European Folklore

Magic and myth inhabit these chapters in figures both familiar and strange. Giant trolls and talking animals are everywhere. The winds take human form. A one-eyed old woman might seem reminiscent of the Norse god Odin. We meet sly aunts, resourceful princesses, and devious robbers. These stories, set in Norway's majestic landscape of towering mountains and dense forests, are filled with humor, mischief, and sometimes surprisingly cruel twists of fate. All are rendered in the deceptively simple narrative style perfected by Asbjørnsen and Moe.

With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present, and future of Japan, and in broad yet detailed strokes reveals a country of paradoxes: a modern nation steeped in ancient traditions; a democracy with an emperor as head of state; a famously safe society built on 108 volcanoes resting on the world's most active earthquake zone; a fast-paced urban and technologically advanced country whose land consists predominantly of mountains and forests.

This collection of 10 time-honored tales brims with enchantment, whimsy, and sly humor. Assembled by a renowned poet and student of Gaelic language and culture, this edition includes "The Birth of Bran", "The Little Brawl at Allen", "The Enchanted Cave of Cesh Corran", "Becuma of the White Skin", "Mongan's Frenzy", and other stories.

This new English translation of Icelandic Fairy Tales marks the first time these stories have been translated from German to English, bringing Josef Calasanz Poestion’s celebrated 1884 collection to a new audience. Poestion’s dedication to capturing Iceland’s rugged beauty and mystical heritage shines in each tale, offering a window into a land shaped by glaciers, volcanic peaks, and an enduring love for storytelling. Within this collection, readers will meet a captivating range of characters central to Iceland’s folklore. Giants and giantesses stride through these pages, as noble ...

When Dr. Frederick Miller—a charming, ambitious Manhattan physician—accepts an invitation to meet his influencer girlfriend's family in their secluded upstate village of Dysgood, he thinks he’s securing wealth, legacy, and the perfect life. The Jones family offers him a warm welcome, a lucrative position, and a seat at their impossibly curated table. But Dysgood is not a town. It is a trap. Crowned the "King of May" in a wedding that feels more ritual than romance, Frederick soon finds himself at the center of ancient traditions and seasonal ceremonies that defy modern logic. As the ...

In a magisterial work, Jaan Puhvel unravels the prehistoric Indo-European origins of the traditions of India and Iran, Greece and Rome, of the Celts, Germans, Balts, and Slavs. Utilizing the methodologies of historical linguistics and archaeology, he reconstructs a shared religious, mythological, and cultural heritage. Separate chapters on individual traditions as well as on recurrent themes—god and warrior, king and virgin, fire and water—give life to Comparative Mythology as both a general introduction and a detailed reference.

Quote from Albert Einstein: 'If you want your children to be smart, read them Fairy Tales. If you want them to be smarter, read them more Fairy Tales. Once upon a time... hundred's of years ago... many fairy tales were published throughout Germany and Europe... most notably by the Brother's Grimm, whose stories like Snow White, and Cinderella, are well known all over the world. However, many other authors also published their fascinating Fairy Tales during that time, with many of their stories never reaching the USA...they have remained buried on book shelves in old castles amid the fog of ...

Quote from Albert Einstein: 'If you want your children to be smart, read them Fairy Tales. If you want them to be smarter, read them more Fairy Tales. Once upon a time... hundred's of years ago... many fairy tales were published throughout Germany and Europe... most notably by the Brother's Grimm, whose stories like Snow White, and Cinderella, are well known all over the world. However, many other authors also published their fascinating Fairy Tales during that time with many of their stories never reaching the USA...they have remained buried on book shelves, in old castles, amid the fog of...

Internationally acclaimed Irish folksinger Maura O'Connell narrates seven of the brightest jewels from the Irish storytelling tradition in this magnificent, unabridged recording of Malachy Doyle's Tales from Old Ireland. With its captivating language, larger-than-life characters, dramatic landscapes, and magical happenings, this enchanting collection of favorite Irish folk tales will transport listeners to another world for many happy hours.

