Explore Padraic Colum books at New West Press.

Padraic Colum's The Children's Homer retells the stories of the Trojan War and Odysseus's difficult return in prose for younger readers. Heroes, rivalries, journeys, and strange encounters give the book a connected narrative life while introducing material from the Iliad and the Odyssey. This collection centers on Colum's adaptation, rather than a direct presentation of the original epic poems. Readers can follow the action while learning the relationships among major figures, then compare the retelling with other versions or approach Homer later with a clearer sense of the stories.

Myths and legends can be enjoyed as adventures while also opening conversations about a culture's heroes, values, and imagined world. Readers may follow a single episode, trace recurring characters, or compare different versions of a familiar story. Keeping a simple list of names and relationships can make a longer cycle easier to follow. Explore the editions below to begin.