Myths of China

I have long been fascinated by Chinese history, its myths legends and culture- so much so that it was where we went for our honeymoon! Part of DK’s ‘Meet the Gods’ series, ‘Myths of China’ offers a fantastic introduction to this complex mythology, making the stories accessible and enjoyable for younger readers.

Following the same format as the other books in the series, the stories are gathered into different sections, in this case Beginnings, Magical Creatures, Journeys and Adventures, Love and Friendship and About the Myths. In each section, pages of additional information about key figures and events are scattered between the myths, deepening the reader’s understanding and adding much to their enjoyment of the book.

The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with colourful pictures both framing the stories and drawing attention to key figures. Focus pages on different gods and goddesses not only have the illustrator’s image, but also additional information about them and the role they play.

A note from the author at the end of the book makes the nature of these tales clear and admits to having used some creative licence in their re-telling, making an excellent point to start discussions with children about the similarities and differences between versions of the stories. Comparing and contrasting these myths with those of other cultures also enriches and deepens children’s understanding beyond the limits of the curriculum.

An absorbing and entertaining read!

Myths of China

Xiaobing Wang, illustrated by Katie Ponder

DK ISBN: 978-0241664766

You can read my review of ‘Celtic Myths’ here and ‘Egyptian Myths’ here.

God of the Ancient World

‘Gods of the Ancient World’ is a brilliant selection of myths and legends from around the world. The author starts with an introduction exploring why humans tell stories and why some might be more familiar to readers than others. Acknowledging that none of the tales ‘belong’ to her, she explains why she believes telling them is so important. As a lover of these ancient stories, I agree with what she says and think this book offers an excellent introduction for children (and adults) to find out more about where the stories included here are from and the people who told them.

Twenty three tales are included, each beautifully illustrated. A map of the world shows the reader where each story originated and the book is organised into four general ‘themes’- How the World Began, Gods Helping Humans, Rulers of Nature and Keeping Humans in Line. Among the stories in each section are spreads focusing on different themes, for example, Gods and Animals, The Maya People and Survivor Gods. It is a fascinating read, sure to excite curiosity and develop interest in these tales from the past.

A comprehensive index allows the reader to quickly locate specific information and as well as the drawn illustrations, photographs of real objects are also included which might also encourage children to pursue further research or to look for artefacts such as those shown here if they happen to be on a visit to a museum.

This collection also offers an invaluable resource for teachers, allowing them to locate stories which are linked to work in other subjects or for story times on days between class novels. There is much to enjoy and explore here with plenty to discuss.

Gods of the Ancient World: A Kid’s Guide to Ancient Mythology

Marchella Ward, illustrated by Xuan Le

Dorling Kindersley ISBN: 978-0241567791