American Folklore

Welcome to the United States of Cryptids, where mysterious monsters lurk in the dark forests, deep lakes, and sticky swamps of all fifty states. From the infamous Jersey Devil to the obscure Snallygaster, travel writer and chronicler of the strange J. W. Ocker not only uncovers the bizarre stories of these creatures but investigates the ways in which communities have embraced and celebrated their local cryptids.

In Backwoods Witchcraft, Jake Richards offers up a folksy stew of family stories, lore, omens, rituals, and conjure crafts that he learned from his great-grandmother, his grandmother, and his grandfather, a Baptist minister who Jake remembers could "rid someone of a fever with an egg or stop up the blood in a wound." The witchcraft practiced in Appalachia is very much a folk magic of place, a tradition that honors the seen and unseen beings that inhabit the land as well as the soil, roots, and plant life.

These uproarious American folk stories, retold by master storyteller Jim Weiss, will have you laughing and pondering too. You’ll hear about Paul Bunyan, taller than the trees and mightier than the rivers; Johnny Appleseed, whose gentle generosity made him a beloved legend; and Pecos Bill, whose outrageous Texas-sized exploits made him the greatest of all cowboys. There’s even one of Jim’s own tales; a tongue-twisting, hilarious tale of the Old West. The entire family will listen to this recording over and over again.

Embark on a chilling journey across the United States with "Fear & Folklore: American Monsters." This gripping exploration delves into the shadows of American history to unearth the most notorious cryptids and monsters that have haunted the nation's collective imagination. From the misty woodlands of the Pacific Northwest to the eerie swamps of Louisiana, this collection reveals the tales behind some of the most enduring legends. Encounter the elusive Bigfoot, the ominous Jersey Devil, and the winged harbinger of doom, Mothman, each with its own haunting narrative that has captivated ...

Listen and relive exciting tales from Highlights, now on audio! Learn about a boy at a Spanish market who knocks over a stand of avocados down a hill and makes guacamole and about a jungle that is full of terror at the thought that a monster could be lurking in the shadows, along with other stories.

An extraordinary compilation of legends and rituals about nature's ever-present signs. From the birds that soar above us to the insects beneath our feet, Native American healer Bobby Lake-Thom shows how the creatures of the earth can aid us in healing and self-knowledge. “There are ancient...

Dive into the chilling depths of American history with 'Fear & Folklore: American Witches,' a riveting exploration of the dark and mysterious world of witches in the United States. From the earliest days of the Virginia colonies in 1626, where Joan Wright faced accusations of witchcraft, to the haunting trials of Mary Johnson in Connecticut, found guilty of 'familiarity with the devil' in 1648, this book unearths the buried secrets of America's witch trials. While the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692 take center stage, 'Fear & Folklore' delves deeper into the shadows, uncovering the ...

Ghost Stories of the Appalachian Trail: 30 Chilling Tales of Real Hauntings and Legends The Appalachian Trail winds through some of America's most rugged and mysterious wilderness — and not everything lurking in the woods can be explained. In this spine-tingling collection, explore 30 short stories inspired by real events, ghostly encounters, and chilling Appalachian folklore. From vanished hikers and phantom lights to haunted hollows and ancient curses, each story will leave you wondering what's hiding just beyond the next bend in the trail. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or ...

Unravel the Meaning Behind Ancient Native American Myths Long before the written word, Indigenous tribes across North America passed down powerful oral traditions—stories of mighty Thunderbirds, trickster spirits, and dark omens that shaped their understanding of the world. But these myths are more than just stories—they reveal deep spiritual insights, survival wisdom, and the forces that shaped Native cultures. In Native American Myths: Stories & Their Hidden Meanings, explore not only the myths themselves but also the deeper symbolism, history, and impact they have had on Indigenous ...

A charming and comic debut novel about a quirky ensemble embarking on an epic quest to find Bigfoot “American Mythology is a riveting, big-hearted novel about a group of pilgrims who encounter both the mysteries of nature and ultimately those of the human heart. Giano Cromley has given us a...

