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Epic Myths for Fearless Girls
15 myths from around the world, reinterpreted by master storyteller Claudia Martin and celebrated children's illustrator Khoa Le.
Discover mighty goddesses and magical heroines from around the world in this inspirational collection-and unleash your own inner strength!
This collection showcases narratives that celebrate strong, independent women. They run free and possess the qualities we would hope for in our daughters and self-confidence, strength, wits, courage, fearlessness, and independence.
Myths
• Mami Wata's Golden Comb (Liberia)
• Freyja's Necklace (Norse)
• Durga and the Buffalo Demon (India)
• Amaterasu and the Cave (Japan)
• Isis Discovers the Name of Ra (Egypt)
• Sedna of the Sea (Inuit)
• Pandora and the Jar (Greece)
• Nu Wa and the Pillars of Heaven (China)
• Hina Journeys to the Moon (Polynesia)
• The Girl and the Windigo (Ojibwe)
• Oochigeas and the Invisible One (Mi'kmaq)
• Pele Fights with her Sister (Hawai'i)
• Oshun Brings Water (Yorusha)
• The Trials of Étain (Ireland)
• Xquic and the Empty Net (Maya)
Ideal for children aged 7+.
ABOUT THE Arcturus Publishing's Inspiring Heroines series retells classic children's stories, showcasing strong female protagonists who strike out against adversity and smash stereotypes. Featuring enchanting full-colour illustrations by Khoa Le, these empowering tales will inspire young readers to dream big.
Discover mighty goddesses and magical heroines from around the world in this inspirational collection-and unleash your own inner strength!
This collection showcases narratives that celebrate strong, independent women. They run free and possess the qualities we would hope for in our daughters and self-confidence, strength, wits, courage, fearlessness, and independence.
Myths
• Mami Wata's Golden Comb (Liberia)
• Freyja's Necklace (Norse)
• Durga and the Buffalo Demon (India)
• Amaterasu and the Cave (Japan)
• Isis Discovers the Name of Ra (Egypt)
• Sedna of the Sea (Inuit)
• Pandora and the Jar (Greece)
• Nu Wa and the Pillars of Heaven (China)
• Hina Journeys to the Moon (Polynesia)
• The Girl and the Windigo (Ojibwe)
• Oochigeas and the Invisible One (Mi'kmaq)
• Pele Fights with her Sister (Hawai'i)
• Oshun Brings Water (Yorusha)
• The Trials of Étain (Ireland)
• Xquic and the Empty Net (Maya)
Ideal for children aged 7+.
ABOUT THE Arcturus Publishing's Inspiring Heroines series retells classic children's stories, showcasing strong female protagonists who strike out against adversity and smash stereotypes. Featuring enchanting full-colour illustrations by Khoa Le, these empowering tales will inspire young readers to dream big.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
6 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 30, 2023
Hats off to the author's note on historical context! Always love to see that.
I adored the STUNNING illustrations in this book! They were absolutely magical and a perfect pairing to the many myths that were portrayed. I also appreciated the diversity of myths that were included, from the typically found Greek, Egyptian, and Norse, but also Polynesian, First Nations, Mayan, West African, and more! The focus on multiple characteristics of strength in the female heroines was beautiful to see as well.
(I only take issue with the word "myths" and wish "legends" would have been used instead.)
I adored the STUNNING illustrations in this book! They were absolutely magical and a perfect pairing to the many myths that were portrayed. I also appreciated the diversity of myths that were included, from the typically found Greek, Egyptian, and Norse, but also Polynesian, First Nations, Mayan, West African, and more! The focus on multiple characteristics of strength in the female heroines was beautiful to see as well.
(I only take issue with the word "myths" and wish "legends" would have been used instead.)
April 15, 2023
The stories are cool, the writing is sometimes meh; worth paying the $5 at Five Below for the amazing illustrations.
August 2, 2022
Gorgeous illustrations accompany ancient myths and tales to show that heroines come from all types of situations and show bravery in very different ways.
