Skip to content
Meet the Classics
Cover of Meet the Classics: The Odyssey, retold by Sean Lee, with Odysseus in a red tunic and leather armor standing on a ship’s deck at sunset, with his crew in silhouette behind him

Meet the Classics

The Odyssey

Based on the ancient Greek poem by Homer, retold by Sean Lee for ages 6–9

Ages 6–9, 72 pages

Clever King Odysseus faces a one-eyed giant, a magical enchantress and singing Sirens on his long voyage home to his faithful family on Ithaca.

The great war is over, but brave King Odysseus still has not come home. On the rocky island of Ithaca, his wise wife Penelope and his son Telemachus wait and hope, while greedy suitors fill the palace and eat up all the food. Far across the sea, Odysseus is lost among enchanted islands.

To get home he will have to outwit a grumpy one-eyed giant, escape a sorceress who turns sailors into pigs, sail past the singing Sirens and steer between a sea monster and a roaring whirlpool. With the goddess Athena watching over him, can clever Odysseus find his way back to the people he loves? A complete retelling of Homer’s ancient Greek poem for ages 6–9, with an illustration on every page.

Peek inside the bookThe Odyssey for Kids: A Parent’s GuideThe Odyssey summary for kids

Peek Inside

Queen Penelope secretly pulling the threads out of her weaving at night by the light of a tiny oil lamp
Penelope was just as clever as Odysseus. Every night, while the palace slept, she crept back to her loom. A tiny oil lamp lit her work. With gentle fingers, she carefully pulled out every thread she had woven that day. Snip, pull, tug. In the morning, the cloth looked no closer to done than before. For three whole years, this secret trick bought her time. It kept the greedy men from stealing her home.
Prince Telemachus and his crew sailing away from Ithaca in a wooden ship with a white sail under a pink and gold sunrise
The morning sun painted the sky pink and gold. Prince Telemachus and his trusty crew pushed their wooden ship into the surf. They hoisted a crisp white canvas sail. A fresh breeze caught the ship and sent it skimming over frothing blue waves. As Ithaca faded into the mist, the prince steered straight toward the kingdom of Pylos.

Meet the Characters

Character guide
  • Illustrated portrait of Odysseus from Meet the Classics: The Odyssey

    Odysseus

    King of Ithaca • Clever and brave

  • Illustrated portrait of Penelope from Meet the Classics: The Odyssey

    Penelope

    Queen of Ithaca • Patient and wise

  • Illustrated portrait of Athena from Meet the Classics: The Odyssey

    Athena

    Goddess of wisdom • Powerful guide

  • Illustrated portrait of Antinous from Meet the Classics: The Odyssey

    Antinous

    Rude palace suitor • Greedy and proud

  • Illustrated portrait of Circe from Meet the Classics: The Odyssey

    Circe

    Island sorceress • Clever enchantress

  • Illustrated portrait of Eumaeus from Meet the Classics: The Odyssey

    Eumaeus

    Faithful swineherd • Kind and loyal

Free Activities

Browse all activities

Get Free Activities and Updates

For parents and teachers: join our list and receive a free printable activity pack, plus news about new books.

We’ll only email you about Meet the Classics. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.