Ancient Greece books for KS2 children
Children’s books about Ancient Greece and the Ancient Greeks. The Ancient Greeks, a civilization that flourished from the 8th to the 4th century BC, stand as a beacon of intellectual and cultural innovation. From the inception of democracy in Athens to groundbreaking advances in mathematics, philosophy, literature, and the arts, reading about the Ancient Greeks will provide children with information-rich history, geography, and culture.
From the philosophical musings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to the enduring tragedies of playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides, students are exposed to profound ideas and moral dilemmas that continue to shape our understanding of ethics, governance, and human nature. The mysteries of the Olympic Games, the architectural marvels of the Parthenon, and the intricate myths of gods and heroes all foster curiosity and cultural appreciation.
This list contains 60 titles, with a range of nonfiction, historical fiction, myths, adventures, picture books, graphic novels, and activity books suitable for school libraries, independent reading and topic teaching in KS2. This list features books by Sue and Steve Weatherill, Chae Strathie, James Davies, Dominic Sandbrook, Maz Evans, Saviour Pirotta, Caroline Lawrence and Marcia Williams.
Books about the Ancient Greeks for children in KS2 – our recommendations
What It Was Like to an an Ancient Greek by David Long, illustrated by Stefano Tambellini<
David Long’s What It Was Like to Be an Ancient Greek offers a lively and easy-to-understand look at one of history’s most influential civilisations. From philosophy and science to art and sports, the Greeks laid the foundations of Western culture. Long dives into daily life, from farming to myth-making, and explores the lasting influence of figures like Alexander the Great. Perfect for young readers aged 9+
The Greeks by Jonny Marx. 
Greek Activity Book by Sue Weatherill and Steve Weatherill. 
British Museum: So You Think You’ve Got It Bad? A Kid’s Life in Ancient Greece by Chae Strathie. The Histronauts: A Greek Adventure by Frances Durkin and Grace Cooke
The Histronauts delivers a winning combination of solid historical detail, comic strips to depict key events, quizzes, challenges and activities about the ancient Greeks. Presented as a time travel adventure, Luna, Newton and Nani take us back to the classical period, taking in culture, history and everyday life. Along the way, the reader is invited to help them make things and solve puzzles. It’s a format that brings the period alive in this highly recommended book for KS2 classrooms and children aged 7-11.
Hands-On History! Ancient Greece by Richard Tames. 
Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green. 
The Iliad and the Odyssey by Marcia Williams. 
Greek Myths by Jean Menzies. 
Discover and Do: Ancient Greeks by Jane Lacey. 
Explore!: Ancient Greeks by Jane Bingham. Meet the Ancient Greeks by James Davies
A jam-packed history of the Ancient Greeks with double page spreads each covering a different period, war, aspect of culture, legacy or famous person. James Davies’ book is thorough, yet accessible with vibrant illustrations – making it an ideal addition to primary humanities resource banks and KS2 library topic books.
Brave and Brilliant Girls from the Greek Myths by Rosie Dickins and Susannah Davidson. 
Greek Heroes by Marcia Williams. 
40 Inspiring Icons: Greek Gods and Heroes: Meet 40 mythical immortals by Sylvie Baussier. 
You Wouldn’t Want to Be in the Ancient Greek Olympics! by Michael Ford. 
How to Draw Ancient Greek Stuff Real Easy by Shoo Rayner. 
Find Tom in Time: Ancient Greece by Fatti Burke. Alexander The Great (Adventures in Time) by Dominic Sandbrook
This epic middle-grade historical true story follows Alexander the Great from his early dreams of adventure to the height of his power and empire, and his eventual fall. With pace and intrigue that will appeal to English teachers looking for a more ambitious class reader, this is a meticulous real-life novel that will also be at home in upper primary and lower secondary school libraries. Read our full review.
Myths, Monsters and Mayhem in Ancient Greece by James Davies
Myths, Monsters and Mayhem in Ancient Greece by James Davies introduces young readers to Greek mythology through bright and engaging comic strips. 8 to 12-year-olds will encounter six tales filled with themes of love, bravery, and adventure, including Orpheus’s journey to the Underworld and Theseus’s quest against the Minotaur in this large format paperback. With its blend of bite-sized information and vibrant illustrations, this book will spark historical curiosity and imagination. Highly recommended.
Myths, Monsters and Mayhem in Ancient Greece by James Davies. 
