Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This beautifully presented book offers a stimulating approach to the timeless, universal stories that are central to every culture. More than 50 compelling myths and legends from around the world are explained through stunning works of art and ancient artefacts, each supported by informative text and comprehensive annotation. Presented country by country, the book offers a fascinating guide to the amazing characters of world mythology and to the cultures that created them. The fantastic world of fables and sagas this book discusses will delight enthusiasts and general readers alike.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Philip uses art in various formsÄfrom Chinese plates to Norwegian wooden church doors to the paintings of RaphaelÄto illustrate and illuminate 56 myths and legends. The Greco/Roman tradition receives the largest coverage (23 entries plus a family tree), but many other world cultures are included. Each page is colorful and informative, with details of the artwork sidebarred for further explanation and arrows with captions pointing out details relevant to the myths. General text on each page gives basic information, and an index is included. But although most artworks are identified, a small number are not, for no apparent reason. Some of the items pointed out and captioned ("wet hair," "thread") seem embarrassingly obvious, and the introduction is perhaps overly ambitious in its cultural comparisons. Nonetheless, this is a typically excellent DK offering, recommended for school libraries at all levels and for public library collections.ÄKatherine K. Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Philip has written several works on myths and legends for younger audiences. With this title, he ventures to use similar approaches in a slightly more formal presentation. Unfortunately, readers have no idea why certain myths and legends were chosen and others excluded, nor is there any explanation why more countries were not represented. The author makes very good use of artifacts, paintings, and other materials to elaborate different points of the story, combining art history and classical and cultural studies. The book's value would have been increased had the author included additional readings; many readers whose curiosity is piqued may not realize the wealth of resources available, especially in the relation of art to mythology. Recommended for high school and community college libraries; of supplemental interest for college libraries. M. C. Su; Pennsylvania State University, Altoona Campus

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Neil Philip is a writer, folklorist and poet. He is married to the artist Emma Bradford, and lives in the Cotswolds, England. Neil loves words, poetry, and the art of storytelling in all its forms. Among his many books are A Fine Anger, Victorian Village Life, The Cinderella Story, The Penguin Book of English Folktales, Mythology (with Philip Wilkinson), The Great Mystery, War and the Pity of War, The New Oxford Book of Childrens Verse, The Tale of Sir Gawain, Horse Hooves & Chicken Feet, and The Adventures of Odysseus. Neil has contributed to numerous journals, including The Times, and Signal: Approaches to Childrens Books, and has also written for stage, screen, and radio. His work has won numerous awards and honours, including the Aesop Award of the American Folklore Society and the Literary Criticism Book Award of the Childrens Literature Association.

(Bowker Author Biography)