Folklore & Mythology Books - Page 4

The Complete Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales [Illustrated]

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

WOW!!!! Beautiful!! (...and then some!) 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is not only asthetically pleasing, with its richly colored and textured cover and gilt pages; but each and every story reflects the wonder and imagination that draws us all to fairy tales....

Inside the Grimm's are at their finest, and pulling no punches. This may be where Disney found Cinderella, Snow White and so on - but they are NOT the watered down versions we have seen in cartoons. Must be appreciated for the purity of the stories, NOT recommended if you are looking for warm, fuzzy, cute-sy tales for the babes.

Font size 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The Grimm fairytales are great but I would have wanted to know the size of the font prior to purchasing. I feel that the print size should have been larger. It makes it hard to keep focus when reading.

GREAT!! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I was very pleased with the book purchase. My book was shipped quickly during the holiday season. Thanks

Excellent Collection 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book for my niece because I grew up on the Brothers Grimm so I thought she should have access to it as well. This is one of the most complete collections of these fairy tales that I have ever seen. Very good if you have kids & want them to experience all of the real German folk tales as well as the Disney versions. I would highly recommend it.

Editorial Review:

More than 200 tales by the Brothers Grimm.

Sailing Home: Using Homer's Odyssey to Navigate Life's Perils and Pitfalls

Norman Fischer

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Self-Help -> Happiness

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Homer's Odyssey has a timeless allure. It is an ancient story that is significant for every generation: the struggle of a homesick, battle-weary man longing to return to love and family. Odysseus's strivings to overcome divine and earthly obstacles and to control his own impulsive nature hold valuable lessons for people facing their own metaphorical battles and everyday conflicts -- people who are, like Odysseus, "heartsick on the open sea," whether from dealing with daily skirmishes at the office or from fighting in an international war. Sailing Home breathes fresh air into a classic we thought we knew, revealing its profound guidance for navigating life's pitfalls, perils, and spiritual challenges.

Norman Fischer deftly incorporates Buddhist, Judaic, Christian, and popular thought, as well as his own unique and sympathetic understanding of life, in his reinterpretation of Odysseus's familiar wanderings as lessons that everyone can use. We see how to resist the seduction of the Sirens' song to stop sailing and give up; how to bide our time in a situation and wait for the right opportunity -- as Odysseus does when faced with the murderous, one-eyed Cyclops; and how to reassess our story and rediscover our purpose and identity if, like the Lotus-Eaters, we have forgotten the past.

With meditations that yield personal revelations, illuminating anecdotes from Fischer's and his students' lives, and stories from many wisdom traditions, Sailing Home shows the way to greater purpose in your own life.You will learn a new way to view your path, when to wait and when to act, when to speak your mind and when to exercise discretion, how to draw on your innate strength and distinguish between truth and deception, and how to deal with aging and changing relationships. Sailing Home provides the courage you need for your journey, to renew bonds with your loved ones, and to make the latter portion of life a heartfelt time of spirit and love, so that -- just as Odysseus does -- you can defeat the forces of entropy and death.

Stone Soup

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

first taste 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

The author has introduced multicultural idea. My family and I love it for starters in this respect. Highly recommended.

Beautiful! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Muth's watercolors are delicate and expressive, and work beautifully in retelling this familiar story. Oh, the wanderers are poor monks, and the setting isn't European, but it's still the same story we all love.

And that's why I chose this book over Muth's other children's books. I've enjoyed his adult artwork, and the paintings in the other kids' books are, if anything, better than the ones here. I just couldn't picture my four-year-old (check the suggested age groups) getting much out of Tolstoy's three existential questions, though. Maybe your kid is a bit more advanced, but Stone Soup seems to be a better match to this pre-schooler's philosophical needs.

//wiredweird

Editorial Review:

Three strangers, hungry and tired, pass through a war-torn village. Embittered and suspicious from the war, the people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until-- together, they have made a feast fit for a king! In this inspiring story about the strength people possess when they work together, Muth takes a simple, beloved tale and adds his own fresh twist.

The Gingerbread Man

Jim Aylesworth

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

fairy tales and popular culture 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful.

The story of "The Gingerbread Man" has for centuries enlightened the hearts of its young readers.It has helped to redefine the way that popular cuture work helps to shape an individual's way of interpreting the ideological work that the story portrays.That utopian feel to it; where people want to see the hero win in the end and come up on top.In fact the gingerbread man gets eaten in the end,which goes against that utopian type of fairy tale that the public genre tends to enjoy more.But for some reason this fairy tale has been one that against all odds, has remained popular, and entertaining and plain old FUN.Which is what the everyday reader wants to read, something that is fun and entertaining when it comes to fairy tales.

Hidden message 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 14 people found this review helpful.

