Kid’s Books Found in the 200s

With a new month, it’s time to start a new series of blog posts! This time we’re going to take a closer look at the Dewey Decimal System. For each class of numbers, I’ll share twelve specific titles for kids that you might find in that class. Before we get started, let me share a little information about the Dewey Decimal System and then we can dig in!

The Dewey Decimal System, created by Melvil Dewey in 1876 was created to organize books based on discipline and subject. The system is broken down into ten classes, each divided into ten divisions, and each of those divided into ten sections. Each subject matter has a three-digit that explains where it belongs with the option to include decimal places to further divide the section. For example, a cookbook is found in:

• 600 – Technology
  • 640 – Home economics and family management
    • 641 – Food and drink
      • 641.5 – Cooking and cookbooks

While the system has been updated through the years, criticism remains as the Dewey Decimal System is extremely Eurocentric and treatment of women, people of color, and other minorities continues to need updates (which can take years). Some public libraries have even abandoned the Dewey Decimal System in favor of other systems that either make more sense for their communities or systems that are better balanced.

Next up? The 200s. If you’ve got a kid who asks big questions, similarly to the philosophy found in the 100s, the 200s is where you’ll find books about religion. As I mentioned above, the Dewey Decimal System was created with a very specific viewpoint. A perfect example can be found in the 200s. From 200 – 289 is for books all about Christianity and from 290 – 299 is for all the rest of the religions in the world. That being said, you will find books about all religions here as well as mythologies of the past.

The next time you stop at your local public library, swing by the nonfiction section and take a look at what you might find in the 200s! And at home, you can check out LibraryThing’s MDS – you can click on each class and see how things are organized at each level.

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Kid’s Books Found in the 200s

Amazing Immortals: A Guide to Gods and Goddesses Around the World by Dinah Williams

With heroic deeds, family drama, pulse-pounding battles, and shape-shifting magic, mythology fascinates us all. But even the biggest enthusiasts find it hard to keep track of who’s who!

Packed with facts and full-color, lush illustrations from 17 international artists, Dinah Williams’s Amazing Immortals is a fascinating introduction to these larger-than-life gods and goddesses, highlighting their big personalities, famous adventures, formidable powers, family trees, animal companions, and appearances in pop culture.

Organized by theme—from gods of creation to gods of death and the underworld; from gods of water to gods of fire; from gods of love to gods of war—this diverse encyclopedia features both familiar and underrepresented deities.

Filled with betrayal, intrigue, romance, and impossible feats, their captivating stories entertain us, explain our world, and help answer some of life’s biggest questions.

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire

In print for over fifty years, D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths has introduced generations to Greek mythology—and continues to enthrall young readers.

Here are the greats of ancient Greece—gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters—as freshly described in words and pictures as if they were alive today.

No other volume of Greek mythology has inspired as many young readers as this timeless classic. Both adults and children alike will find this book a treasure for years to come.

Feathered Serpents and the Five Suns by Duncan Tonatiuh

Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent. To continue, he first had to retrieve the sacred bones of creation guarded by Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld. Gathering his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament for good luck, Feathered Serpent embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind.

Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica. With his instantly recognizable, acclaimed art style and grand storytelling, Tonatiuh recounts a thrilling creation tale of epic proportions.

Go and Do Likewise!: The Parables and Wisdom of Jesus by John Hendrix

But Jesus was going somewhere.
His journey to find those most in need of him began anew each morning.
Jesus walked . . . and ever since, people have followed him.

Through parables of the good Samaritan and the prodigal son, the lost sheep and the beatitudes, Jesus taught his disciples the redeeming power of sacrificial love and showed mercy to everyone around him—especially the sick, the poor, and the downtrodden.

In this inspirational and richly illustrated book, John Hendrix brings to life the wisdom of Jesus. Interweaving hand lettering with his signature, award-winning art style, Hendrix captures the spirit of Jesus’s timeless message that will resonate with readers of any Christian faith.

Gods and Heroes: Mythology Around the World by Korwin Briggs

Before there was Batman, Wonder Woman, or Black Panther…there was Indra, Hindu king of gods, who battled a fearsome snake to save the world from drought. Athena, the powerful Greek goddess of wisdom who could decide the fate of battles before they even began. Okuninushi, the Japanese hero who defeated eighty brothers to become king and then traded it all for a chance at immortality.

Featuring more than 70 characters from 23 cultures around the world, this A-to-Z encyclopedia of mythology is a who’s who of powerful gods and goddesses, warriors and kings, enchanted creatures and earthshaking giants whose stories have been passed down since the beginning of time—and are now given fresh life for a new generation of young readers.

