Heroes and Horrors

Long before the advent of the printed word, myths, legends, and tales of ghosts, goblins, gods, and monsters passed from generation to generation through dynamic oral traditions that introduced core cultural values and the dangers lurking in the natural world. The series that follow will make young readers the beneficiaries of these vibrant stories from across the globe, and introduce horrors ranging from hideous water serpents to skinny-dipping presidents.

Gr 2-4–Accounts of dragons, trolls, and princesses inundate the pages of children's literature, and this series cleverly seeks to divulge the “truth” behind the legends. Full-page, colorful illustrations and balanced writing highlight what is an outstanding achievement for young readers. The appearance, history, and behaviors of each subject are presented in an engrossing format that discloses fairy tricks, princess problems, and the trouble with trolls. Through clear, large texts, each title discusses legendary stories ranging from princesses in Sleeping Beauty to the infamous troll of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. These books are sure to gain a positive response.

Gr 2-5–Readers of this series will hone their ability to separate fact from fiction as they explore a famous sunken ship, the possibility of a mummy in Disneyland, George Washington's “wooden teeth,” and ghosts of Civil War soldiers. Each chapter poses a question, such as “Did the Hope diamond sink Titanic?” or “Did John Quincy Adams give an interview while naked?” The stories are quickly discussed, evidence is considered, and a verdict reached. Each book contains a smattering of facts as well as a concluding exercise in detection. This method, along with eye-catching illustrations, reproductions, and photos, will allow these books to succeed brilliantly in grabbing the attention of even the most reluctant readers.

Gr 1-3–These tales of cursed ships, haunted tombs, mummies, and vampires could make young readers reach for the nightlight. Oversize black text is juxtaposed with decent photos of ghosts and spooky locations ranging from King Tut's tomb to the Tower of London. Aiding new readers is a simple (although sometimes too much so) writing style and a few definitions of more difficult words such as “executed” and “hypnotize” directly below the text. A few “Fact or Fiction” sections offer such questions as, “Is Bachelor's Grove Cemetery Haunted?” (Ghosts) and “Does Bigfoot Really Exist?” (Monsters). These titles provide compelling material, but are not essential purchases.

Gr 3-8–From the amorous exploits of Zeus to the colossal labors of Hercules, readers encounter the chief gods of the Olympian hierarchy interacting with each other and the unfortunate humans with whom they come into contact. A handful of full-page watercolor scenes and spot art break up what is otherwise a text-heavy presentation. While the short chapters will hold readers' attention, the writing ranges from uninspiring (“Zeus's wife, Hera, was angry about those facts”) to downright corny (“Apollo sang with his eyes closed, his face shining in the moonlight”). Die-hard Percy Jackson fans clamor for stories about the Greek gods, but better choices are available.

Gr 6-8–By presenting 10 myths from each society, the books introduce the colorful cultures, histories, and religions of these ancient civilizations. The authors effectively point out some themes common to all mythology, such as creation stories, the origins of humanity, heroes, gods, death, and the afterlife. Founders both divine and divinely inspired are detailed, from Mesoamerica's Tezcatlipoca to the Iroquois Great Chief. While the spreads are colorful, they are repetitive, and the photographs, for the most part, add little. Also, although the writing is fast paced and covers a diversity of topics, it sometimes oversimplifies the myths and histories to the point of misrepresentation, as in the cases of West African religion and Aztec sacrifice. This is not the best selection for the intended audience.

Gr 4-7–These intriguing books are packed with an expansive diversity of mythological creatures that ranges from Icelandic giants to Chinese dragons. Folktales and myths familiar to many readers, such as those of Paul Bunyan and Polyphemus, the Greek Cyclops of Homeric fame, are placed within an international context with legends ranging from the Eastern European “flesh eating hag with fangs,” Baba Yaga, to the trolls of Norway's Hedal Woods (Giants). A wealth of sidebars and captions on hippogriffs, great horned serpents, and Irish fairies adds depth to the compelling narratives. Supported by vibrant color illustrations, these fascinating and well-written tales will integrate well with social-science curriculums.

These series all have something to offer particular reading levels and interest groups. For early readers, Picture Window's “Fairy-Tale Superstars” is outstanding, while more advanced readers will be drawn to QEB's “QEB Mythologies” (particularly the Monsters volume) and its diversity of information. While librarians should avoid Windmill's “Hotel Olympus,” Capstone's “Truth and Rumors” series combines great structure with captivating illustrations to make it the best of the fact-finder series, and its “Really Scary Stuff” may strike a chord with elementary readers.