by Jean B.

Greek myths are having a moment. From the Percy Jackson series where Greek gods inhabit today’s world, to Madeline Miller’s feminist novel Circe, to the blues and jazz songs driving the hit musical Hadestown, ancient stories keep popping up in new guises.

There’s a reason myths have stuck around for thousands of years. The core elements – the heroes, quests, relationships, life lessons – are memorable and timeless, but not static. These stories can be told in endless ways and the details suited to the times in which we live. They’re riveting and relatable whether recounted around a fire, in a book, on a stage, or even – in our electronic age – on a podcast.  

Enter the epically popular creators of Greeking Out, a National Geographic Kids podcast and book series. This fall, Kenny Curtis, a 30-year veteran of kids’ radio, and his daughter, Jillian Hughes, are bringing their funny, family-friendly renditions of classic world myths to HCLS. The Greeking Out podcast started in 2019 as an extension of the National Geographic book series, Zeus the Mighty, but gained great popularity in its own right and now includes three print books, each a collection of 20 stories and associated sidebars (silly, snarky, informational), as well as comic illustrations, a glossary of people and places with pronunciation guides, and maps of ancient places referenced in the tales. Whew!  Material of mythic proportions! Irresistible titles like “Three Scary Old Ladies and One Dirty Eyeball” and “The Princess, the Cow, and the Giant with 100 Eyes,” instantly pull in readers, young and old alike.

I saw this for myself on September 17, when an enthusiastic crowd at HCLS Central Branch listened with delight to Curtis’s rendition of Persephone’s story. Maybe you think you know it? Probably not like this! How did she really feel about the Underworld? Was she tricked or was she the trickster? Curtis gave his listeners lots to think about. And while the storyteller helped the audience see different perspectives and possibilities, he didn’t have free rein with the facts. Fortunately, the Oracle of Wi-Fi (modern descendant of the one that resided in Delphi, and bearing a close resemblance to Jillian Hughes) weighed in regularly to bestow all-knowing wisdom, definitions, cultural tidbits, and little-known facts. For example, did you know that strawberries are NOT berries? And acorns are fruit?   

An exciting takeaway, for sure, but even more noteworthy was the atmosphere in the room. Demonstrating the power of myth and storytelling skills, Curtis and Hughes held the audience of eight- to ten-year-olds (and their grownups) without screens, devices, or even togas –  just dramatic voices and entertaining material.   

If you’re thinking, “I’ve got to see this for myself!” – you’re in luck! The Greeking Out authors offer two more presentations in October: 

Thursday, October 16 at HCLS Miller Branch at 6 pm

Saturday, October 18 at HCLS Glenwood Branch at 12 pm 

Greeking Out books on sale from local independent bookseller The Last Word, and the authors will gladly sign them. Registration preferred, as space is limited.

In the meantime, check out a copy from the library: 
Book 1: Epic Retellings of Classic Greek Myths is available in print and as an e-book
Book 2: Heroes and Olympians is also available in print and as an e-book
Book 3: Tales from the Underworld, reaches into myths from other regions of the world. Set to be published on October 7, the latest book can be placed on hold.

While you’re waiting, listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Radio, Spotify, or YouTube. And for kids who just can’t get enough of these classic characters and stories, lots of other entertaining modern versions can keep them reading, including:

Goddess Girls/Thunder Girls by Joan Holub. Available as chapter books, first chapter books, and graphic novels. 

Myth-o-Mania by Kate McMullan. Chapter book series featuring classic characters telling their stories.

Heroes in Training various authors. Short chapter books with illustrations. 

You Choose Greek Myths various authors. Interactive stories put the reader in charge. 

Olympians by George O’Connor. Graphic novel series for kids, each volume about a particular god. 

Weird but True Know-It-All: Greek Mythology by Sarah Wassner Flynn. Trivia for fact fans.  

Be part of something epic and start Greeking Out!

Jean is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch. She loves talking about books with people of all ages, but especially enjoys leading the Heavy Medals book club for fourth and fifth graders, exploring award-winning books of all genres.