Our Top Books & resources for learning about Ancient Greece!
- iamalexandra
- Nov 5, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 9, 2024
Here are some of our favourite resources for finding out about Ancient Greece – books, podcasts, TV programmes, documentaries, puzzles, games and internet research links.
information books about ancient greece
Meet the Ancient Greeks (James Davies, Big Picture Press)
We love this series with quirky, illustrations and bitesize facts. The text is engaging and funny and just the right amount of info to spark interest. It covers daily life, the Trojan War, Greek Gods, myths etc.
Ancient Greece (DK Eyewitness)
We have a few of these DK Eyewitness books at home but often get them from the library for specific topics – they are packed with information and lots of photographs of real artefacts. Not super in-depth but a great starting point.
Greek Myths
There are lots of Greek Myths books about (some more suitable for children than others). We really enjoyed this one – really striking illustrations and good retelling of the stories – enough detail to make them interesting but not too complicated. Factfiles on Gods, Goddesses and mythical creatures too.
The Usborne Illustrated Odyssey
This is a great retelling of Homer’s classic story – written in a way that makes it exciting and easy to follow but doesn’t miss out any of the important bits! Lovely illustrations and a map of the journey at the front. We really enjoyed this one.
Greeking Out – epic retellings of classic Greek myths
We didn’t actually read this book but we LOVE the Greeking Out podcast that is absolutely jam-packed with information – delivered in a lively, funny way. Brilliant to listen to and if this book is in the same style I'm sure it will be just as good. Note: some bits might be better for older readers/listeners.
Weird but True – Greek Mythology (James Davies, Big Picture Press)
Cartoon style illustrations mixed with some real photos of artefacts. Contains lots of info about Gods and Godesses, myths and mythical creatures. Perfect for older children to dip into and has some quizzes and activities at the back.
fictional books about ancient greece
Zeus the Mighty
Funny retellings of Greek adventures featuring Zeus (the hamster) and his friends at the Mount Olympus Pet Centre. For us this was the perfect combination of Greek myths and adventurous animals! There are several book sin the series.
Who Let the Gods Out
Series about a boy who enlists the help of Greek gods to help him defeat the terrible Thanatos and Hypnos – great for younger independent readers. We didn't actually get round to reading these but they were recommended to us and are apparently funny and factual! There are several in this series.
Hour of the Olympics Magic Tree House, Book 16)
Another favourite series, we like these as early reader chapter books or as quick family read alouds. This book is about two children who are transported to Ancient Greece via their magic treehouse to witness the first ever Olympic games. Full of facts. There’s also a non-fiction fact tracker book too.
Percy Jackson Series and Heroes of Olympus Series
We haven’t read this series but they have been recommended to us lots of times. Set in the modern day, about a boy who learns that he is the son of the god Poseidon – apparently great for Harry Potter fans. Better for older, independent readers I think.
Most of these are also available as Audiobooks.
activity books about ancient greece
A Greek Adventure The Histronauts series
Love this graphic novel style book that takes an group of children (and their cat) on an adventure through Ancient Greece. Lots of activity suggestions and some puzzles along the way.
Puzzle Odyssey - An epic maze adventure
The story of Homer’s Odyssey told through a series of puzzles and mazes. We enjoyed this after reading a more detailed version of the story.
General information Books
A Day in the Life of a Caveman, a Queen and Everything Inbetween
One of our absolute favourite series of books! This one has a history focus and introduces Ancient Greece through a Greek vase, statues, an Olympian and philosophers using a comic book style with funny bitesize facts and brilliant illustrations.
Vincent’s Starry Night and Other Stories A Children’s History of Art
Features short stories about Kleitias who was an ancient Athenian vase painter and Phidias the sculptor and architect who designed statues in the Acropolis. These stories a brilliant at evoking the feeling of the time and describing the surroundings.
A Child Through Time The Book of Children’s History
Has a double page spread on a child training to be a Spartan warrior. Doesn’t have lots of detail but is good for comparing what it’s like to be a child now compared to then.
The Big History Timeline What on Earth Wallbook
Brilliant for contextualising history – showing chronological order and what was happening elsewhere in the world at the same time. Folds out to a huge, long illustrated timeline with tons of detail.
The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History
This is a beast of a book that covers every time period. It’s organised chronologically which means if you are just focusing on the history of one specific place it jumps around a bit – we don’t find it the easiest book to use for this reason but it does have an impressive amount of content and offers a good introduction to any historical period.
Listen about ancient greece
We listened to lots of podcasts whilst working on the hands-on activities in the Exploring Ancient Greece topic guide. Here are some that we enjoyed:
• Our favourite podcast on Ancient Greece is Greeking Out from National Geographic
• The History Storytime podcast has an episode on Ancient Greece
• The BBC's History Homeschool has an episode on Ancient Greece
• Cambridge for Kids History Podcasts have several episodes on Ancient Greece:
Introduction to the Ancient Greeks Greek Philosophy – The First Thinkers Ancient Greek Government and Law The Olympic Games
Please note we are not responsible for the content of these podcasts. You may want to listen to them first to ensure they are suitable for your family.
Watch about ancient greece
• If you're in the UK, BBC Teach has some great animations on Ancient Greece and some animated versions of several Greek myths. BBC Bitesize also has lots of short animations.
• TedEd has some videos on Ancient Greece including this one on Plato's Best (and worst) Ideas.
• There is a GoJetters episode on the Parthenon in Ancient Greece – available to watch on BBC iplayer on the UK or on YouTube.
links to help you Research ancient greece
• If you're in the UK, BBC Bitesize has lots of information, games and quizzes on Ancient Greece for younger children.
• 10 Facts about Ancient Greece from National Geographic Kids
• Kids level information on Ancient Greece from Britannica Kids
• Student level information on Ancient Greece from Britannica Kids information on
• DK Find Out about Anicent Greece
• The British Museum has lots of information and photographs of artefacts – also great to visit and they do really great interactive self-guided tours for children of different ages.
• Facts timeline and information on Ancient Greek life and culture on TheShoolRun.com
• Greek gods and mythology on TheShoolRun.com
More ancient greece resources
Find photos, facts and inspiration on our Ancient Greece Pinterest board.
If you’d like to find out about Ancient Egypt with some hands-on activities, check out our Exploring Ancient Greece topic guide – bursting with information and fun, like painting clay pots, designing a labyrinth and training to be a Spartan warrior!
