Gathered from 7 of the more than 40 ethnic groups of Kenya, these stores are brought to you both as original translations and as lively, ready-to-use retellings. Ethnic groups respresented are the Kikuyu, Turkana, Akamba, Kipsigis, Taita, Luhya, and Samburu. Cultural and historical background information on the groups, notes on the stories, lists of further resources, and tips for retelling make this collection useful to librarians, storytellers, public speakers, teachers, and parents. The fascinating account of McNeils’s own experiences and observations in collecting the tales is woven throughout the book. Beautiful color photos of Kenyan storytellers and the animals portrayed in the stories illustrate her journey and the tales.
Myths and Legends
Amos Daragon #2: The Key of Braha
Amos survived his first mission as Mask Wearer, but soon after that, an encounter with a mysterious girl brings his life to an end– and sends him on his way to Braha, the City of the Dead, where soulds await judgment. To get there, Amos, now a spirit himself, boards a boat, on which he meets Jerik, a decapitated criminal who must carry his head everywhere.
Jerik tells Amos that Braha is overcrowded with spiritsl the gods have shut the doors that lead to paradise and to hell. A key is said to unlock the doors–but it’s whereabouts are unknown. Only soneone who dies and comes back to life can find it.
Will Amos be that someone? Will his ingenuity and intellegence be enough to restore order in Braha? Or will he unknowingly serve those who are using him for their own gain?
Most importantly, even if Amos finds the key, will he ever return to the land of the living?
Peaceweaver
Sixteen-year-old Hild hates the perpetual fighting between men of her kingdom and others, but when she is sent to marry a neighboring king, supposedly to ensure peace, she must tap into her own abilities with the sword and choose between loyalty and honor.
Sun, Moon, and Stars
This story discusses the stories which people from the ancient world told to explain their understanding of what they could see in the sky.
Olympians: Hades: Lord of the Dead
Volume 4 of the highly acclaimed Olympians series. Hades: Lord of the Deadtells the story of the great God of the Underworld and one of the most famous of all Greek myths: Hades’ abduction of Persephone and her mother’s revenge. Be prepared to see a new side of Persephone in this dynamic adaptation of the story of the creation of the seasons.In Olympians, O’Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct and retell classic Greek myths. But these stories aren’t sedate, scholarly works. They’re action-packed, fast-paced, high-drama adventures with monsters, romance, and not a few huge explosions. O’Connor’s vibrant, kinetic art brings ancient tales to undeniable life in a perfect fusion of super-hero aesthetics and ancient Greek mythology.
Gifts From The Gods
Ancient names come to rich and fascinating life in this lavishly illustrated gift book for mythology fans and word lovers. Did you know that “museums” were initially temples built to worship the nine muses, the goddesses of the arts? That “Janus” was the god of the doorways and hallways, and we have named our janitors after him?Where did these words — and other words, such as chaos, genius, nemesis, panic, echo, and narcissus — come from? From the ancient stories of the Greeks — stories that rang so true and wise that the names of the characters have survived for centuries as words we use every day. The brief stories here not only impart the subtle wisdom of these ancient tales, but make us understand the words, and our own world, more deeply.
Hercules: The Man, the Myth, the Hero
Based on the Greek myth, here the legendary Greek hero Hercules recounts his daring adventures. Award-winning children’s book author Kathryn Lasky takes readers on a tour of Hercules’ incredible life, from his prodigious infancy, through his twelve labors, and ending with his heroic ascent to Mount Olympus.
Persephone
Based on the Greek myth of the beautiful young goddess who is snatched by Hades and taken to the underworld, this beautifully illustrated classic brings to life one of the world’s most ancient legends–the origins of the seasons.
The Mouse Couple
A mouse couple, in search of the mightiest husband for their daughter, approach the sun, the clouds, the wind, and a butte, before the unexpected victor finally appears.
Zinnia: How The Corn Was Saved
A retelling of the Indian legend which explains why the Navajo always plant a scattering of zinnia flowers among their food crops and respect every spider.