Reviews (2)

Mythbusters a bust
I did not realize that this book was based on a television show because I do not watch television. I thought it was about debunking urban legends such as alligators in New York sewers and such; I was not expecting a lot of scientific proofs of how balloons fly and so on. I definitely wasted my money on this one.

BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION
This show is in its 4th Season, and Adam and Jamie STILL haven't run out of urban legends to put the scientific test to. Fascinating and fun science. Nice to have 30 of the best myths in book form, but the real way to enjoy "Mythbusters" is to watch the show -- every week on Discovery -- and to buy the DVD collections.And if you love Mythbusters, be sure to pick up all of the books by Jan Harold Brunvand ("The Baby Train", "The Choking Doberman", "Curses! Broiled Again!", "The Urban Legend Encyclopedia", and many more titles). Also, check out the new book "Turn Me On, Dead Man" by Andru J. Reeve. It explores, in depth, the entire story behind the Paul McCartney Death Hoax of 1969. Like the Mythbusters, Reeve gets to the truth behind the myth.Buy all of these books and DVDs right here at Amazon.com and watch "Mythbusters" every Wednesday on Discovery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Curiosities & Wonders    2. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    3. General    4. Movie / TV Tie-Ins    5. Movie-TV Tie-In - General    6. Mythbusters (Television program)    7. Performing Arts    8. Performing Arts/Dance    9. Science    10. Television - Guides & Reviews    11. Television Plays And Programs    12. Urban folklore    13. Wonders And Curiosities    14. Customs & folklore    15. Performing Arts / Television / Guides & Reviews    16. Reference works    17. Unexplained phenomena   

Reviews (10)

Fun -and- educational.
This is one for both the scholar who needs a quick reference and the casual enthusiast looking to impress friends with mythical trivia (not that many people have friends who are so easily impressed).
very nice
As others have mentioned, this book is an encyclopedia and as such contains mostly facts.The stories and legends mentioned in the book are briefly surmised.The pictures are all in black and white.Most beings mentioned in the book are not pictured.Having no other similar book to compare this to, I'd say it's pretty complete.I've never heard of most of the creatures listed.I did find a few beings missing that I think are important and sometimes there are multiple entries for the same subject, under different and sometimes very similar names.
A Very Good Encyclopedia
Carol Rose has produced an amazing book with loads of fun information, however, it is an encyclopedia as it says. Although very helpful, it can be a tedious read at times. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology    2. Fiction    3. Folklore & Mythology    4. Reference    5. Sociology    6. Folklore    7. Reference works   

Reviews (15)

A Classic, With Many Life Lessons
This is a pure classic, with many life lessons that withstand the test of time.
Wonderful and Timeless Classic
Cinderella is a children's classic romantic story that is timeless. The story has been adapted for various movies. I read the story decades ago when I was a kid. It was only recently when I was looking for a present for my five years old daughter that I bought the book and went through it again with her. We also saw the excellent video that complemented the beautiful story in the book.
Absoulutely unforgettable
this book still makes me laugh and smile when i read it and it will alwyas be a classic, and will be told from generations from generations, the mice are hilarious, and of course it teaches you of the friendship you make. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    4. Fairy tales    5. Folklore    6. France    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Movie Tie - In    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Movie or Television Tie-In   

Features

• Unabridged

Reviews (2)

Resonates with me
Clarissa's warm and accomplished speaking voice together with her insight into all women is must-hear book.Mesmerizing and ringing with wisdom, this book resonates with me from start to finish.I have read her book and heard it on tape a few times and continue to find new insights into myself.Women who want to find their own inner truth, wisdom and creativity will find this a safe and inviting journey with Clarissa.

