Customer Reviews
The Allen Kids Review 
2008-04-16
Our mom just finished reading The Children's Homer to us. It was interesting. The story is about people and adventures. We liked the part when someone sings a song about Odysseus building the horse. It's the children's homer and we think you should learn more about the journey of Odysseus. You will also learn about Achilles and some of the battles of Troy. We like that Odysseus was most wanting to get home to his family.
Ages 10, 8, and 7.
What Every Parent Should Buy for their Children. 2008-01-19
This beautifully written book by the famous Irish poet should be read by, or to, every child to give them an introduction to the most important work (Not including Religion) ever composed.The story here told has inspired people of all civilisations for nearly 3,000 years. No person should be allowed reach adulthood without having experienced some aspects of Greek classical civilisation and these action-packed tales of heroism, humanity, weakness, tragedy and joy are a great starting-point. A sampling of the stories of the Iliad, Odyssey and of other Greek myths and heroes can be the start of a lifetime of fascination.
Challenging but wonderful 2008-01-09
Although the language in this book is rather challenging, we still found it accessible and enjoyable. These classic stories can get too "watered-down" in the easier versions, which takes away the richness and depth that has made them classics in the first place. My 12 year old homeschooled son looked at these and Rosemary Sutcliff's Black Ships Before Troy and Wanderings of Odysseus and ultimately chose this one, but the Sutcliff books are a good alternative if the advanced language proves to be too much of a barrier. She has several good classic retellings. Either way, these stories should be a part of every child's education--they're wonderful!
Wonderfully retold story of Odysseus 2007-05-10
I read this book to my 7 year old, homeschooled daughter. Her children's choir is singing the story of Odysseus and this book brought the songs to life for her. She never wanted me to put it down. The language is sophisticated but she could follow the story and was entranced by it.
Homer for Children Today! 
2007-03-26
Ho hum--I will never get my 5th grader to read this tome--however moving the story line and imagery. It is too thick to easily add to a history block of Ancient Civilizations around the world. The language is too dated. The narrations dwarfs the action. The standard, for good youth literature today, requires writers to SHOW the meaning and NOT TELL IT.
Thankfully, author Geraldine McCaughrean wrote a wonderfully telling of GILGAMESH, so I turned around and ordered her retelling of Homer's THE ILLIAD and THE ODYSSEY which is titled, ODYSSEUS.
Does anyone want my copy of Padric's version. The cover art is great.
The Children's Homer 
2007-03-22
Travel back to a mythical time when Achilles, aided by the gods, waged war against the Trojans. And join Odysseus on his journey through murky waters, facing obstacles like the terrifying Scylla and whirring Charybdis, the beautiful enchantress Circe, and the land of the raging Cyclôpes. Using narrative threads from
The Iliad and
The Odyssey, Padraic Colum weaves a stunning adventure with all the drama and power that Homer intended.
A classic brought to life even for children 2007-02-27
Three cheers: for Padraic Colum, who was a natural storyteller and interpreter of the ancient myths; for Dover Publications, who offers this reprint and other classics dirt cheap (Dover editions are generally five bucks or less); and for the parent who loves these stories and can read them intelligently to young children.
Parents: there are many, many things in these kinds of stories that will not be self-evident to children if they are not explained: language, relationships, cause and effect, the Greek pantheon, etc. You must, as appropriate, stop and talk things over with your child. It will be a better reading experience for the both of you, and it will do wonders for your child.
My son, knowing that Odysseus was finally going to confront the wooers of this wife Penelope, was besides himself with excitement as the tension mounted. He did not mind at all the side diversions into other stories--by this time he understands that the ancient Greeks told stories within stories within stories (they didn't have TV! or the Internet!). His patience paid off, and Colum's description of the final scene was most satisfying. This, together with Colum's telling of the legend of the Golden Fleece, Jason, and the Argonauts (available in another Dover edition--see my Amazon review), are highly recommended as a superb introduction to these classic tales.
Most influential book of my childhood 2007-01-28
As a kid, I loved this book.
As a young adult, I've gone to college and become a Classics major. Now I'm reading the Aeneid in Latin, and I've really begun to appreciate what a wonderful book this is!
I have no way of judging this book's suitability for "kids in general." For me, though, this book instilled a love of mythology and history that has stayed with me through my life so far. I strongly suggest it!
Excellent resource 2005-12-13
I'm reading this to my homeschooled 10 year old son, and he loves it. He's very interested in mythology (Greek and Roman), and loves hearing the names of Gods and Goddesses he's been studying. My middle daughter would probably not be ready for the same story, but each child progesses differently and may enjoy hearing it in another year, especially with some fun mythological unit studies or prep work of another sort in advance.
Great Introduction to Homer 2005-10-17
This is a wonderful introduction to the world of Homer and the Greek heros of the Trojan war. As previous reviewers have mentioned this is a story combining The Illiad and Odyssey. By today standards the language could be archaic, but if you are teaching in the classical method I find it necessary to learn the prose of the past in order to read the classics of the ancient world. If nothing else it promotes thought and requires the reader to thoroughly pay attention.
This book flows poetically and captivates your imagination. Your children will not be disappointed.
