Greeks, Greek mythology, mythical creatures, humour, short read
Beasts of Olympus: Beast Keeper
by Lucy Coats
Key information
Author: Lucy Coats
Illustrator: David Roberts
Release Date: 2nd July 2007
Book type: Short chapter, 192 pages, paperback
Star rating: ★★★~
Reader level: Growing Reader/ Content (6+)
Series: 1 of 8
Age: Year 2+
Overview
Young Demon's life is turned upside down when his estranged father shows up out of the blue and whisks him away to Olympus, the home of the Greek gods. Confident that his son's love for animals will transfer to beastly and dangerous mythical creatures, Pandemonius abandons his son (again), leaving him with no more than the toga he arrived in and the sole responsibility of every beast in Olympus.
Fearing for his life, Demon must learn the ropes quickly and prove to the creatures that he is fit for the job. But this is no easy feat when half of the creatures are man-killing, armed or extremely gassy. During his time as Beast Keeper, Demon comes across creatures beyond his wildest imagination including Sun Cattle, a griffin, a Nemean Lion, Bronze Birds and an enormous Cretan Bull.
As Demon settles into the smelly stables, he begins the real challenge of healing creatures who have been wounded in battle. But things go from bad to worse when an enraged Hera demands that he heal he beloved (and beheaded) hydra, or face a painful and bone-splintering crash-landing back on earth.
With the guidance of his friend Hephaestus and his magical medicine box, Demon takes on the challenge and proves himself as a worth Keeper of the Beasts.
Key concepts/themes
- Greek mythology
- Mythological creatures
- Personal development
- Humour
- Greeks gods and goddesses
Considerations
- Toilet humour!
Curriculum links
- History: Ancient Greeks
- Geography: Greece
- RfP: Year 3+
Additional teaching opportunities
1. Writing
- Character description (Demon/gods/goddesses)
- Non-chronological report (mythical creature)
- Instructions (how to heal a mythical creature)
- Diary entry (Demon's time in Olympus)
- Letter (home to Demon's mum)
- Persuasive writing (To Hera asking to stay in Olympus)
- Myth
2. Art
- Drawing/clay - mythical creatures
3. History
- Greek mythology
Vocabulary
This book contains plenty of Tier 3 vocabulary linked to the topic of Ancient Greece!
| Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|
| relieved, beckoned, crooned, flaring, marvellous, reassuring, grimaced, vicious, exhausted, resentfully, muttered | ambrosia, hydra, Hephaestus, Hera, satyr, Dionysus, Pandemonius, forge, Tartarus |
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