Chambers, Catherine. American Indian Stories and Legends.

Chambers, Catherine.  American Indian Stories and Legends.  Capstone/Heinemann  2014      48p   ISBN 978-1-4109-5469-5  series: All About Myths  ms  E-BN   Mythology 

Myths and stories of various Indian tribes from the Americas are presented with related information.  Myths and legends are differentiated from each other, and   stories are grouped by topic.  The introduction differentiates between myth and legend. In each section, some characters from the whole range of Native American tribes are introduced, and then there is a story  from one tradition.  The stories are grouped by genre.  Creation, heroes and villains, cunning tricksters, and death and the afterlife are the story genres covered.  There are special blocks of extra information titled “Did You Know”, “Who’s Who”, and “Myth Links.”

Whereas only one story for each genre is included in this book, the extra information gives a picture of the range of related stories.  This title is an excellent way to introduce readers to the rich realm of  Native American literature.  There are not many titles available that introduce readers to the full range of American Indian stories.  This title provides a good introduction and will lead interested readers to dig deeper. 

The All About Myths series includes three titles: American Indian Stories and Legends, Chinese Myths and Legends, and Greek Myths and Legends.

Summary: Myths and stories of various Indian tribes from the Americas are presented with related information.  Myths and legends are differentiated from each other, and   stories are grouped by topic.  

Native Americans-Stories                                    --Joan Theal

Chambers, Catherine. African Myths and Legends.

Chambers, Catherine.    African Myths and Legends.    Capstone/Heinemann      2013 48p    ISBN 978-1-4109-4971-4  series: All About Myths ms  Hardback  VG  Nonfiction

This visually appealing volume in the All About Myths series aims to make the myths and legends of cultures throughout the African continent accessible to ‘tween readers by exploring the gods, goddesses, heroes, villains, tricksters, and quests that make African myths and legends so compelling.  This is not a subject that is often paired with this age group.  The book is neither a children's picture book nor an exhaustive encyclopaedia; instead, it mixes dramatic retellings of select myths with factual information to give readers an intriguing glimpse into the variety of myths of the African continent.  There is not a great deal of organization to the volume, so it can be difficult to tell which culture produced which myth.  However, there are further additional resources suggested that readers can take advantage of independently if they wish to know more about a particular figure or legend.  There is a pronunciation guide and a list of key figures at the end; however, both are extremely limited and do not sufficiently address their intended subjects.  Truly, it is the excellently matched colors and well-selected photos that help prevent this book from being a somewhat disorienting chore to read.  

This series of four volumes mixes dramatic retellings and non-fiction information to give a full picture of a culture’s myths, exploring gods, goddesses, heroes, villains, tricksters, and quests.  Given the unique combination of subject matter and intended age group, this is probably a good volume to have in most libraries, since it is a good starter resource for students writing reports.    

Summary: Part of the All About Myths series, this volume explores the myths and legends of various African peoples in brief chapters filled with colorful photographs and illustrations.     

African myths                                               --Bethany Geleskie