This is a collection of fifteen myths from around the world. They spread over beliefs, cultures, and time to include a wide variety of heroines and plots. In an introduction, the author explains that each tale centers on a heroine. While some are more classic ideas of what a true heroine should be, others show that heroines can come from various backgrounds and may have been heroic in surprising ways. Plus, the idea of what heroic is also includes a wide range of possibilities. Two of the myths have changed endings so as to allow the initial 'heroines' to do more than stay at home...but it's pointed out which two these are. The rest settle close to the original tales, or at least, how they are told today.
This is a gorgeous book, whose illustrations live up to the myths. The cultures and time frames shine through, allowing the reader to sink into the various 'worlds' and get a glimpse at the different cultures and themes. Each page includes a small design, which correlates to the tale, while each 2-page spread holds one full illustration. It is a treat to simply flip through and gaze at these, and let the various settings and situation sink in.
I was surprised at the variety of myths and even as a myth-lover, stumbled on several I hadn't heard before. From the well-known Greek gods to Eskimo legends and tales from Asia and beyond, the entire world seems to find a place. This allows for a vast assortment on heroines and plots, making sure that none are like the others. There were a few things mentioned in the myths, which weren't really explained or shown (like a kora), but these were far and few between. The tales are easy to understand and sink into, and open up history as well as the various views of different cultures nicely.
While this does make a nice addition for group settings and those, who are wanting to dive into the theme of myths and legends, it also makes a very lovely read on its own. It's one of those books, which can easily be added to the shelf and enjoyed for many years to come. I received an ARC and enjoyed the collection quite a bit.
This is a collection of fifteen myths from around the world. They spread over beliefs, cultures, and time to include a wide variety of heroines and plots. In an introduction, the author explains that each tale centers on a heroine. While some are more classic ideas of what a true heroine should be, others show that heroines can come from various backgrounds and may have been heroic in surprising ways. Plus, the idea of what heroic is also includes a wide range of possibilities. Two of the myths have changed endings so as to allow the initial 'heroines' to do more than stay at home...but it's pointed out which two these are. The rest settle close to the original tales, or at least, how they are told today.
This is a gorgeous book, whose illustrations live up to the myths. The cultures and time frames shine through, allowing the reader to sink into the various 'worlds' and get a glimpse at the different cultures and themes. Each page includes a small design, which correlates to the tale, while each 2-page spread holds one full illustration. It is a treat to simply flip through and gaze at these, and let the various settings and situation sink in.
I was surprised at the variety of myths and even as a myth-lover, stumbled on several I hadn't heard before. From the well-known Greek gods to Eskimo legends and tales from Asia and beyond, the entire world seems to find a place. This allows for a vast assortment on heroines and plots, making sure that none are like the others. There were a few things mentioned in the myths, which weren't really explained or shown (like a kora), but these were far and few between. The tales are easy to understand and sink into, and open up history as well as the various views of different cultures nicely.
While this does make a nice addition for group settings and those, who are wanting to dive into the theme of myths and legends, it also makes a very lovely read on its own. It's one of those books, which can easily be added to the shelf and enjoyed for many years to come. I received an ARC and enjoyed the collection quite a bit.
August 7, 2024
Dieses Review bezieht sich auf die deutsche Übersetzung, erschienen unter der ISBN 3845858893 bei arsEdition.
Wer in der Mythologie zu Hause ist, wird wissen, dass immer wieder starke und mutige Frauen (oder Mädchen) die Geschicke der Zeit beeinflussen. Claudia Martin hat sich an 15 Mythen gewagt, die sie nach ihrem Gutdünken nacherzählt. Im Vorwort erklärt sie, dass diese Geschichten früher immer im Wandel waren, weil sie ausschließlich mündlich überliefert wurden. Ich finde es vollkommen okay, dass sie die Geschichten auf ihre Art nacherzählt und dabei hier und da vielleicht die weibliche Hauptfigur etwas deutlicher herausarbeitet.
Mir hat es sehr gefallen, dass die 15 Geschichten aus aller Herren Länder stammen, so dass mir einige unbekannt waren, was vor allem für die asiatischen Mythen gilt. Die Autorin hat zur Info in einem Satz unter dem Titel erwähnt, aus welcher Region bzw. aus welchem Kulturkreis die Vorlage stammt. Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass die junge und jung gebliebene Leserschaft zumindest so manchen Namen gehört hat, aber nicht immer die Geschichten dahinter kennen. Oder vielleicht ist auch der Mythos auf andere Weise bekannt.