In the deep hollows where the modern world fades to a whisper, the old ways still hold power. The land is alive, the water holds memories, and ancient things slumber under the hills. For generations, quiet families have served as the keepers of these secrets, their lives bound to a sacred trust. This anthology of ten short stories opens a doorway into this hidden country. Inside, you'll discover: A botanist whose arrogance pits him against a forest with a will of its own. A woman whose gift allows her to hear the ghosts of a creek, a power she must wield to save her valley. A logger whose ...

In Fear & Folklore: Grave Robbers, delve into the sinister underworld of those who dared to disturb the sanctity of the dead. This gripping account weaves together chilling tales of wily resurrection men and audacious grave robbers who turned cemeteries into their hunting grounds across America. Meet Rufus Cantrell, the notorious body snatcher of Indianapolis, whose cunning operations supplied medical schools with freshly exhumed cadavers, turning the macabre into profit. Then, journey to Florida, where the eerie tale of Count Carl Von Cosel unfolds—a man so consumed by love that he ...

Some legends don’t want to stay hidden—and some secrets won’t stay buried. When a Navajo girl vanishes in the high desert of Arizona, Lux Branson is asked to help, even though this time the stakes are deeply personal. Her old friend Jackson believes his girlfriend was taken by a Skinwalker—an evil shapeshifter from Navajo lore. Skeptical but determined, Lux joins the search. The deeper they go into the red rock canyons and sacred lands, the more disturbing the evidence becomes. Something ancient is watching. And it doesn’t want them to leave. With time running out and local ...

The story tells of the making of the very first ball of fire. Trinidad wavers between the British and the French and SouCou is a slave, stolen from her beloved homeland. Born a Sharman in Africa she is a prized possession because of her talents, she finds love then heart break but through it all she wants her daughter to be free. She refuses to believe that her new owner Governor Yant will keep any of his promises and instead bargains with the God of Fire, Shango to grant her, her heart’s desire in exchange for her very soul ... but SouCou’s rage is so powerful that she does not die, ...

A northern white couple has relocated to the South to operate a vineyard on a North Carolina plantation. There, they pass their idle hours listening to the stories of one Uncle Julius, who has a deep knowledge of the land. These stories, however, are more than mere entertainments. They all have their time and place, and they offer not only a quiet commentary on the events of the day but also a deeper reckoning with the plantation’s disturbing past.

Explore captivating Native American myths.

The blood of soldiers is not the only thing soaking the fields of Gettysburg. For Eli Ward, a Union sharpshooter, the battle is a grim calculus of distance and wind. But as the sun sets on the second day of fighting, the familiar horrors of war are twisted into a nightmare he could never imagine. The screams echoing in the twilight are no longer just from the wounded, but from things that hunt in the shadows, creatures born of rage and bloodlust. When Eli is forced into a desperate alliance with a Confederate soldier—an enemy he tried to kill just hours before—they uncover a terrifying ...

Bigfoot, the chupacabra, and thunderbirds aren't just figments of our overactive imaginations - according to thousands of eyewitnesses, they exist, in every corner of the United States. Throughout America's history, shocked onlookers have seen unbelievable creatures of every stripe - from sea serpents to apelike beings, giant bats to monkeymen - in every region.

The forest has a secret, and it is watching. You are not alone in the wild. Something ancient, intelligent, and territorial lurks just beyond the firelight. It mimics voices. It builds structures that defy logic. It observes, it plans, and it waits. This collection of 25 terrifying tales explores the chilling encounters of those who ventured too far and discovered the horrifying truth. From a lone hiker paced by an unseen creature to a camper who hears their own voice call from the darkness, these narratives are a descent into primal dread. These are not simple monster-in-the-woods tales. ...

Few events have sparked more legends and stories of the supernatural than America's Civil War. The accounts of gallantry and heroism have spread far and wide. Nancy Roberts grew up listening to her father's stories of the War Between the States, and she trekked over many battle sites with him during her childhood. After reading about General Joshua Chamberlain's supernatural experience at the Battle of Gettysburg, Roberts began to collect tales of the blue and gray and write them down.