Realms of Gold: Myths and Legends from Around the World

Fourteen great myths and legends from around the world receive a dramatic retelling, featuring beautiful full-color illustrations inspired by the art of each myth's country of origin, including China, India, Africa, Greece, and North America.

Grade 3-6-- The Greek figures on the attractive jacket may be misleading, for, as the subtitle indicates, the 14 stories within are also from the African, Native American, Pacific, Norse, Celtic, Indian, Chinese and Russian traditions. Organized topically, the tales about "Earth, Air, Fire and Water" include an unusual flood story from Nigeria. Among those about "Love and Death" is a moving Welsh tale of canine loyalty ("Bedd Gelert") and an even more inspiring story from India, "The Hare in the Moon." Four tales of "Fools and Heroes" include a Russian version of "The Wishing Fish." Although the language is not particularly easy, a large, clear typeface makes the text accessible. Lucid, luminous watercolors enliven every page; their details are accurate and informative, but not overwhelming. Unpretentious and engaging, Denton's cheerful illustrations and vignettes contribute to the combination of "wisdom and delight" in this appealing, generously sized volume. --Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Pilling draws from the folklore of numerous cultures in this eclectic if ultimately uneven collection. Featuring classic themes of love, greed, jealousy and the battle between good and evil, the 14 entries are of varying length and complexity, making it difficult to pinpoint the appropriate audience. Divided into three categories ("Earth, Air, Fire, and Water," "Love and Death" and "Fools and Heroes"), the tales range from the succinctly told "Iyadola's Babies," an endearing West African myth that offers an explanation why babies are born with various skin colors; to the labyrinthine "The Death of Balder," a relatively lengthy Norse legend that will be slow-going for most youngsters. Among the volume's best offerings are a lively retelling of the Greek myth "King Midas" and "The Wishing Fish," an entertaining Russian story about a magical fish who teaches a lesson to an avaricious woman. The volume is copiously--and deftly--illustrated by Denton, whose spot art and larger illustrations display an intriguing amalgam of styles reflective of the tales' countries of origin. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

An excellent introduction to mythology, with 14 graceful retellings--pourquoi tales like the opener, a West African legend explaining why the Earth Mother's children are so many different colors; stories of love and tragedy (Persephone, the willow pattern story); legendary heroes and fools (Midas, Finn MacCool, Perseus). The brevity of the selections (even Balder's story, with its complex cast of characters, takes just eight pages), large, open type, and profuse illustrations (pen-and-ink with watercolor, marginal vignettes to full-page) make these versions especially suitable for children in the early grades. Many of the colors and design motifs are adapted from the cultures that originated the tales (Greek vase designs, Chinese brush painting, African textiles, Pacific Island carvings). An attractive volume for pleasure reading as well as classroom use. (Nonfiction. 6-11) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.