So oder so erzählt die Autorin die Geschichten kindgerecht nach, so dass auch bei etwas gruseligen Teilen, keine Alpträume bei den Kindern zu befürchten sind. Teilweise hat die Autorin nicht nur die Frauen ins Zentrum der Erzählung gestellt, sondern auch gleich die Mythen etwas entschärft. Illustriert wurden die Geschichten ebenfalls sehr kindgerecht von Khoa Le. Ich fand die Zeichnungen vollkommen okay, aber mehr auch nicht. Einfach so, wie ich sie in einem Kinderbuch erwarten würde.
Fazit
Die 15 Nacherzählungen von Mythen aus aller Welt, in denen Mädchen oder Frauen die Fäden in der Hand halten, sind sehr gelungen und geben einen Einblick in die unterschiedlichsten Kulturkreise der Erde. Ich kann dieses Buch allen empfehlen, die gerne in Mythen und Sagen unterwegs sind und mal über den europäischen Tellerrand schauen wollen.
Wer in der Mythologie zu Hause ist, wird wissen, dass immer wieder starke und mutige Frauen (oder Mädchen) die Geschicke der Zeit beeinflussen. Claudia Martin hat sich an 15 Mythen gewagt, die sie nach ihrem Gutdünken nacherzählt. Im Vorwort erklärt sie, dass diese Geschichten früher immer im Wandel waren, weil sie ausschließlich mündlich überliefert wurden. Ich finde es vollkommen okay, dass sie die Geschichten auf ihre Art nacherzählt und dabei hier und da vielleicht die weibliche Hauptfigur etwas deutlicher herausarbeitet.
Mir hat es sehr gefallen, dass die 15 Geschichten aus aller Herren Länder stammen, so dass mir einige unbekannt waren, was vor allem für die asiatischen Mythen gilt. Die Autorin hat zur Info in einem Satz unter dem Titel erwähnt, aus welcher Region bzw. aus welchem Kulturkreis die Vorlage stammt. Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass die junge und jung gebliebene Leserschaft zumindest so manchen Namen gehört hat, aber nicht immer die Geschichten dahinter kennen. Oder vielleicht ist auch der Mythos auf andere Weise bekannt.
So oder so erzählt die Autorin die Geschichten kindgerecht nach, so dass auch bei etwas gruseligen Teilen, keine Alpträume bei den Kindern zu befürchten sind. Teilweise hat die Autorin nicht nur die Frauen ins Zentrum der Erzählung gestellt, sondern auch gleich die Mythen etwas entschärft. Illustriert wurden die Geschichten ebenfalls sehr kindgerecht von Khoa Le. Ich fand die Zeichnungen vollkommen okay, aber mehr auch nicht. Einfach so, wie ich sie in einem Kinderbuch erwarten würde.
Fazit
Die 15 Nacherzählungen von Mythen aus aller Welt, in denen Mädchen oder Frauen die Fäden in der Hand halten, sind sehr gelungen und geben einen Einblick in die unterschiedlichsten Kulturkreise der Erde. Ich kann dieses Buch allen empfehlen, die gerne in Mythen und Sagen unterwegs sind und mal über den europäischen Tellerrand schauen wollen.
November 23, 2023
Epic Myths for Fearless Girls is a collection of short stories from many different cultures, each featuring female protagonists who dare, who are brave even though they are scared, who protect and save their loved ones, who outsmart the villains and stand up to gods and demons. Sometimes the protagonist is an ordinary girl with a kind heart; in other tales she is a jealous goddess who learns a valuable lesson - or teaches one.
The myths come from all around the globe including Polynesian, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Native American, West African, Greek, and Norse, among others, and highlight the strength and wisdom of the women in them.
This is aimed at younger readers - age 8-12yo or so - and the tales are written in an easy to read format. Each tale is accompanied with clear illustrations highlighting key passages in the stories.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, and an inspiration for girls everywhere.
~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~
The myths come from all around the globe including Polynesian, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Native American, West African, Greek, and Norse, among others, and highlight the strength and wisdom of the women in them.
This is aimed at younger readers - age 8-12yo or so - and the tales are written in an easy to read format. Each tale is accompanied with clear illustrations highlighting key passages in the stories.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, and an inspiration for girls everywhere.
