Myths and Legends

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

By spanning the globe and pulling from the knowledge of various authorities Culligan has created a comprehensive resource about myths and legends. Articles are assembled in alphabetical order, making this resource an easy tool for reference. Beginning with Achilles and closing with Zeus, the 140 entries represent various cultures and historical periods. Some stories, such as those about fairies and ghosts, are found in many cultures. Others denote particular countries. Casey Jones, who has been immortalized in song, is an American folk hero; whereas, Russians fear or revere Baba Yaga who often devours humans and can travel quickly in her fiery mortar. The text recounts many of the Greek, Egyptian and Mesopotamian myths. Coyote, the Native American trickster; Mammy Wata, the African water goddess; and Jingo, the legendary Japanese empress, are also included. Each entry is concise and suggested readings encourage further study. Definitions, notes in margins, and black-and-white photographs complement the text. As part of the "Profiles" series this work is intended to complement middle and high school social studies curriculum. 2000, Macmillan Library Reference, Ages 12 up, $104.25. Reviewer: Laura Hummel

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-This series entry contains informative, accurate, and detailed information on Greco-Roman myths, good material on many other European myths and American legends, and spotty coverage on the mythology of the rest of the world. Representation of some ethnic regions is perfunctory: one Inuit myth; no entries for Amaterasu, Izanagi, or Izanami (Japan); no Anansi, Orisha Nla, Obatala, or Olorun (Africa); no Kuan Yin (China) or Rama (India). Entries for "ghosts," "monsters," and "fairies," however, are each longer than the entry for King Arthur. There is no bowdlerizing, e.g., Aphrodite is born from the genitals of her castrated father. Greek and Roman names are cross-referenced. The black-and-white photographs, movie stills, and reproductions are well chosen but sparse. A reading list includes Web sites, and the index allows access by ethnic or national origin. The classical entries are much fuller than those in Mike Dixon-Kennedy's Encyclopedia of Greco-Roman Mythology (ABC-CLIO, 1998), but Philip Wilkinson's DK Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology (1998) is a more inviting and more comprehensive overview on the subject.-Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|