A Treasury of Traditional Tales by Teo Georgiev

 We're heading out into the world with today's read and discovering all sorts of tales from around the world. I'm expecting a variety of legends and myths, and hope that we'll see some lesser known tales mixed in. Lovely illustrations are always a plus, too.

Let's just dive in and see what this book holds!

 

A TREASURY OF TRADITIONAL TALES

by Teo Georgiev

Lonely Planet

Middle Grade Fiction  / Myth

144 pages

ages 9 to 12

Meet brave princesses, kind giants, magical elves, and vengeful serpents in this beautifully illustrated collection of traditional tales from around the world.

From African animal fables to Native American trickster tales, curious readers will find 20 spellbinding retellings of ancient stories from across the continents. Take a peek into the memories, fears, and dreams of the people who first told these stories hundreds - or even thousands - of years ago.

Inside A Treasury of Traditional Tales:

• 20 traditional tales from around the world passed down over the years and retold from authors who represent the heritage of each tale's region
• Important lessons on living your best life, facing dangers, being brave, and respecting nature can be found within the stories
• Arranged continent-by-continent with stunning illustrations by Bulgarian born, Finland-based artist, Teo Georghiev
• Stories include: North America - Raven Brings Light to the World (Haida Gwaii, Canada); The Uktena's Diamond (Cherokee Nation, USA); Sisimites (Mexico); Tata Duende (Belize). South America - Nine-Night (Guyana); Iara (Brazil); Pachakamaq and Pachamama (Peru). Africa - The Spider and the Turtle (Nigeria); The Love of a Hippo (Kenya); Why the Owl Flies at Night (Zimbabwe). Europe - The Bear Princess (England); Branwen (Wales); The Seven Wishes (Sweden). Oceania - The Rainbow Serpent (Australia); Māui Discovers Fire (New Zealand); Tigilau Versus Seia (Samoa). Asia - The Merchant and the Parrot (Ancient Persia); The King, the Queen and the Bee (Ancient Israel); The King, the Beetle and the Silk Thread (India); The Magic Dragon Boat (China)

A Treasury of Traditional Tales is the much-anticipated follow-up to Lonely Planet Kids' Myths and Legends of the World and Spooky Stories of the World. This is the ultimate collection of stories for readers who love tales filled with magic, mystery, travel, and adventure.

GOODREADS   /   AMAZON   /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

Showcasing the amazing variety the world holds, each continent stands in the spotlight with legend and myth richness.

This band is broken down into six main chapters according to the six, inhabited continents. There are around five or so tales in each one, each coming from a different region and portraying a different type of myth or legend. There is a general map at the beginning of each chapter, and some of the tales show one as well with a indication of where the tale originates. The legends cover everything from creation to gods to wisdom and more. The characters involve animals and people from various time frames and situations. There are some similarities between several of them but only light, allowing the vast variety to leave an impression.

I don't believe I've read any of the tales before, and it's fun to discover all sorts of new legends and myths. Some carry a hint of familiarity, but these are put together well to keep diversity in characters, cultures, and plots high. Each one is written by a different author to make sure these stay authentic to their area and carry a different voice. Still, the editing follows a similar line to give enough harmony to make this a smooth read no matter which one is picked up. The tales are a little longer (several pages) and are designed to be read one-by-one and not in one sitting (although that is possible, I guess). This makes these great for a story time or broken down sharing for theme presentations or just visiting as time or desire allows.

The text flows nicely and stays in narrative form. The tales are written for the intended age group and steer away from longer descriptions or heavy word dumps. Each tale speeds along nicely and keeps the entertainment value in mind. The illustrations support each tale and offer a visual insight into the culture. Some of these take a slightly more modern twist, while others demonstrate tradition or even fantastical elements. I do wish that each tale held a map but appreciate the number that exist and enjoyed the balance of facts and fiction.

This is a lovely collection for anyone wanting to discover new tales or learn about other cultures.