~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~
October 19, 2023
My favorite thing about this book was the GORGEOUS illustrations! I loved reading these stories, I actually learned about so many myths I never knew existed. The format is super easy to read, perfect for inspiring the younger generations to be as amazing as the heroines in the stories.
March 9, 2023
READING DIARY - 5
I loved this book. Great read for a bedtime story!
I loved this book. Great read for a bedtime story!
May 30, 2023
4.5*, rounded up to 5* so the average rating better reflects the quality of the book.
This was a nice curation of fairy tales from around the world. If I were a young girl growing up, I would have LOVED to have this book. There's tales from Africa to Europe to Asia to the Americas and Pacific Islands, so the curation is diverse.
The writing is serviceable and sometimes nice and poetic, but it's marked by what I associate with the very Millennial tendency to overuse dialogue tags (no one ever "says" anything, they "cry," they "scream," they "lament," etc.). I think it's the author's attempt to inject more life and emotions into the characters and stories to make them more relatable to impressionable young girls. I at least appreciate the effort, because it shows that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but pressing on in spite of it, and that it's okay to have emotions. It's very spoon-fed to you that the girls doubt themselves, that sometimes they're unsure or afraid, and they can be sad and angry. It was sometimes a little too much for me (every line seemed to inject some sort of emotion into the characters, which can be jarring when each story is so short), but maybe that's because I'm used to more sterile interpretations of myths. The writing for some reason noticeably improves over the course of the book from beginning to end, being less choppy and less heavy-handed with its emotions.
The illustrations by Khoa Le are ABSOLUTELY!!! GORGEOUS!!! Breath-taking!!! Artful!!! Masterful!! Being an artist myself, I am extremely picky and particular with art and rarely use those kinds of words to describe it. But Khoa Le is obviously a very skilled artist, and it feels like a privilege to be able to hold and admire the beautiful artwork in your hands like this. There's so much richness and depth in the colors and the artful representation of mythical/fantastical/abstract scenes, like how in Sedna's story her hair seems to be part of the ocean. However, a complaint I have is that I'm confused as to why some of the illustrations were chosen to illustrate particular scenes. A lot of the illustrations seemed pretty...irrelevant to the story, as in, there were so many things I WANTED to see illustrated, and then we would get something inconsequential as an illustrated scene instead.
There needs to be better copy-editing, because I noticed three typos (missing or incorrect punctuation). But overall a very solid book. I'm glad for the lessons it teaches and grateful people everywhere, especially young people, will have a chance to grow up learning them. I hope too that having another collection of diverse stories will inspire more people to learn about other cultures and mythology outside of the Eurocentric ones we usually learn in the West.
It seems it's a Five Below exclusive book? It's worth much more than the $5 steal you're getting it for, which I think is a shame, but at least it will hopefully be more accessible to a larger audience because of it. If you see it, I'd recommend getting it, even if only for the collection of artwork inside :)
This was a nice curation of fairy tales from around the world. If I were a young girl growing up, I would have LOVED to have this book. There's tales from Africa to Europe to Asia to the Americas and Pacific Islands, so the curation is diverse.
The writing is serviceable and sometimes nice and poetic, but it's marked by what I associate with the very Millennial tendency to overuse dialogue tags (no one ever "says" anything, they "cry," they "scream," they "lament," etc.). I think it's the author's attempt to inject more life and emotions into the characters and stories to make them more relatable to impressionable young girls. I at least appreciate the effort, because it shows that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but pressing on in spite of it, and that it's okay to have emotions. It's very spoon-fed to you that the girls doubt themselves, that sometimes they're unsure or afraid, and they can be sad and angry. It was sometimes a little too much for me (every line seemed to inject some sort of emotion into the characters, which can be jarring when each story is so short), but maybe that's because I'm used to more sterile interpretations of myths. The writing for some reason noticeably improves over the course of the book from beginning to end, being less choppy and less heavy-handed with its emotions.