Fab-u-lus!
Soothing voice, charming stories, thoughtful and intelligent interpretations, relevant and useful to daily life. Ms. Estes is my new good friend. I have purchased more of her audio books after being so delighted with this one. Thanks Clarissa! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Social Science    4. Unabridged Audio - Inspirational/Philosophy    5. Women's Studies - General   

Reviews (8)

Eye opener.
Okay I seem to be the only person giving the book 4 stars.
Very Mysterious
This is a great book not only for what it contains but also the references to many other books for those Atlantologists who want to do further research.
Lemuria and Atlantis: Studying the Past to Survive the Futur
When Shirley Andrews invited me to be included in her book, I was very interested in the nature of her work and took great pleasure as I watched the book unfold.Her research was meticulous, her understanding was sensitive and profoundly respectful to the knowledge she researched.Her interest in the sharing of others thoughts and experiences of those times showed someone who had a deep passion for the subject and its underlying truth.Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlantis    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Lemuria    4. Mythical Civilizations    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Philosophy    7. Body, Mind & Spirit / Mythical Civilizations    8. Controversial Knowledge & Mysteries    9. Myths & mythology   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Common fallacies    3. Folklore & Mythology    4. General    5. History    6. History (Specific Aspects)    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Humor    10. Miscellanea    11. Popular culture    12. United States    13. History / General   

Reviews (7)

Florida at its weirdest!!
Funny, wacky, well-written and super illustrations. This is a terrific book on our beloved state. Do not be confused by another book with the same name. It's Charley Carlson who has our state perfectly in his sights. Love this book and strongly recommend it.

Kind of a "weird Florida map"....but, I caution...
It was interesting and fun to see these wacky sites plus to read the folklore, and it does kind of aid the tourist who wants to see weird parts of
Superficial Collection of Florida Oddities
This is a rather odd collection of novelty sites in Florida.Some involve ghost stories, and others are natural phenomena.The book won't serve as a guide of places to visit, as details on location are sketchy.It is colorfully illustrated with photos.
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Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Social Science    3. Sociology    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    6. FLORIDA - FL Folklore/Humor TRD HC    7. Florida    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (16)

Seven Blind Mice
This is an excellent book especially for Kindergarten or lst graders.It is great to use for predicting and keep a young readers attention.

Great teaching tool for teachers.
The book I chose was Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young, which won a Caldecott award for its illustrations.This is a book that could really be used to teach many different things children. From the color wheel in art to working together as a team to get to your goal, it has it all. The story tells about seven blind mice that discover something different in their pond where they live. They decide to go out one at a time on different days to try to figure out what the something is. On each day the mice that went sees something different from the previous mice that went. They all seem to think it is something different. In the end they work together to figure out what the something is which turns out to be elephant. The moral of the story is if you work together as a team you can accomplish any task but alone you can not.
Kids learn that wisdom comes from seeing the whole
The Indian story of the blind men and the elephant has to be one of the most popular and familiar tales from the sub-continent, and the well-known story receives some nice twists in this book written and illustrated by Ed Young.This time around it is "Seven Blind Mice" who are one day surprised to find a strange something by their pond.They all cry "What is it?" and then run home.Each day, one by one, they investigate the mystery and each returns to report something different to the others, insisting it is a pillar, a snake, a cliff, and so on.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Elephants    5. Fables    6. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    7. Folklore    8. Folklore & Mythology    9. India    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title   

Reviews (6)

Very fun reading
My son loved this book and shared the stories with his friends.

Don't let anyone convince you..

Packed with fun - and social legends
Urban legends are unbelievable 'city stories' which abound, from the amazing kidney thief who will leave his victims in a tub of ice to the alligator in the toilet or the ghost children of San Antonio who, killed on train tracks, saves anyone whose car would stall nearby. From the 'real' men in black who thwart alien reports to the rude cookie-eater, URBAN Legends: 666 Absolutely True Stories That Happened To A Friend Of A Friend Of A Friend is packed with fun - and social legends.
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Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    3. General    4. Humor    5. Legends    6. Sociology    7. United States    8. Urban folklore    9. Customs & folklore    10. Folklore    11. Humor / General    12. Humour    13. Myths & mythology    14. SOCIAL SCIENCE / Folklore & Mythology    15. Trivia & quiz question books   

Reviews (4)

colorful, fantastical, mesmerizing
I just loved this book. The "weird" series that Mark and Mark have hatched are all a lot of fun. But the real magic of this New England edition boils down to the peerless writing of Joseph Citro, a legendary New England author whose supernatural tales predate the Mark and Mark phenomenon by many years. Citro's mastery of the genre is at full tilt here, made all the more tingle-producing through color-filled pages and special effects.

A GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!
I saw this book at my aunts house and started reading it. I though it was very interesting so I went out and bought it my self. I read the entire book in a week. Now I am out getting more books. I already have Weird U.S. and want more. A must read. It is very interesting and shows you things you can visit and see.

Not what I expected
Overall the book was written well and full of interesting tales. I expected more pictures and more places that could be visited today. Mostly the book was of tales up to 200 years old. I suppose I could have read the description closer to what the book was about before purchasing it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. General    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Special Interest - General    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - Northeast - New England (General)    9. MASSACHUSETTS/NewEng - MS/NE Folklore/Humor    10. Travel / United States / Northeast / New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)   

Reviews (12)

166 Quickies
Sorting through many of the American Indian Myths (As if there was a homogenized group called American Indians) Richard Erdoes and Alfonzo Ortiz selected 166 short, one or two page, stories. These stories look like the pre-curser to the urban legends today.
Fantastic Collection of Stories from the First Nations
Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz really did a wonderful job putting together this compilation. Taking various stories from North America, the duo covers traditional tales of everyone from the Aleut to the Toltecs and pretty much everything in between. Every region and culture group is represented, and tales from well known Nations such as the Cherokee, Lakota, Dine (Navajo), Apache and Iroquois appear beside those of less well known (but no less vibrant and culturally active) Nations such as the Miwok, Caddo, Metis and Shasta. Hopefully this will help expand people's views of Native American culture. After all, stereotypical views of "Indians" rarely include the Nations of California or the Pacific Northwest, or even the Southern Woodlands (the original homeland of the Cherokee and their neighbors). Obviously not every Nation could be represented, but this is still an excellent survey of the continent. It does a wonderful job showing how common cultural themes have woven their way across this entire continent, helping to reinforce the culture and customs of the First Nations. And at the same time, it also shows how each culture was different, having its own beliefs, customs and practices unique to themselves. Good storyteller
Adult storybook....Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    2. Folklore    3. Folklore & Mythology    4. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    5. Indian mythology    6. Indians of North America    7. Legends    8. Literature: Folklore/Mythology    9. North America    10. Northwest, Pacific    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. Fiction / Fairy Tales    14. Myth & legend told as fiction   

Reviews (1)

A Winner
This is the first book by Donald Hickey that I have bought and read and it is an outstanding, if somewhat unusual book, on the War of 1812.Because of this, I have just ordered two more books by the author.
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Subjects:  1. Errors, inventions, etc    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military - Other    8. Military - United States    9. Miscellanea    10. United States    11. United States - 19th Century    12. United States - Antebellum Era    13. War of 1812    14. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    15. History / Military / United States    16. USA    17. United Kingdom, Great Britain    18. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (17)