"The Gingerbread Man" is a great story for young children. However this story also has many hidden themes that your child might pickup on while reading this tale. "The Gingerbread Man" supports the idea that women are mearly the creaters of life and house keepers, and warns young children of the consequences of being arrongant and disrespecting your maker. Even with these hidden themes any child should enjoy this story.

Editorial Review:

A freshly baked gingerbread man escapes when he is taken out of the oven and eludes a number of pursuers until he meets a clever fox.

A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angelsnd Other Subversive Spirits

Carol K. Mack, Dinah Mack

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 42 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

This is the original guide on how to spot and identify demons and other subversive spiritsÑand what to do next! Demons, fairies, and fallen angels are everywhere. They lurk at crossroads, crouch behind doors, hide in trees, slip into beds, wait in caves, hover at weddings and childbirths, disguise themselves as friends and relativesÑand even pretend to be you! They are powerful; they are protean; they are enchanting. And, to the uninformed, they are often invisible. This illustrated guideÑthe first of its kindÑreveals the remarkable permutations of the demon and fairy species worldwide. Packed with lore about each demon, detailing its origins, the culture surrounding it, and its reputed antics and exploits, this is a fascinating exploration of global mythologies. Perfect for the armchair traveler and the intrepid, seasoned demon-spotter alike, this complete guide of subversive spirits offers a behind-the-scenes look at the devilish mishaps, impish irritations, and demonic devastations that can punctuate our lives. Be warned: demon-watching is thrilling, transforming, even addictive. Soon your FIELD GUIDE TO DEMONS will be absolutely indispensable!

Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival

Velma Wallis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 52 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Don't Underestimate an Older Person 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

In this well-told tale of two tribewomen who are in their old age we see what determination can do. Having earned the respect of their tribe these two women have been content to let others do for them over the years. But their age hinders the tribespeople's movements and they are facing a brutal winter. The chief makes the decision to turn these two out into the harshness of the bleak Alaskan Yukon to live or die.

Together these two women forge a bond of friendship and recall the skills of their younger days, conquering the pain of unused muscles and fear of the unknown to survive even the harshest of conditions. The story comes full circle when they again meet up with their tribe and the chief who once turned them out now finds he and his people have need of their wisdom.

A wonderful book for just about everyone. Full of hope and determination.

Editorial Review:

Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska, this is the suspenseful, shocking, ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine.

Though these women have been known to complain more than contribute, they now must either survive on their own or die trying. In simple but vivid detail, Velma Wallis depicts a landscape and way of life that are at once merciless and starkly beautiful. In her old women, she has created two heroines of steely determination whose story of betrayal, friendship, community and forgiveness "speaks straight to the heart with clarity, sweetness and wisdom" (Ursula K. Le Guin).

Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World

Selby Beeler

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A great book for children of all ages. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a fun book for all children. It raises awareness of traditions from different cultures. With older children you can look at themes behind the custom.

What a great book! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Oh my goodness, what a great book about the tooth fairy and other traditions around the world. My 6yr old just lost her 1st tooth, but we purchased this book before she lost it so that she could read about other kids and what they do with their baby teeth. She loves this book, and I love this book because it teaches her about different places, people, and traditions from around the world with a subject that she can totally relate to!

Editorial Review:

What do you do when you lose a tooth? Do you put it under your pillow and wait for the tooth fairy? Not if you live in Botswana! In Botswana, children throw their teeth onto the roof. In Afghanistan they drop their teeth down mouse holes, and in Egypt they fling their teeth at the sun! Travel around the world and discover the surprising things children do when they lose a tooth. Selby B. Beeler spent years collecting traditions from every corner of the globe for this whimsical book, and G. Brian Karas adds to the fun, filling every page with humorous detail. He perfectly captures the excitement and pride that children experience when a tooth falls out.

Musubi Man: Hawaii's Gingerbread Man

Sandi Takayama

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

children's book 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This is a cute version of the Gingerbread Man books, but in the Hawaii's stand point. IT's well written, and is a hardcover book. This book made me laugh, and made me remember my childhood growing up on Maui. The Hawaiian words are written on the back of the book for a reference in case you don't know what certain words mean, very good additon to the book. My children love this book and they are well above the Gingerbread Man stage. Cute book!

Musubi Man: Hawaii's Gingerbread Man 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The depiction of the Hawaiian culture through the art is nice. The story
is unusual to say the least, and unless the children knew the story or poem of the traditional story of the Gingerbread Man, the children would not get
the humor perhaps. It is, however a story with a moral to it and for children
perhaps age 7 through 9, or 10, it could be enjoyed. The book arrived
promptly in excellent condition. B. Sahota

Editorial Review:

A freshly baked musubi man escapes from the old woman's kitchen and eludes his pursuers in this Hawaiian version of the Gingerbread boy.

Rapunzel (Picture Puffin Books)

Brothers Grimm

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelinsky, Paul O.

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 52 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Rapunzel the Beautiful 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.