The illustrations by Khoa Le are ABSOLUTELY!!! GORGEOUS!!! Breath-taking!!! Artful!!! Masterful!! Being an artist myself, I am extremely picky and particular with art and rarely use those kinds of words to describe it. But Khoa Le is obviously a very skilled artist, and it feels like a privilege to be able to hold and admire the beautiful artwork in your hands like this. There's so much richness and depth in the colors and the artful representation of mythical/fantastical/abstract scenes, like how in Sedna's story her hair seems to be part of the ocean. However, a complaint I have is that I'm confused as to why some of the illustrations were chosen to illustrate particular scenes. A lot of the illustrations seemed pretty...irrelevant to the story, as in, there were so many things I WANTED to see illustrated, and then we would get something inconsequential as an illustrated scene instead.
There needs to be better copy-editing, because I noticed three typos (missing or incorrect punctuation). But overall a very solid book. I'm glad for the lessons it teaches and grateful people everywhere, especially young people, will have a chance to grow up learning them. I hope too that having another collection of diverse stories will inspire more people to learn about other cultures and mythology outside of the Eurocentric ones we usually learn in the West.
It seems it's a Five Below exclusive book? It's worth much more than the $5 steal you're getting it for, which I think is a shame, but at least it will hopefully be more accessible to a larger audience because of it. If you see it, I'd recommend getting it, even if only for the collection of artwork inside :)
October 10, 2023
Want a story compilation of a group of kick ass and epic women throughout myth and legend? Look no further, this book has exactly what you need.
Covering Indian, Norse, Japanese, Egyptian and Greek myths amongst others, they shed light on some absolutely fab women in creation myths ans origin stories; it made for compelling and entertaining reading. The accompanying illustrations were also a fab addition.
Broken up into short, easy to read stories, it makes them perfect for young readers and younger audiences (as well easily enjoyed by the older ones too. ie me. Who loved reading them too). They’re all made of the perfect length and the right amount of detail to give you the myth in all its glory and in a way to be enjoyed by all.
We have Freyja who comes up with an ingenious way to get out of an unwanted marriage, a girl who just wants to fix her fathers boat, a young girl faces against the terrors of a Windigo and an awful lot more!
The girl strength and tales of showing men just what women are capable makes the women in these stories not to be underestimated! There’s many examples of women who have overcome it all or shown strength in the face of challenge and adversity.
A perfect book selection showcasing Fearless girls wrapped up in perfect little stories.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Covering Indian, Norse, Japanese, Egyptian and Greek myths amongst others, they shed light on some absolutely fab women in creation myths ans origin stories; it made for compelling and entertaining reading. The accompanying illustrations were also a fab addition.
Broken up into short, easy to read stories, it makes them perfect for young readers and younger audiences (as well easily enjoyed by the older ones too. ie me. Who loved reading them too). They’re all made of the perfect length and the right amount of detail to give you the myth in all its glory and in a way to be enjoyed by all.
We have Freyja who comes up with an ingenious way to get out of an unwanted marriage, a girl who just wants to fix her fathers boat, a young girl faces against the terrors of a Windigo and an awful lot more!
The girl strength and tales of showing men just what women are capable makes the women in these stories not to be underestimated! There’s many examples of women who have overcome it all or shown strength in the face of challenge and adversity.
A perfect book selection showcasing Fearless girls wrapped up in perfect little stories.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
October 11, 2023
I received a free copy of this from NetGalley and I'm really impressed! A great selection of myths from many different cultures, not just the Greek ones we're so familiar with. Ive given 4 stars as I think they stories could have gone even further in positioning the heroines as stronger, more independent and not reliant on the male counterparts. For example, Sedna was great, but she had to sacrifice her human life to escape a husband. Why not sacrifice the husband to save her human life?
Some great messages for younger girls, but I'd have loved if they were even stronger.
Wonderful illustrations, too.
Some great messages for younger girls, but I'd have loved if they were even stronger.
Wonderful illustrations, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2023
Extremely beautiful illustrations. I was not appealed by the stories, for some reason I didn't find them convincing enough. Given that these are very ancient myths, I guess we should leave logic and reasoning out the door before we walk into this realm.
I am quiet imaginative myself, but even so it was a bit of a stretch for me.
But don't stop yourself from reading, the illustrations are tooo good.
I am quiet imaginative myself, but even so it was a bit of a stretch for me.
But don't stop yourself from reading, the illustrations are tooo good.
December 29, 2023
(technically a DNF, but due to time and not the book!)
