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There is Greek mythology, which is good to learn in a classical education and for cultural literacy (see my review on A First Dictionary of Cultural Literacy), and then there is the Illiad and the Odyssey, which are the great epics of the ancient Greek world. These draw on Greek mythology but are composed more about brave men, battles, and adventures. Similarly, there is Norse mythology, which is again good to know for a classical education and for cultural literacy. There are also great epic stories associated with this body of mythology, one of which is adapted for children in Adventures with the Heroes, by Catharine F. Sellew. This book tells the story of Volsung and Sigurd, a famous sword, a fearsome dragon, and a cursed treasure. This is an exciting story, full of dwarfs, heroes, and adventures. The illustrations by Steele Savage are bold and dramatic, which is what this illustrator is known for. The composer Richard Wagner composed a cycle of four operas, called The Ring of the Nibelung, which re-tells this same story in musical form. It is interesting to note that Professor Tolkien drew on the Volsung saga and other northern epics for source material for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
Catharine F. Sellew (1922-1982) was a writer who specialized in adaptations for children of famous stories from antiquity. Other books by her would be good to read. Steele Savage (1898-1970) was born in Michigan and illustrated many books, including the famous juvenile science fiction books of Robert Heinlein and books on mythology.