Julius Zebra by Gary Northfield. 
Gods and Warriors: The Outsiders by Michelle Paver. 
Mission to Marathon by Geoffrey Trease. 
Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan. 
The Tale of Troy by Roger Lancelyn Green. 
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Slave in Ancient Greece! by Fiona Macdonald. 
Visitor’s Guide to Ancient Greece by Lesley Sims. 
The Orchard Book of Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean. 
Beast Keeper (Beasts of Olympus 1) by Lucy Coats. 
Question of History: Why Did the Ancient Greeks Ride Elephants by Tim Cooke. 
The Genius Of: the Ancient Greeks by Izzi Howell. 
Ode to the Ancient Greeks: A Cross-Curricular Song by Matthew Holmes. 
Why Should I Care About the Ancient Greeks? by Don Nardo. 
Hera’s Terrible Trap! by Stella Tarakson. 
Who Let the Gods Out? by Maz Evans. 
Simply the Quest by Maz Evans. 
Beyond the Odyssey by Maz Evans. 
Against All Gods by Maz Evans. 
The Mark of the Cyclops by Saviour Pirotta. 
Secret of the Oracle: an Ancient Greek Mystery by Saviour Pirotta. Adventure in Athens by Caroline Lawrence
In Adventure in Athens, everyday sights, sounds and smells, the casual brutality, the strange conventions and the convincing sense that people in history always regard themselves as advanced, are all skilfully presented and interwoven with a gripping suspense story. Highly recommended for UKS2. Read our full review.
Pirates of Poseidon by Saviour Pirotta. 
Shadow of the Centaurs by Saviour Pirotta. 
It’s All Greek to Me by Charlotte Higgins. 
KS2 Discover & Learn: History – Ancient Greeks Study Book by CGP. 
KS2 Discover & Learn: History – Ancient Greeks Activity Book by CGP. 
At Home with the Ancient Greeks by Tim Cooke. Mythologica by Dr Stephen P Kershaw
A host of characters from Greek myths leap out of every page in this startlingly vibrant large-format hardback. An astonishing amount of detail adorns each double-page spread, which delves into the lives, stories, facts, and events surrounding each figure. This is the school library equivalent of a statement coffee table centrepiece. Perfect for your Ancient Greece themed interactive KS2 classroom display.
Ancient Greeks by Stephanie Turnbull. 
The Ancient Greeks by Kirsty Holmes. 
The Ancient Greeks by Louise Spilsbury. 
Mythology by Dugald Steer. 
Alexander the Great and the Ancient Greeks by David Gill. 
How to Be an Ancient Greek by Scoular Anderson. 
Ancient Greeks and Why They Matter to Us by Juliet Kerrigan. 
Forensic Investigations of the Ancient Greeks by Heather C. Hudak. 
Greek Myths by Marcia Williams. Click the button below to buy all the books in this Ancient Greeks topic book list, or class sets of any of these books and many more from Bookshop.org UK.
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Ancient Greece resources for KS2 teachers
- BBC Teach features a range of videos and activities covering myths, gods, politics, society, the Olympic Games and city-states in ancient times.
- The National Geographic Kids site has primary resources about Alexander the Great, Atlantis, Greek mythology, the Acropolis and life under Ancient Greek rule.
- The Historical Association provides a free introduction to teaching the Ancient Greeks, with links to a curriculum plan and topic pack.
- The Royal Armouries features a free teachers’ pack and online resource for KS2 children, including videos, a photo bank and ‘Time Travel Radio’.
- Whizz Pop Bang Magazine offers a cross-curricular Ancient Greece lesson pack for KS2 linking history, design and technology and science. It includes a differentiated lesson plan, a PowerPoint, a printable Greek theatre and a text about ancient Greek ideas. Whizz Pop Bang is featured on our recommended magazines for children list.
- The Guardian Teacher Network includes a teaching article with ideas for exploring ancient Greek life, achievements, philosophy and myths.
- The British Museum has an extensive learning resource aimed at KS2 teachers and schools, including a virtual tour and interactive workshop.
- Oak National Academy has a free Year 4 history unit with six lessons, slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews covering Ancient Greek civilisation.
- Puffin Schools offers a KS2 resource pack built around Percy Jackson and Ancient Greek myths, culture, religion and legends, with activities designed for four lessons.