I'm a big folklore reader, and I loved this book. A couple of stories I knew, but many that I hadn't heard of before.
Highly recommended
I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.
I'm a big folklore reader, and I loved this book. A couple of stories I knew, but many that I hadn't heard of before.
Highly recommended
I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.
November 7, 2023
Thanks to Arcturus Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC!
I loved the myths presented in this book because it gives attention to lesser known myths and cultures. Like every body knows about Those wedding and Loki turning into a horse. The care taken here was pleasing.
The art is also stunning!
I loved the myths presented in this book because it gives attention to lesser known myths and cultures. Like every body knows about Those wedding and Loki turning into a horse. The care taken here was pleasing.
The art is also stunning!
April 2, 2023
Both the stories within and the art inside are amazing!
July 4, 2024
Interesting tales about brave young women
Read
October 8, 2024mad that they rewrote the nordic tale so it was freya’s idea instead of loki
like normally i would not notice or care but. loki. marvel has made me a bit too attached to that dude lol
wonderful art
like normally i would not notice or care but. loki. marvel has made me a bit too attached to that dude lol
wonderful art
October 6, 2025
Wenn Mut viele Gesichter hat, dann zeigt dieses Buch sie alle. 🌍✨
Ich habe "Spannende Mythen von mutigen Mädchen" eher zufällig in die Hände bekommen – und war nach den ersten Seiten schon ziemlich begeistert. Hier geht’s nicht um die x-te Prinzessin mit Happy End, sondern um echte Heldinnen aus alten Mythen und Kulturen rund um den Globus. Inuit, Griechenland, Japan, China, Polynesien, Yoruba, Irland, Maya, Mi’kmaq – die Autorinnen nehmen uns mit auf eine Weltreise voller Geschichten über Mut, Verlust, Liebe und das Über-sich-Hinauswachsen.
Was dich erwartet:
Das Buch besteht aus vielen kurzen Mythen, erzählt in einem angenehm flüssigen Stil. Es ist leicht zu lesen, aber trotzdem nicht oberflächlich – die Themen sind oft tiefgründig, manchmal auch traurig oder nachdenklich. Manche Geschichten drehen sich um Mut im klassischen Sinne (Kämpfen, Retten, Überwinden), andere zeigen, dass Mut auch heißen kann, klug zu sein, loszulassen oder für andere da zu sein.
Besonders schön sind die Illustrationen. Jede Seite ist ein kleines Kunstwerk – bunt, liebevoll und perfekt abgestimmt auf den Ton der jeweiligen Geschichte. Man merkt, dass hier mit Herz gearbeitet wurde.
Vielfalt ohne Grenzen:
Was ich wirklich liebe: Die Autorinnen zeigen Mut in so vielen kulturellen Formen. Es geht nicht nur um bekannte Mythen aus Europa, sondern auch um Geschichten aus Regionen, die in westlichen Kinderbüchern oft kaum vorkommen. So lernen Kinder ganz nebenbei etwas über andere Länder, Namen und Traditionen – ohne dass es sich wie Unterricht anfühlt.
Man merkt, wie viel Recherche und Respekt in der Auswahl steckt. Und genau das macht das Buch so wertvoll: Es repräsentiert Kulturen aus der ganzen Welt, ohne sie zu exotisieren oder zu vereinfachen.
Aber (ja, es gibt ein kleines Aber):
Die Geschichten sind sehr kurz. Manchmal fast zu kurz – ich hätte mir öfter gewünscht, dass sie noch ein bisschen weitergehen oder mehr Hintergrund liefern. Gerade wenn man so richtig in eine Mythologie eintaucht, ist der Text plötzlich vorbei.
Und: Nicht alle Geschichten sind für ganz kleine Kinder geeignet. Es gibt Themen wie Tod, Verlust oder Opfermut – das ist völlig in Ordnung, aber Kinder müssen das verarbeiten können. Ich würde sagen, ab 8 Jahren funktioniert das Buch am besten – oder zum Vorlesen mit begleitendem Gespräch.
Warum es sich trotzdem absolut lohnt:
Trotz kleiner Schwächen ist das Buch ein echter Schatz. Es zeigt, dass Heldinnen überall auf der Welt vorkommen – und dass Mut viele Gesichter hat. Es ist inspirierend, schön anzusehen und perfekt, um Kindern (und Erwachsenen!) Lust zu machen, sich selbst weiter mit den Mythen der Welt zu beschäftigen.
