If you’re looking to add high-interest graphic novels with prime educational value to your classroom library, you’ll love Nat Geo Kids’ “Greeking Out” series. It’s based on the popular “Greeking Out” podcast and is designed for kids ages 8 to 12. The books feature fun, tongue-in-cheek retellings of classic Greek myths, blending humor with accurate historical details about ancient Greece. Here’s what makes them unique:
- The series: Titles include Greeking Out: Epic Retellings of Classic Greek Myths, Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians, and Greeking Out: Tales from the Underworld.
- Content: Each book includes about 20 Greek myths, covering famous stories like Persephone’s journey to the Underworld, Heracles and his 12 Labors, and lesser-known myths featuring scheming gods, heroic mortals, and mythical monsters.
- Style: The tone of the series is playful and engaging, with laugh-out-loud storytelling and dynamic illustrations. The narrator often uses modern references (like the “Oracle of Wi-Fi”) to make the myths relatable to kids.
- Educational value: Alongside the stories, the books provide real facts about Greek culture and mythology, making them both entertaining and informative.
Illinois teacher Adam Peterson, who’s spent 13 years in the classroom, was as impressed by this series as we were. Here’s what he had to say about the books and how to use them in the classroom.
For which grade levels and subject areas do you think the “Greeking Out” books are best suited?
These books would be great for 2nd–5th grade students as read-alouds or for independent reading. Each book serves as a fantastic introduction to Greek Mythology, Gods and Goddesses, and tales many of my students have never heard before. The books would also be great for older students who are doing a study on Greek Mythology as a fun, lighthearted way to explore the stories and myths more.
Does this product align with any specific standards or curriculum guidelines?
The Nat Geo Kids “Greeking Out” books are primarily designed as engaging narrative retellings of Greek myths for ages 7 to 10 (roughly grades 3–7), but they are not marketed as a formal standards-aligned curriculum. However, there is an Educators’ Guide for “Greeking Out” that includes discussion questions and activities that can be adapted to classroom use. These activities focus on:
- Character analysis
- Motivation and conflict
- Setting and theme
- Connections to the natural world
These align well with Common Core ELA standards for literature, such as:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K–5.1 (Ask and answer questions about key details)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K–5.2 (Determine theme, recount stories)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K–5.3 (Describe characters, settings, events)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K–5.4–6 (Vocabulary, point of view, structure)
The guide does not explicitly list Common Core codes, but its suggested activities are clearly aligned with these standards for reading literature and comprehension.
How did you (or would you) use this product in your classroom?
I have mainly used these books as read-alouds, but students have already started asking if they can take them home! One student in particular keeps asking about the books and wondering when he can take one home.
Besides checking out the free downloadable guide, some fun activities could include:
- Write your own mythological tale with a made-up hero or heroine.
- Draw/create a mythological creature.
- Transform your classroom into a mythological world with art projects and other decorations to retell the Greek myths in your own way.
- Retell the myths in your own way by changing the ending, for example.
How did your students react to the books?
Their interest was piqued from the start! Once they saw the covers and I flipped through some of the graphics, they were excited for our story time. As soon as I read a few pages of the first book, they were hooked and wanted me to read more. They asked right away if they could check them out and take them home to read! 🙂
How would you sum up your overall experience with “Greeking Out”?
I’m really excited about these books. As someone who isn’t super knowledgeable about Greek mythology, these make it easy to understand and teach! I can’t wait to read more stories from the books to students and do some extension projects from the Educators’ Guide.
How easy was it to use and implement in your classroom?
Very easy! The kids were super excited once they saw the amazing graphics in the books. Not only do these books make great read-alouds, but students will love exploring the graphics and tales on their own regardless of their reading level. The vibrant images really do bring the stories to life.
The graphics and fun, kid-friendly way the stories are written make it a great series to hook learners with. My students were fascinated from the second I showed them the cover images.
What were the top two features you liked most about “Greeking Out”?
- The graphics—amazing pictures that help my younger readers understand the stories and retell them in their own way.
- The Educators’ Guide with extension activities and writing prompts is amazing. I love having activities that I can pull from to help keep the learning going after reading. It’s such a time-saver.
What makes “Greeking Out” special or unique compared to other books or series you’ve used?
I have never found Greek mythology books for kids that are as fun to read and share. When I hear the term “Greek mythology,” I initially think of the textbooks and study guides I used in high school, but not now! The “Greeking Out” series makes Greek mythology easy for students to understand with the beautiful graphics that bring the myths to life.
How will “Greeking Out” save you time or make teaching easier?
Books like these make it easy to teach new things because they hook students right away. Having the Educators’ Guide full of discussion questions, writing prompts, and extension activities makes it easy to implement these topics with very little prep.
How do you plan to use “Greeking Out” again in the future?
The students have already asked when we can continue reading them, so I’ll be reading more stories from the series soon. I also plan to have students do some writing responses and creative writing after we read more.
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