Asian Myth

Melony Yoshimura’s parents have always been overprotective. They say it’s because a demonic spirit called the Amanjaku once preyed upon kids back in Japan, but Melony suspects it’s just a cautionary tale to keep her in line. So on her twelfth birthday, Melony takes a chance and wishes for the freedom and adventure her parents seem determined to keep her from.

Originating long ago in Japan, this fable invites listeners to evaluate the importance and value of being honest.

Nicht nur die Brüder Grimm oder Hans Christian Andersen haben Märchen gesammelt oder geschrieben, auch in anderen Ländern ist das Märchen selbstverständlich kulturelles Volksgut. In China wurden und werden gerne Märchen erzählt - wie diese feine Sammlung von zwanzig wunderbaren Geschichten beweist! Einige Themen kommen uns bekannt vor, anderes ist ganz neu - und natürlich mit dem Kolorit des Asiatischen versehen.

In a South Indian village, a girl named Savitri has a greedy brother who summons a mighty demon to work for him. The demon, Rakshasa, tells him he must be kept busy or he will eat the brother. Eventually, the brother runs out of tasks for Rakshasa, and Savitri must think of an impossible task to keep Rakshasa busy–she challenges the demon to straighten her curly hair.

Renowned for his wisdom and sense of fairness, Justice Bao was a high-ranking magistrate during the Song dynasty in ancient China. In The Case of the Missing Coins, Justice Bao as to decide what to do when a merchant accuses a woodcutter of stealing his money. Should he take the word of the well-dressed merchant or believe the shabby woodcutter who can barely speak for himself?

A beautiful collection of some of the finest Chinese fairy tales ever told. Incorporating magic, wicked witches, strange adventures and mysterious spirits. Enchanting! Stories include: "The Magic Pillow"; "The Stone Monkey"; "Stealing Peaches"; "The Painted Skin"; "The Wonderful Pear Tree"; "The Country of Gentlemen"; "Learning Magic"; "Theft of a Duck"; "Living for Ever"; "Football on a Lake"; "The Flower Fairies"; "The Talking Bird"; "The Peach Blossom Fountain"; "The Lute Girl’s Lament".

Lulu Sinagtala can’t wait for a fun Christmas break. She’s excited to hang out with her sister, Kitty, and best friend, Bart; to reenact her favorite legends from Tagalog folklore (like the amazing tale of Bernardo Carpio); and, of course, to eat as much yummy street-side inihaw as possible! But when a vicious wakwak attacks her neighborhood and kidnaps Mom, Lulu discovers the creatures and deities of Tagalog myth are real and that two additional Realms exist beyond our own. To make it worse, Lulu has superhuman strength and the ability to wield magic.

“Darkcliff is obviously a master storyteller, knowing how to keep the reader riveted the whole time.” - Jason P. Crawford, Amazon reviewer Mortals die easily. Gods must be killed twice. When he moves to Turkey, Braze prevents a suicide attempt and falls for a local girl - two mistakes with horrific consequences. As they plunge into a spiral of madness and depravity, Braze and the beautiful Mehpare understand why that man wanted to kill himself. A mysterious stranger stalks them during the day. At night, evil magic traps them in a temple that should have never been built. Their failing ...

Dvacet čtyři orientálních příběhů o lásce, zradě, kouzlech a moudrosti v převyprávění Eduarda Petišky patří mezi zlatý fond literatury. Král Šahrijár ze vzteku, že ho jeho manželka podváděla, nechal zabít nejen ji a provinivšího se otroka, ale od té chvíle si nechal každou noc vodit novou pannu a ráno ji dal setnout hlavu. Tak to šlo den za dnem tři roky. Když dorostla Vezírova dcera Šahrazád do věku, že by mohla být předvedena před krále, požádala o to otce s tím, že buď se jí podaří přežít, nebo alespoň zachránií jednu dívku místo sebe.

It is time for the Chinese emperor to choose his successor. Instead of one of his lazy sons, he decides to choose someone who is not from the royal family and devises a special test. Who will be worthy to become the next emperor?

Prince Jin is running out of time. He must find a monster companion before his thirteenth birthday or lose the throne completely. And that means travelling to the only place where monsters still live: the legendary, dangerous Whisper Island.

Ten-year-old Geetanjali doesn’t mind singing, but she knows she’ll never be as good as her mother, Aai, or grandmother, Aaji, famous classical singers from India whose celebrity has followed the family all the way to their small town of Deadwood, Michigan, where Geetanjali lives with her aai and her father, Baba.

Characters from the Epic of Gilgamesh populate this high-stakes contemporary adventure in which all of Manhattan is threatened by the ancient god of plagues. Thirteen-year-old Sik wants a simple life going to school and helping at his parents' deli in the evenings. But all that is blown to smithereens when Nergal comes looking for him, thinking that Sik holds the secret to eternal life. Turns out Sik is immortal but doesn't know it, and that's about to get him and the entire city into deep, deep trouble.

These eight original tales by Chitra Soundar task two clever boys, Prince Veera and his best friend, Suku, with outwitting the kingdom's greediest, wiliest subjects.

The ancient Chinese philosopher and military general Sun Tzu believed that being able to outsmart enemies is far better than being able to outfight them. Decide whether you agree with Sun Tzu after you listen to this story.

A new look at dark fairytales. Akin to the Brothers Grimm, none of these storybook characters are innocent. Cinder Ellah forgets who earned her the crown and pays a hefty price. Kaede’s new love interest weighs heavily on his soul. Olivia won’t give up her firstborn without a fight. The old woman living in a shoe bites off more than she can chew. Lere planned revenge, but contracted love sickness instead. These five stories will have you on the edge of your seat craving a sequel. Stories by Deborah Brown, Jo Niederhoff, Victor Nandi, Jarrett Mazza, and Thea Watson.

When his brother Kartikeya challenges him to a race around the world, Ganesha knows he cannot win with speed. He may not be as fast as Kartikeya, but clever Ganesha knows that every problem has more than one solution! A celebration of the dynamic bond between siblings and a loving tribute to family, Ganesha’s Great Race is the story of their most famous contest and will delight readers with a tale of muscles, mangoes, and the meaning of the world.

Durga, as this powerful warrior-goddess is known, has nine special forms - each one unique, not just a clone. Shailaputri, Brahmacharini and Chandraghanta, Kushmanda and Skandamata, Katyayani and Kaalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri... They are the Nava Durga, worshipped during Navaratri, the festival of nine nights and nine days that's celebrated across India and the world in myriad ways to praise the goddesses and their glory. This is their story!

Pirates, sorcerers, and witches battle for an ancient magical treasure. Amlina the witch has fled the city of the tyrant Archimage of the East. She plans to return the fabled Cloak of the Two Winds to its rightful owners. But Amlina’s ship is waylaid by barbarian pirates at the South Polar Sea. Lonn the Iruk skipper has led his boat away from the hunt after dreaming of fabulous treasure. When his crew captures the witch’s ship, they get more than they bargained for. After carrying off her possessions, they are robbed in turn. Worse, one of their crew is taken.

Stella and Luna know that their mama, Elsie, came from the Philippines when she was a child, but they don't know much else. So one night, they ask her to tell them her story. As they get ready for bed, their mama spins two tales: that of her youth as a strong-willed middle child and immigrant; and that of the young life of Mayari, the mythical daughter of a god. Both are tales of sisterhood and motherhood, and of the difficult experience of trying to fit into a new culture, and having to fight for a home and acceptance.