Außerdem: Dieses Buch macht neugierig. Man will danach wirklich googeln, weiterlesen, vergleichen. Genau so soll Kinderliteratur meiner Meinung nach sein – sie öffnet Türen, statt sie zu schließen.
Mein Fazit:
Ein wunderbar illustriertes, interkulturelles Buch voller spannender, emotionaler und kraftvoller Geschichten. Ideal zum Vorlesen, Schmökern oder einfach als kleine tägliche Portion Inspiration. 💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ von 5 Sternen.
Ein Muss für alle, die starke Mädchen, alte Geschichten und wunderschöne Illustrationen lieben.
Ich habe "Spannende Mythen von mutigen Mädchen" eher zufällig in die Hände bekommen – und war nach den ersten Seiten schon ziemlich begeistert. Hier geht’s nicht um die x-te Prinzessin mit Happy End, sondern um echte Heldinnen aus alten Mythen und Kulturen rund um den Globus. Inuit, Griechenland, Japan, China, Polynesien, Yoruba, Irland, Maya, Mi’kmaq – die Autorinnen nehmen uns mit auf eine Weltreise voller Geschichten über Mut, Verlust, Liebe und das Über-sich-Hinauswachsen.
Was dich erwartet:
Das Buch besteht aus vielen kurzen Mythen, erzählt in einem angenehm flüssigen Stil. Es ist leicht zu lesen, aber trotzdem nicht oberflächlich – die Themen sind oft tiefgründig, manchmal auch traurig oder nachdenklich. Manche Geschichten drehen sich um Mut im klassischen Sinne (Kämpfen, Retten, Überwinden), andere zeigen, dass Mut auch heißen kann, klug zu sein, loszulassen oder für andere da zu sein.
Besonders schön sind die Illustrationen. Jede Seite ist ein kleines Kunstwerk – bunt, liebevoll und perfekt abgestimmt auf den Ton der jeweiligen Geschichte. Man merkt, dass hier mit Herz gearbeitet wurde.
Vielfalt ohne Grenzen:
Was ich wirklich liebe: Die Autorinnen zeigen Mut in so vielen kulturellen Formen. Es geht nicht nur um bekannte Mythen aus Europa, sondern auch um Geschichten aus Regionen, die in westlichen Kinderbüchern oft kaum vorkommen. So lernen Kinder ganz nebenbei etwas über andere Länder, Namen und Traditionen – ohne dass es sich wie Unterricht anfühlt.
Man merkt, wie viel Recherche und Respekt in der Auswahl steckt. Und genau das macht das Buch so wertvoll: Es repräsentiert Kulturen aus der ganzen Welt, ohne sie zu exotisieren oder zu vereinfachen.
Aber (ja, es gibt ein kleines Aber):
Die Geschichten sind sehr kurz. Manchmal fast zu kurz – ich hätte mir öfter gewünscht, dass sie noch ein bisschen weitergehen oder mehr Hintergrund liefern. Gerade wenn man so richtig in eine Mythologie eintaucht, ist der Text plötzlich vorbei.
Und: Nicht alle Geschichten sind für ganz kleine Kinder geeignet. Es gibt Themen wie Tod, Verlust oder Opfermut – das ist völlig in Ordnung, aber Kinder müssen das verarbeiten können. Ich würde sagen, ab 8 Jahren funktioniert das Buch am besten – oder zum Vorlesen mit begleitendem Gespräch.
Warum es sich trotzdem absolut lohnt:
Trotz kleiner Schwächen ist das Buch ein echter Schatz. Es zeigt, dass Heldinnen überall auf der Welt vorkommen – und dass Mut viele Gesichter hat. Es ist inspirierend, schön anzusehen und perfekt, um Kindern (und Erwachsenen!) Lust zu machen, sich selbst weiter mit den Mythen der Welt zu beschäftigen.
Außerdem: Dieses Buch macht neugierig. Man will danach wirklich googeln, weiterlesen, vergleichen. Genau so soll Kinderliteratur meiner Meinung nach sein – sie öffnet Türen, statt sie zu schließen.
