The Beautiful Stories of Life

Six Greeks Myths, Retold

By: Cynthia Rylant

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Winner of the Newbery Medal, Cynthia Rylant has also received the Caldecott Award and numerous other honors. In The Beautiful Stories of Life, Rylant vividly retells the Greek myths of Pandora, Pygmalion, Narcissus, Perse­phone, Orpheus, and Psyche. Exploring classic themes of love, destruction, vanity, and redemption, these tales will introduce young listeners to the exciting world of Greek mythology.

©2008 Cynthia Rylant (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Wonderful!

I HATED Greek Myths as a kid (thought they were boring Greek soap operas), but my children (ages 4 and 7) and I really love these stories. These stories appeal on multiple levels -- fantasy and action for the kids and the illumination of "life lessons" for the adults. The author helpfully puts some of the "life lessons" in plain English, which is of benefit to us sleepy parents who don't want to have to read between the lines of ancient metaphor. It's amazing how these Greek myths really do illustrate the timeless patterns in human nature and our interactions that we see all around us today. The narrator is very enjoyable to listen to, and the stories are told simply without becoming simplistic.

not the usual but very close

If you could sum up The Beautiful Stories of Life in three words, what would they be?

The tales are slightly more neutral than the originals, less blame, less bad guy, more like life. A great version for today's children!