Dive into the shadowy realms of folklore and legend with 'Cryptid Chronicles: Myths and Monsters of Europe.' This captivating book is a mesmerizing journey through the ancient lands of Europe, exploring the mysterious and often chilling tales of its legendary creatures. From the murky depths of Scotland's Loch Ness to the enigmatic forests of Slavic folklore, each chapter unfolds the stories of Europe's most intriguing cryptids. Witness the elusive Loch Ness Monster, lurking in the still waters of the Scottish Highlands, and traverse the Alpine peaks in pursuit of the serpentine Tatzelwurm....

The world’s most beautiful bird is about to learn that beauty is no shield against justice. The Pulcher, with feathers that outshine the sunrise, is the envy of the skies—and he knows it. Arrogant and cruel, he bullies his fellow birds without mercy. But when he targets a tiny, unassuming she-sparrow, his vanity leads him into a battle he never saw coming. “Don’t henpeck me, you unpleasant little avian!” the Pulcher trills, dismissing her with his usual contempt. But this sparrow won’t be silenced. She flies north to the Scottish Highlands in search of the legendary She-Eagle, a...

1442. Vlad Dracula is shattered. His life falls apart when he’s exiled from Wallachia’s court. Taken hostage by the Ottomans as a token of his father’s fealty, the child hostage vows to flee or die. A prisoner at the Ottoman Court, Vlad resolves to kill the sultan and escape. But with no one he can trust, not even his brother, Vlad knows his attempt might be his undoing. Can Vlad slay the sultan and liberate Wallachia? Or will his daring undertaking take his life? Den Of Spies is the thrilling first book in The Curse of The Dracula Brothers series of medieval historical fiction with a...

Should the group of survivors venture into the unknown? In the hope for a somewhat normal life and a future for Matei, the family decides to travel south... What was supposed to be a five-hour drive turns into a harrowing experience leading to the discovery of more disturbing creatures. Through an infested children’s camp in the forest, a dark salt mine and an old guest house, they run for their lives, being hunted by vicious monsters. During this horrific journey they stumble upon the thing that makes people sick and eventually turns everyone into growlers. Will at least some of them be ...

This set includes all five Folklore books in the series! Kidnapped by Her Bigfoot, Loved by Her Yeti, Claimed by Her Sasquatch, Rescued by His Mermaid, and Chasing Her Unicorn. Join these couples as they go out searching for folklore characters and find their "happily ever afters", instead.

At a time when nature's inner workings were largely a mystery, people from every walk of life who faced problems or circumstances they were powerless to control sought the help of 'cunning folk'. These wise women and men were often renowned for their skill at healing the sick or predicting the future, fortune-telling and divination, and for their knowledge of spells and potions. Occasionally and tragically, some were condemned as witches for using their powers for ill. But this has tended to obscure the fact that the magic they practised was a normal and accepted part of daily life.

The Faces of Krampus - Angels, demons, elves, Santa Claus, flying horses, and other fantastic beings. “Award Finalist in the Holidays category of the 2018 American Fiction Awards” Sometimes children are not behaving as they should...So Santa Claus doesn't come alone. Meet the bringer of punishments to naughty children. They call him by many names: Black Peter, Krampus, Pelznickel, Knecht Ruprecht, Hanstrapp, Black Pit, and more. But they all refer to the same person, the enforcer of St. Nicholas. A simple chimney sweep who was bullied and mistreated by others becomes the most feared ...

The folklore of Ireland has long been beloved by children across the world, but the lesser-known heroes and villains of Irish legends are the faerie folk. From trickster spirits to slippery shape-shifters, from the tiny leprechaun to the enormous giant, this stunning audiobook will guide you through sixteen remarkable Irish faeries. Inspired by true tales found in the Irish Folklore Collection, this will be a special listen for children everywhere.

Shanahan's Stone is a tale about greed, vengeance, redemption, and love. So much history and mythology has become misinterpreted and altered over the years. Although modern day depictions describe leprechauns as little men dressed in green who hoard pots of gold, ancient Irish folklore depicted them quite differently. Shanahan's Stone breaks from these cliches and many other contemporary Irish stereotypes. It weaves an imaginative and unique story steeped in colorful Irish folklore.