Mein Fazit:
Ein wunderbar illustriertes, interkulturelles Buch voller spannender, emotionaler und kraftvoller Geschichten. Ideal zum Vorlesen, Schmökern oder einfach als kleine tägliche Portion Inspiration. 💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ von 5 Sternen.
Ein Muss für alle, die starke Mädchen, alte Geschichten und wunderschöne Illustrationen lieben.
October 9, 2022
This is a collection of fifteen myths from around the world. It is stunningly packaged in a full-colour hardback edition that is perfect for gift-giving. The tales encompass cultures, values and different time periods.
The book celebrates magical heroines and mighty goddesses from a variety of backgrounds that are involved in very interesting and riveting plots.
The illustrations are beautifully executed and the message is inspiring.
"This collection showcases narratives that celebrate strong, independent women. They run free and possess the qualities we would hope for in our daughters and friends: self-confidence, strength, wits, courage, fearlessness, and independence."
With the entire world as a stage these well-chosen and thrilling myths are sure to be ingested with gusto by the reader. Follow the adventures of spirited Sedna, who protects the animals of the ocean, selfless Tanis who saves her village from a terrible monster and brave Japlo who outwits a water spirit. Each story is easy to comprehend and opens up a window into the history, cultures and beliefs of others to enjoy. This magnificent collection of myths and legends may just encourage readers to unleash their own inner strength and make a difference in their own world. I highly recommend this book!
The book celebrates magical heroines and mighty goddesses from a variety of backgrounds that are involved in very interesting and riveting plots.
The illustrations are beautifully executed and the message is inspiring.
"This collection showcases narratives that celebrate strong, independent women. They run free and possess the qualities we would hope for in our daughters and friends: self-confidence, strength, wits, courage, fearlessness, and independence."
With the entire world as a stage these well-chosen and thrilling myths are sure to be ingested with gusto by the reader. Follow the adventures of spirited Sedna, who protects the animals of the ocean, selfless Tanis who saves her village from a terrible monster and brave Japlo who outwits a water spirit. Each story is easy to comprehend and opens up a window into the history, cultures and beliefs of others to enjoy. This magnificent collection of myths and legends may just encourage readers to unleash their own inner strength and make a difference in their own world. I highly recommend this book!
November 5, 2023
*I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
This book is a great way to introduce younger readers to the myths from a variety of cultures. The writing style is well suited for the target audience of middle grade-age readers. I can easily see this book inspiring these readers to seek out more about the cultures and myths represented. So many well-known myths focus on the male characters with women often serving as the villain of the piece, so it is nice to see stories with the female characters being the heroes. Each story is short so they make for the perfect light reading before bed or while waiting for an appointment or a class to begin. This is not a graphic novel, but it does have illustrations spread throughout. These illustrations help readers better visualize what the characters in the myth look like and what they are doing at different parts of the story. I highly recommend this book for school and/or classroom libraries!
This book is a great way to introduce younger readers to the myths from a variety of cultures. The writing style is well suited for the target audience of middle grade-age readers. I can easily see this book inspiring these readers to seek out more about the cultures and myths represented. So many well-known myths focus on the male characters with women often serving as the villain of the piece, so it is nice to see stories with the female characters being the heroes. Each story is short so they make for the perfect light reading before bed or while waiting for an appointment or a class to begin. This is not a graphic novel, but it does have illustrations spread throughout. These illustrations help readers better visualize what the characters in the myth look like and what they are doing at different parts of the story. I highly recommend this book for school and/or classroom libraries!
February 10, 2025
I read this children book and found it enjoyable, wonderful, good, excellent and joyful. It is very good for children to reading because in the book got some pictures to look at . I recommended you reading for yourself or with your children
November 7, 2025
Epic Myths for Fearless Girls is a lovely collection of myths centered on fearless girls women. The tales are interesting and captivating and the illustration is complementary to tales. It's a great book to inspire little girls.
November 14, 2023
A beautifully illustrated book on the epic tales of women in mythology. It covers stories often overshadowed by their male counterparts. Although the writing can be simplified at times, all ages can enjoy these tales.
Thank you to Netgalley and Arcturus Publishing for this ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and Arcturus Publishing for this ARC.
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