Classical Myth

Is there a connection between Greek and Hindu mythology? Does it have something to do with a common Indo-European root? Or maybe an exchange of ideas in the centuries that followed the arrival of Alexander the Great, when Greek emissaries travelled to the kingdoms of Mathura and Magadha? In this book, mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik turns his attention to ancient Greek tales and explores a new world of stories. Long have Europeans and Americans retold Indic mythologies. It is time for Indians to reverse the gaze.

Geoffrey Chaucer, born around 1340, was the first great English poet. The immense popularity of the "Canterbury Tales" is shown by the number of manuscript copies still in existence. It was one of the first books printed in England. The vividness with which the author describes scenes and events and people, as if he had them before his eyes, is one of his greatest charms as a writer. Those who know him best, place him second only to Shakespeare as a writer of delightful English.

Fairytales are a universal part of childhood. No matter what time or what place you grew up, you have at one point or another heard that classic phrase “once upon a time.” They are usually the first stories we ever hear or read. These types of tales set us up to understand the art of stories and storytelling, and they are certainly worth revisiting. Here in The Blue Fairy Book, the first of Andrew Lang’s beloved collections of classic fairy stories, you will return to the tales you already know.

Nils Holgersson is a naughty boy who pulls the tails of cats and trips up his mother while she is carrying the milk pail. Then one day he discovers he has been magically turned into a tiny imp. He climbs on the back of a gander and takes off with a flock of wild geese as they fly over Sweden, soaring above patchwork fields, through storms, to castles and lakes and even to a city under the sea. As he learns about the world, he also learns what it means to care for living things, in Selma Lagerlöf's timeless and beloved fable.

Enter a world where anything is possible. A god could be a mountain or a shower of gold. A nymph could be a stream or an echo in the wind. The myths of ancient Greece are full of such wonders, as well as a host of courageous heroes, cunning heroines, and terrible monsters. From the tragedy of Persephone to the fearsome minotaur; from Perseus's quest for Medusa to greedy King Midas, this collection includes a broad range of the most well-known and celebrated myths.

On the birth of Princess Aurora, an evil fairy places a curse on her and declares that before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she will die by pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. To protect her from the evil spell, the king agrees to place Aurora in the care of three spirited good fairies who live in a cottage in the woods. One of the fairies conjures a spell so Aurora will fall into a deep sleep instead, to be awakened only by a kiss from her true love.

Lann knows nothing of his mysterious past, but by his 15th birthday he will come face to face with destiny. For Lann must wield the Dreadblade, an ancient sword forged to defeat terrible monsters. Across the mountains a King has been murdered. His daughter, Astrid, is a warrior with no desire to bear the crown. Only she can uncover her father’s killer before her brother is framed for the crime. Evil is stirring. Lann and Astrid are the kingdom’s last defence. Together, they must face the greatest darkness their world has ever known.

The unknown fate of Devyn lay within the hands of the most unlikely of allies as the plots of the Elder races fester in the shadowy war that surrounds the people of Isiir. While in possession of an artifact that three powerful factions yearn to obtain, Devyn tries to escape death in his continuing struggle to return home. Out of the Ice is Book 2 of the Within the Ice Saga. Isiir, a land nestled between the Great Glacier remains locked within an eternal battle between the elements and the hardened people that dwell there. Within the dark recesses of the world the Elder races conduct their ...

These two stories are folk tales from the Slavic world; discover the stories and culture from Eastern Europe to Central Asia, recorded by the best storytellers for the enjoyment of children and adults alike. We put together two of the most charming stories from the Slavic culture.

In this hilarious southern folktale, mean old Boss Lion threatens the peaceful folk of Brer Village, and Brer Rabbit is forced to teach the carnivorous trouble-maker a lesson he'll never forget. Brer Rabbit outsmarts the baddest fella in the forest, then saunters back to town as the local hero. Actor Danny Glover narrates this witty, playful adaptation, perfectly complemented by gritty bayou blues by Dr. John. It is just the kind of fun your family will enjoy again and again.

This delightful fairy tale for all ages is filled with fantasy, wit, and wisdom. A classic penned in 1872 by author George MacDonald, it has inspired the work of his friend Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland), and many others, including C.S. Lewis (The Narnia Chronicles), J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings), G.K. Chesterton (The Father Brown Mysteries), and Madeleine L'Engle (A Wrinkle in Time).

Gripping tales that abound with fantastic characters and astonishing twists and turns, Greek myths confront what it means to be mortal in a world of powerful forces beyond human control. Little wonder that they continue to fascinate readers thousands of years after they were first told. Gods and Mortals is a major new telling of ancient Greek myths by one of the world's preeminent experts.

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses is about a young girl whose special joy is tending to the horses of her village. In Crazy Horse's Vision, Joseph Bruchac focuses on key events from Crazy Horse's childhood in a dramatic tale of the legendary Lakota warrior told by Robert Tree Cody, Curtis Zunigha, and Joseph Bruchac.

The ancient Romans have one of the richest collections of myths of all the early civilizations. In this book you can discover all the most important Roman gods, important Roman myths, the history of Rome, and much more.

The Brothers Grimm collected this hugely popular book of age-old European fairytales more than two hundred years ago. Now, here is the enchanting new just-for-kids version, abridged and retold for a young modern audience while remaining true to the captivating original text.

Peter Gossage’s memorable retellings of Māori oral myths have captivated the children of New Zealand for generations. These are exciting, magical tales of adventure and intrigue. Several feature the remarkable culture hero Māui – the quick-witted and the trickster – whose exploits include slowing the sun in its course across the sky, fishing up the North Island/Te-Ika-a-Māui, discovering the secret of fire and his attempt to trick the goddess of death and become immortal.

Outside of Russia, Leo Tolstoy is known mostly as the author of the Napoleonic War epic War and Peace. Therefore, this collection is bound to be a new experience for most, since it includes a set of Tolstoy's stories intended for children.

First written in 1904, this is one of Edith Nesbit's best-loved children's stories. It it the second story about a group of five children - Robert, Anthea, Cyril, Jane, and their baby brother, the Lamb - who live in London. One day their mother buys a new carpet for the nursery which mysteriously contains a stone egg. When the egg falls into the fire by accident, nobody can possibly imagine what adventures will be unleashed.

Jack was once a simple college kid who dreamed of getting laid at cosplay parties. But when he discovers fairy tales living among us and becomes their protector against evil and humanity (that’s right!), he’s soon thrown into a war of epic proportions. To stand a chance in this war, Jack goes to the fae lands - the fabled Avalon - where he must conquer his demons, level the hell up, and find some new teammates to add to his already-large party. Will Red, Pucky, the Swan Princess, and Big Bad Wolf be okay with these new party members?

How can the Tortoise run faster than the Hare? What happens when the dog growls at its image? Or when the Country Mouse goes to supper with the Town Mouse? These wonderful stories have delighted adults and children for centuries, with their witty observations on animals and humans too. The stories are told with the enduring magic of a master story-teller, and set against the bright sounds of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and sound effects.