The Iliad and the Odyssey: Marcia Williams

We were more than pleased with the book. It told the stories contained in the Iliad in a comic manner. The illustrations enhanced the written material. If you want a delightful introduction into the characters of Odysseus and Achilles this may well be the book for you. It is a shame in the take a look section of the book you mostly get to see the illustrations of warriors which robs you of a chance to observe the sparkling wit of Marcia Williams. It is the language young fresh and punchy that makes you look forward to the next burst of enlightened humour. They are wonderful stories that have travelled through thousands of years with good reason. Enjoy!

This book was bought as a gift for a six year old grandchild. In the drawings and texts of the format used, these great stories are somewhat concentrated. However, that is good, as this book is not one to be swiftly consumed and put on the pile, but is one to be revisited over and over in keeping with the unfolding of the great sprawling tales themselves. As he reads with his parents or grandparents, and later on his own as he gets older, the import of the panorama will expand in tune with his or her ever growing perception and intelligence. It is therefore an exciting ante-room to later and maturer reading of these great truth-bearing myths. And - just as good - adults can find in it also a scene-setter for their delayed tackling of the written trove they always intended to tackle but didn't!

I bought this to help with inclusion during writing lessons on Gillian Cross’ Odyssey in Y5. The whole class love it and it also provides a great visual scaffold for those that need it as we work on different parts of the story.

As a teacher I find these books so useful as they tell the stories well and yet are not too long-winded for the lessons. In addition the illustrations are so colourful and detailed the children always gain so much more from them. We have often created several detailed paragraphs each describing a character or scenario from one of the larger scenes. My own children have also enjoyed them as have visiting little ones.

Well told, with funny cartoon pictures

Very much engaged my young boy of 8.suited well for younger children too.

It's a gem! My 6 year old absolutely loves this book and other books by Marcia Williams. This one and the Greek Myths are his favourites. Informative, educational and funny. My son has become our in-house expert on the Trojan war and Greek heroes and gods.

Comic layout and easily understood language. Limited but useful as an alternative presentation of these myths. Makes them easier to understand but looses the poetic language and style. Children love the funny illustrations.