My Little Book of Big Jewish Holidays by Hannah Shafiroff

Celebrate and learn about ten Jewish holidays with this inviting and warmhearted treasury. Perfect for reading together, this collection explains when we celebrate, why we celebrate, how we celebrate, and what we say on the holidays all through the year.

My Little Book of Big Jewish Holidays features clear descriptions of Jewish history and traditions, easy-to-follow pronunciations of important Hebrew words, and vibrant art showcasing the diversity of modern Judaism.

This appealing and practical book is perfect for children who are beginning to learn about their faith as well as for adults looking for a resource to guide their family through every meaningful celebration!

Holidays introduced in the book include Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu Bi’Shvat, Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot.

Norse Tales: Stories from Across the Rainbow Bridge by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love

Step back into a sweeping landscape of green glades and glaciers where dwarves, frost giants, and ghosts roam and where gods and goddesses work their magic for Middle Earth, sometimes crossing the great rainbow bridge to come to the aid of humans. Five gripping new tales by Kevin Crossley-Holland plumb Norse mythology as never before, while Jeffrey Alan Love’s illustrations give the epic figures bold new life. Eerie, lyrical, and arresting, this must-have companion book to Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor, and Loki is the ideal gift for fantasy and mythology fans as well as newcomers to Viking lore.

The Orchard Book of Roman Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark

A wonderfully rich and varied collection of fifteen stories from Roman mythology, retold for today’s young readers. Here are all the famous myths from the birth of Venus, to the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus. The great gods and goddesses, including Jupiter, Mars and Diana, are brought vividly to life by Emma Chichester Clark’s beautiful illustrations that perfectly reflect the liveliness of Geraldine McCaughrean’s gripping retellings.

Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods by Rick Riordan, illustrated by John Rocco

A publisher in New York asked me to write down what I know about the Greek gods, and I was like, Can we do this anonymously? Because I don’t need the Olympians mad at me again. But if it helps you to know your Greek gods, and survive an encounter with them if they ever show up in your face, then I guess writing all this down will be my good deed for the week.

So begins Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods, in which the son of Poseidon adds his own magic–and sarcastic asides–to the classics. He explains how the world was created, then gives listeners his personal take on a who’s who of ancients, from Apollo to Zeus. Percy does not hold back. “If you like horror shows, blood baths, lying, stealing, backstabbing, and cannibalism, then read on, because it definitely was a Golden Age for all that.”

Ramayana for Kids by Penguin Books

Ramayana for Kids brings one of India’s greatest epics to life in a way that is fun, engaging, and deeply meaningful for children. This beautifully illustrated book is a gateway to timeless values and cultural heritage.

Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace, and Courage by Carey Wallace, illustrated by Nick Thornborrow

From Augustine to Mother Teresa (officially canonized as St. Teresa of Calcutta), discover seventy of the best-known and best-loved saints through their riveting stories, filled with history, adventure, and inspiration.

Written with an emphasis on the adventurous life and strong character of each saint, these stories are as exciting as any Greek myth and as inspiring as any tale about knights or superheroes.

Meet beloved saints like:

• Joan of Arc, whose transcendent faith compelled her to lead an army when the king’s courage failed.
• Francis of Assisi, whose gentleness tamed a man-eating wolf.
• Valentine, a bishop in the time of ancient Rome, who spoke so often of Christ’s love that his saint’s day, February 12, has been associated with courtly love since the Middle Ages.
• St. Thomas Aquinas, the great teacher.
• Peter Claver, who cared for hundreds of thousands of people on slave ships after their voyage as captives.
• Bernadette, whose vision of Mary instructed her to dig the spring that became the healing waters of Lourdes.
• And many more!

Each saint is illustrated in a dramatic and stylized full-color portrait, and included in every entry are the saint’s dates, location, emblems, feast days, and patronage. Taken together, these stories create a rich, inspiring, and entertaining history of faith and courage.

Treasury of Egyptian Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Monsters & Mortals by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Christina Balit

The new National Geographic Treasury of Egyptian Mythology is a stunning tableau of Egyptian myths, including those of pharaohs, queens, the boisterous Sun God Ra, and legendary creatures like the Sphinx. The lyrical storytelling of award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli dramatizes the timeless tales of ancient Egypt in the year when Angelina Jolie will make Cleopatra a multimedia star. And just like the popular National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology, the stories in this book will be beautifully illustrated to bring ancient characters vividly to life. 

The stories are embellished with sidebars that provide historical, cultural, and geographic context and a mapping feature that adds to the fun and fascination. Resource notes and ample back matter direct readers to discover more about ancient Egypt. With its attractive design and beautiful narrative, this accessible treasury stands out from all other mythology titles in the marketplace.