A Semi-Gothic Fairy Tale
Cinderella Skeleton is a great and simple children's book with a setting like a Tim Burton film. Set in a graveyard, Cinderella Skeleton is the classic tale of Cinderella retold with an undead cast of characters. The story is full of wonderful and mildly creepy rhymes and great word choice. An example of the great word choice is, "Her build was long and lean and lank; her dankish hair hung down in hanks." The book offers lots of wonderful illustrations and plenty of interesting twists in the story. One such example is when Cinderella is running away from the prince and instead of her shoe falling off, her whole foot just snaps off. All of the illustrations are wonderful and wonderfully creepy, too. In closing any early or starting reader would love Cinderella Skeleton; it also makes a great book to read out loud to your kids or class, too!
An entertaining book
Cinderella Skeleton is a great book, with an entertaining idea. It is the same Cinderella story except made into a Halloween style. I like the story of Cinderella Skeleton better than the original Cinderella because the idea of the story was different and more entertaining to me. What is really cool about this book is how the author uses sentence fluency to add rhythm and make every sentence rhyme. For example "Prince Charnel summoned one and all to his frightfully famous Halloween Ball." I think this book will interest anyone who likes different ideas and books that rhyme. I really enjoyed this book and so did my other classmates. I liked every aspect about it. I like the idea the wording and the voice the book had. What is different about this book is that it takes an original idea like Cinderella and turns into an interesting idea. This book has some unusual parts, for example instead of only her slipper falling her whole foot falls with it.Overall this was an entertaining book.

A Spooky Cinderella Tale
My fourth grade students loved this version of cinderella very much!Imagine their delight when Cinderella not only loses her shoe but also her foot.Spooky yet funny! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    6. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Humorous Retelling    7. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    8. Fairy tales    9. Folklore    10. Holidays & Celebrations - Halloween    11. Humorous Stories    12. Juvenile Fiction    13. Juvenile Performing Arts    14. Stories in rhyme    15. Fiction    16. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories    17. Picture books   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Reference Source
I really enjoy this book because it's an excellent reference souce for quick reference of god/goddess/mythology at my finger tips.It also provides detailed information and summaries of mythology from around the world just as the title states. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    4. Mythology    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Myths & mythology    8. Religion & Theology | Mythology & Folklore    9. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (15)

...and?
I don't get it.These are stories that give us a glimpse into African culture, where "fat" is healthy, and watering holes are sources of life.
Disappointing
I have read and enjoyed all the volumes involving the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."This was a book I eagerly anticipated, but found very disappointing.The stories seem to be simply retellings of very simple, but ambiguous, themes.It didn't have anything which stuck with me (except a quizzical expression on my face, I guess).

Thirty-three simply told African folktales; some will inspire, some will puzzle, some will just make you smile.

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Subjects:  1. Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology    2. Fiction    3. Folklore    4. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    5. Literature: Folklore/Mythology    6. Ndebele (African people)    7. Sociology    8. Tales    9. Tswana (African people)    10. Zimbabwe    11. Fiction / Folklore   

Reviews (3)

Two ways to count to ten
What I dislike about this book is that the book is suitable for second and third graders not sixth graders like me. So I wish for a chapter book. So for kids in grades second or third I would purchase alot of these books for them. I give it 3 stars.

A multi-cultural math tale
I have used this book to teach mathematic lessons to grades one through three. It serves as a great springboard for discussion on factors, prime numbers and patterns.The pictures are delightful and the children love to make predictions on just who will make the King happy.My students choose to return to this book over and over again.

Two Ways to Count to Ten
I really enjoyed this retelling of a Liberian folk tale.This book is a great book for helping young readers to explore math concepts like counting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - African    6. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    7. Folklore   

Editorial Review

Panicky Henny-Penny and her fine fearful feathered friends are all in a dither. The sky is falling and they must tell the king! Inthis hilarious, pun-packed adaptation of the classic tale, Jane Wattenberg updates the text with rockin' rollin' rhythm and hip-hoppin' panache: "'What's buzzin', cousins?' breezed Ducky-Lucky and Drake-Cake." "'Why the scowl, fowl?' gobbled Turkey-Lurkey." "'What's clickin', chicken?' pauwk, pauwked Cocky-Locky." Foxy-Loxy, that cunning cad, that greedy grunge, that skanky prankster, leads the flighty flock straight intohis evil lunch room, and that's the end of that for all except Henny-Penny, who squawks: "Chicka-chicka-bunga! I forgot to lay my egg today!" and runs lickety-split home again.Read more

Reviews (7)

Two Stars for Art
These recent books don't appeal to me because I think they're needlessly confusing with their varying fonts and font sizes. I can't imagine what children must think, although from the other reviews some children love them. I give the two stars for the fun artwork, but in looking at the artwork the story is cast aside. One day this trend will pass away, and I will be grateful.

