Synopses & Reviews
All societies have their own myths and legends, but they're much more than just stories. Myths and legends tell us about a peoples history, science, and cultural valuesthe things they knew, the things they believed, and the things they felt were important.
World Myths and Legends retells tales from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. From the Greek myths to ancient epics like Gilgamesh and the trickster tales of Anansi the Spider, it helps readers think about why the same themes, characters, and events may show up in different parts of the globe.
Along the way kids will also find lots of fun and interesting projects that let them experience the stories first-hand. World Myths and Legends unveils wonders of the ancient world as it takes readers on a fascinating adventure of mystery and imagination. World Myths and Legends meets common core state standards in language arts for reading informational text and literary nonfiction. Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.
Review
"An excellent introduction to the cultures and myths of a diverse selection of peoples, and one I highly recommend to home-schoolers in particular . . . The projects themselves are extremely varied, and go beyond simple craft-ness. For instance, one activity for the Greek section is to use Euclidian geometry to make an equilateral trianglefun with compasses!" Charlotte's Library Blog
Review
"Another in the well-done 'Build It Yourself' Series. Sidebars, eye-catching illustrations, and explanatory text accompany the hands-on activities that will take you on a world-wide adventure you won't forget." Calliope
Review
Calliope Magazine"...Another in the well-done "Build It Yourself" Series. Sidebars, eye-catching illustrations, and explanatory text accompany the hands-on activities that will take you on a world-wide adventure you won't forget."
Wired Magazine
"World Myths and Legends can quickly become a favorite due to it being about some of the most exciting and fantastical stories in existence. Ive had this book for several weeks and were not even 25% into completing the crafts. . . I havent seen my nine year old excited about a book like this for a while."
Charlotte Library
"Although this book might sound like a fairly ordinary craft book, it is much more--it is also an excellent introduction to the cultures and myths of a diverse selection of peoples, and one I highly recommend to home-schoolers in particular. . . The projects themselves are extremely varied, and go beyond simple craft-ness. For instance, one activity for the Greek section is to use Euclidian geometry to make an equilateral triangle--fun with compasses! The point is that these are rather cool projects, such as I have never seen elsewhere."
William Hansen, Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies and Folklore, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Sophisticated and fun.”
Robert A. Segal, Sixth Century Chair in Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen, author of Myth: A Very Short Introduction.
This book is a terrific introduction for children to the subject of myths and legends. I cannot imagine a work that would more readily win the interest of children in the subject.”
Synopsis
Providing a window into the history, science, and values of the cultures that produced them, this unique exploration of fearsome gods and brave heroes includes hands-on activities, fun facts, and modern-day connections. Projects range from experiencing the Greek tale of Odysseus and making a double soda-bottle whirlpool to fashioning a West African drum from yogurt containers and creating an indoor or outdoor garden according to the Native American story of the Three Sisters. Summarizing the characters and stories that ancient peoples used to explain the natural world and human behavior, this activity guide conducts a fascinating adventure of imagination and mystery, unveiling wonders of the past as well as emphasizing the importance of oral traditions.
Synopsis
Provides a look at the origins of myths and legends, summarizes the characters and stories used to explain the natural world and human behavior, and includes hands-on activities, fun facts, and modern-day connections.
About the Author
Kathy Ceceri is About.com's Homeschooling Expert and a fan of art mixed with science. Her books include
Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future, named "Best of the Best" by the Chicago Public Library, and
Geek Mom: Projects, Tips, and Adventures for Moms and Their 21st-Century Families. She lives in Upstate New York.
Shawn Braley is an award-winning illustrator. He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He specializes in cartoon and editorial illustration. Braley is also a world traveler, musician, cat owner, and comic art collector.