There are many illustrated versions of Rapunzel on the children's market, but surely none can compare with Paul O. Zelinsky's Caldecott version.

As he explains in "A Note about Rapunzel" in the back of the book, he traced the history of the story and discovered its roots in Italy, determining then to set his version within the artwork of Renaissance Italy. Rapunzel is the German word for a salad green and root with a flavor between argula and watercress. In some stories the green is parsley called rampion.

In this version a young pregnant wife begins craving rapunzel which she sees outside her window. I must have it, must have it, she tells her husband, knowing that the garden in the courtyard below belongs to a sorceress. She has her rapunzel, but the witch catches the husband stealing it and makes him promise the baby to her.

As the story goes, the sorceress locks the pre-adolescent child in a campanile with no doors and only Rapunzel's long red-gold tresses as a rope to the top. The prince finds her, learns the secret to the top, avows his love, and she gets pregnant.

The story ends happily, of course, following the traditional plot line. What sets this version so very far apart from its siblings is the glorious Renaissance-like artwork. Flowing clothing, long, wavy hair, dark and silvery plant life, blue and gray haze in the background, particular people groupings, perfectly balanced settings, Roman ruins--all traditional aspects of Renaissance art are depicted.

One little intrusion into this Renaissance setting is a kitten whose growth is also measured by Rapunzel's. This Siamese is in almost every frame with Rapunzel all the way to the end which is a cozy tableau of family bliss.

This Rapunzel belongs in every home with a child and adults who appreciate the joy of children's books.

Editorial Review:

Trapped in a tower with no door, Rapunzel is allowed to see no one but the sorceress who has imprisoned her-until the day a young prince hears her singing to the forest birds. . . . The timeless tale of Rapunzel is vividly and magnificently brought to life through Paul O. Zelinsky's powerful sense of narrative and his stunning oil paintings.

"Simply put, this is a gorgeous book; it demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision." (The Horn Book, starred review)

Stone Soup

Heather Forest

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Stone soup is a contemporary version of the popular folktale 5 out of 5 stars.
35 of 37 people found this review helpful.

Stone Soup is a popular folktale in many countries that has been told for centuries. The Author Heater Forest tells a contemporary version of the popular folktale. Her Stone Soup is an imaginatively creative story with colorfully descriptive pictures that bring the plot about sharing to life. The author's writing is so clear and vivid that reader's can see the characters even before looking at the pictures. The illustrations are realistically drawn and help kids follow along with the story. The author uses the illustrations to teach kids a lesson about sharing. In Stone Soup, two hungry travelers stumble into a village. The travelers go door to door asking for food. Because the villagers say there is no food, the travelers decide to help them by making their magical soup. In the process of making the soup, the village learnes that if everyone shares good things can come out of it. The language and concept is simple for kids. When the traveler talks to the villagers, he uses simple words. "Please ," said one of the travelers, "we are hungry. Do you care? Will you share? Do you have any food?" These simple sentences express many ideas about sharing. "Do you care?" says that if a person doesn't share it's because they don't care. "Do you have any food?" says that if a person has food they should share it. Stone Soup isn't just good reading that is imaginative and creative; it also tells a moral, which teaches kids a lesson but doesn't preach to them. The moral, that if everyone shares then the outcome is huge, comes across clearly in this imaginative story. The travelers said the magic ingredient to their stone soup is sharing; every contribution counts from the smallest to the largest when people share. This is a idea kids can use in their lives. The author tells a well-written story that, even without pictures, could put the characters vividly in one's mind. The author makes a vivid picture of the travelers hopelessness in the reader's mind: "...travelers came along. Their coats were tattered. Their hats were torn. Their dusty shoes had holes in their soles." Using these descriptive words helps everyone enjoy this story. Susan Gaber illustrated this book. She made the pictures so detailed that a person can see the hair on a man's beard and the buttons on a kid's top, but not so much detail that it takes away from the story. The pictures are realistically drawn and colored. There are no purple trees or orange-haired people. This adds to the realistic plot of the story. Gaber does a great job drawing difficult items, for example: a kernel of corn and a green bean. The colors that are used are bright. When characters talk there is a picture of the main topic in the bubble of what the person is saying. An example of this is when a man says he has a potato and the picture shows a bubble with a potato in it. This helps kids follow the story. From start to finish, Stone Soup is a page-turner, with colorfully detailed pictures to its descriptive wording, which bring alive the imaginative story. Stone Soup is well-written for its age group, using word and concepts kids will understand, while at the same time teaching them a moral and new ideas about sharing. This is definitely one book to check out. -Michele Jicha

Editorial Review:

Two hungry travelers arrive at a village expecting to find a household that will share a bit of food, as has been the custom along their journey. To their surprise, villager after villager refuses to share, each one closing the door with a bang. As they sit to rest beside a well, one of the travelers observes that if the townspeople have no food to share, they must be in greater need than we are.