World Folklore

With heroic deeds, family drama, pulse-pounding battles, and shape-shifting magic, it’s no wonder that mythology fascinates us all. Packed with facts, Amazing Immortals profiles over eighty of these fantastical beings.

What did Ruby Rush expect when her world went up in flames and her face decided to take a vacation? Certainly not a wild adventure tangled up with demigods and the nosy Goddess of Death herself—Hella, that is! Ruby, hiding from the world with her half-burned face, thought she’d seen it all—until her BFF gifts her a magical mirror. Suddenly, a Viking warrior tumbles through the looking glass and introduces himself as Roger Rok, the dreamy demigod son of the Norse God of Love. Roger’s on a quest to find a berserker sword to prevent the whole world from going kaput. And guess what? He ...

There are more than 220 million cats in the world, and this book has stories about the world’s favourite pet from all across the globe. From an owner with 96 cats in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to a daring cat-escape from Lebanon to the Middle East, the book tells many fine feline tales. We also list over 20 different breeds from around the world, where they’re from and a short description. Truly a global cat reference for any cat-lover.

1939, London: From McPhail's Passage to Kensington's Grand Palace Hotel, Rose Dunbar is evacuated from her humble home on the Rock of Gibraltar and dropped into a chaotic city of falling bombs, perplexing class rules and bad weather. Despite being 'flagrantly foreign' to the locals, she becomes an efficient go-between for the upper-class ladies helping out with the war effort and her own tribe of noisy displaced families.

Muskoka is a beloved region for summertime frivolity—a popular destination for tourists and cottagers. The region is also home to a remarkably varied and interesting history. This book explores stories that most people, residents included, likely know little about.

Do you want to learn about Sumerians? The changes that took рlасе on the Mesopotamian рlаin bеtwееn the Tigris аnd Euрhrаtеѕ rivers in thе fourth аnd third millеnniа BC are of сruсiаl importance in understanding ѕubѕеԛuеnt developments in Wеѕtеrn Aѕiа аnd bеуоnd. Sinсе 1991, it hаѕ nоt bееn possible tо dig in Irаԛ itѕеlf, аnd аѕ a dirесt result оf this, thеrе hаѕ bееn аn еxрlоѕiоn of аrсhаеоlоgiсаl асtivitу in nеighbоring countries, ѕuсh аѕ Sуriа and thе Gulf Stаtеѕ.

Christopher Hadley is a journalist and author. His pieces on such popular subjects as 18th-century religious tracts have appeared in The Independent, The Guardian, The Times, London Review of Books, Esquire and his local parish magazine, among many other publications. Hollow Places, an account of his search across 1,000 years of British history for the dragon-slayer Shonks, is his first history book.

"A long time ago, when the land was yet wrapped in grand sweeps of forest, when nearby meadows wore nothing but the scent of wildflowers..." So begins the first tale of Spirits of the Wild, an enchanting collection of 60 nature myths from around the world, many of them hundreds - or thousands - of years old. Each myth is charmingly retold by Gary Ferguson, one of the West's best-loved nature writers.

"Tales and Trails: Unraveling Asia's Urban Myths" is a delightful voyage through Asia's strangeness. This excellent book explores China, Korea, and Japan's cultures. It vibrantly blends folklore, history, and the human spirit. See the terrifying Gumiho, brave Chollima, mysterious Jade Rabbit, and Forbidden City whispers. Climb Kuchisake-Onna's terrifying peak in the dark Aokigahara Forest. From Beijing's hectic streets to China's calm farms, Japan's intriguing forests to Korea's wild beaches, these stories take listeners to many places.

Allow yourself to be swept away into the enchanted world of old Russia. Five of Russia's best fairy tales are offered in this new translation of tales from Aleksandr Afanasyev's collection. Meet such time-honored characters as the Firebird, Baba Yaga, Vasilisa the Beautiful, and Koshchey--the frightening monster who is vanquished by the brave Ivan Tsarevich. Children and adults alike are enchanted by these tales, and each provides an opportunity to discuss choices and consequences. This new volume includes classic artwork in brilliant colors from Ivan Bilibin, illustrator and stage designer...

Fiabe tratte dalla tradizione popolare della città di Venezia. Un interessante viaggio nel fantastico mondo nato dalla fantasia di un popolo che ha avuto un ruolo fondamentale nella civiltà moderna del bacino del Mediterraneo.

With profiles of over 80 goddesses, heroines, and legendary women featured, this is a must-have introduction to the key female figures from cultures all over the world. More than 30 beloved stories are retold by award-winning author Jean Menzies. Find out how Japanese goddess of the dawn Ame-no-Uzume saved the day by dancing; how ancient Greek witch Medea helped to defeat a dragon; and how legendary Celtic warrior Scáthach trained the hero Cú Chulainn to fight. In addition, the reference section is packed with extra information, including a pronunciation guide.

Shanahan's Stone is a tale about greed, vengeance, redemption, and love. So much history and mythology has become misinterpreted and altered over the years. Although modern day depictions describe leprechauns as little men dressed in green who hoard pots of gold, ancient Irish folklore depicted them quite differently. Shanahan's Stone breaks from these cliches and many other contemporary Irish stereotypes. It weaves an imaginative and unique story steeped in colorful Irish folklore.

The Path of Light is a collection of short stories nothing if not a mirror to the phenomenal range of human behavior. Taken from the Upanishads to the Jatakas to South Asian folklore, these simple but contemplative tales reveal how people are capable of both extreme cruelty and inordinate kindness.