A Little Weird for Traditionalists Like Me
This should be put in the category of newfangled spin-offs, not in the category of classic stories.What made my son love Henny Penny was the classic repetition of the same words, each time adding a new phrase.While this edition uses words in a fun way, the repetition is buried in other clever language so that one to three year olds just won't pick it up.My toddler and preschooler were bored, it went over their heads, while a teenage friend was fascinated.This is a great book for children who are already familiar with the classic version.

You Lucky Ducky! You Found The Right Version of Hen Pen!
Click on this title by accident? Serendipity! Keep reading.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Birds    2. Chickens    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Humorous Retelling    8. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    9. Folklore    10. Juvenile Fiction   

Reviews (2)

Great if you like that sortof thing!
Great if you like that sort of thing to read. I have to read it for my req'd college class, so I'm not in love with it, but it's good if you have to read it.

The essential elements of the Western tradition (Volume 1)
I have been laying the groundwork for putting together a two-semester Humanities course, which has meant checking out potential textbooks.What attracted me to "The Western Humanities" by Roy T. Matthews and F. DeWitt Platt was that in addition to the two textbooks, there were not only a pair of additional books with readings from literature and philosophy, but also a pair of CDs with music.So, for example, when students are studying the High Middle Ages, students learn all about feudalism, medieval Christianity and the church, and the equilibrium between the spiritual and the secular in the text of the chapter, which includes looks at the art and architecture of the period.The corresponding readings for this chapter would include "The Song of Roland," Chretien de Troyes' "Lancelot," Marie de France's "Lais" (Lays), Thomas Aquinas' "Summa Theologica," and Dante's "The Divine Comedy."Then on the CD there is the hymn "O Pastor Animarum" by Hildegard of Bingen (obviously, music selections are rarer when you are dealing with the Renaissance and earlier periods).Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization, Western    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. World - General    9. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    10. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (10)

A gathering of winter traditions from many sources
Most people who celebrate Christmas know that numerous elements of our modern traditions come from older religions than Christianity, but the range of source traditions astounds me. There is, for instance, no one source of the practice of observing the winter solstice itself, of myths involving the death or sacrifice and rebirth of a deity, or of father and son symbols for the old year and the new. Many sources are cited in the book as possible origins of Santa Claus, of the giving of gifts, and the custom of bringing greenery indoors.
Tradition and ritual without faith
I've always loved Christmas.But a few years ago I deconverted from faith; I found myself, as an atheist and humanist, longing for a connection to the holiday I loved.This book helped me forge a new perspective on, and a new connection with, Christmas as a worldly and human celebration.
getting into the spirit
a fascinating and stimulating account that seems to put things into the proper perspective. Makes the myths all the more enjoyable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Customs & Traditions    3. Folklore & Mythology    4. History    5. Holidays (non religious)    6. Holidays - Christmas    7. Inspirational    8. Inspirational - General    9. Religion    10. Winter solstice    11. Body, Mind & Spirit / Spiritualism   

Reviews (1)

Ian Myles Slater on: An Attractive Alternative
Jesse L. Byock, who has written some splendid works on medieval Iceland and the Sagas of the Icelanders, and translated two of the legendary sagas, as "The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer" and "The Saga of Hrolf Kraki," the latter two both available as Penguin Classics, here offers a new translation of the most famous and entertaining parts of another Icelandic work, "The Prose Edda." The prose is lively and clear, and the translations of verse made with attention to the use made of the passages in the surrounding text. There are helpful notes, and a very useful index, giving proper Icelandic forms, including variants, for the usually Anglicized names.