The Great Alexander the Great

Title: The Great Alexander the Great
Author: Joe Lasker
Major Themes: Alexander the Great, Greece
Synopsis: With a combination of story and pictures, young children can learn about Alexander the Great and his conquest of the ancient world.

I don’t know if this is the best picture book of Alexander the Great’s life or not, but it’s the one we came across. I like the pictures; they remind me of pictures from Greek vases but yet are obviously modern as well. They give a feel for Alexander’s life while not showing the gore of his battles. The Great Alexander the Great, being a picture book, cannot give a complete account of the conqueror’s life, but it sure hits the highlights. Of course, it begins with the story of Alexander taming Bucephalus, his famous horse. I also enjoyed the part about his conquest of Tyre, and how his causeway is still used today. This is a great introduction to one of the most famous men in history, for young children.

WARNING: Alexander swears by Zeus one time, and seeks guidance from his “gods” a couple of times.