Books in Mythology and Legends around the World series

The ancient Celts developed a rich oral tradition that recounted stories of conquest, magic, and powerful deities. Bards sang of an afterlife called the Otherworld, revealing much about their religious beliefs. This exciting book includes the most important stories from ancient Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man. The book also describes the dramatic rise and fall of the Celts.

In Norse mythology, giants, tricksters, and hammer-wielding gods reign supreme. The exciting stories of Odin, Thor, and Loki served as the foundation for a religious system that is fascinating and largely unfamiliar to most. This book recounts the stories the Vikings and northern Germanic peoples told and explores how these tales have been passed on for generations to appear in popular culture today.

For twelve years, Grendel, a ferocious and bloodthirsty creature, terrorises King Hrothgar's people, killing and devouring their bravest warriors. That is until one day when Beowulf, the strongest and mightiest of the Geat warriors, arrives on the Danish shores determined to defeat Grendel. When Beowulf slaughters the vicious creature, the kingdom rejoices but the celebrations do not last long. In all the excitement, the people of Hrothgar have forgotten about Grendel's keenest ally... This gripping dual language adaptation of the Anglo-Saxon epic makes the legend of Beowulf accessible to readers of all ages and offers a thrilling insight to the Anglo-Saxon history. Brought to life through Alan Down's powerful illustrations, Beowulf's exploits also invite discussion of heroism, myths, and legends.

Early American folktales demonstrate the ambitions and values of the first settlers in the United States, including bravery, honesty, and a pioneering spirit. These legends, tall tales, and fairytales also introduced beloved figures like Babe the Blue Ox and Paul Bunyan. This book explains the traditions of storytelling that are uniquely American and describes how historical events shaped the stories we still tell in modern day.

Creation tales, stories of tricksters, and descriptions of deities are just a few elements of the rich tradition of the mythology of ancient Egypt and Africa. This bright book celebrates the diversity of these stories and takes a close look at the cultures they stemmed from. The book also examines how these captivating ancient myths and legends continue to appear in culture today.