Quarto Kids | 27 July 2020

August Book List: 10 Fairy Tales, Folktales, Myths and Legends

Experience new magical worlds and revisit old favorites with these 10 books on fairy tales, folktales, myths and legends!


Secrets of the Witch
By Julie Légère and Elsa Whyte and illustrated by Laura Pérez
Ages 9-14, 80 pages, hardcover


Explore the mystical history of witches throughout time and all over the world. Discover the symbols of witchcraft, reveal the magic of crystals and become familiar with the spellbinding lore of the witch. Since ancient times, magic and witchcraft have inspired both fear and fascination. More recently, witchcraft has become a popular symbol for feminist empowerment. Everything a young witch needs to know is contained in Secrets of the Witch. Uncover the meaning and history behind magical tools and symbols such as cauldrons and pentagrams, find out the truths of the Salem Witch Trials and learn about witches in popular culture, from the ancient figure of Circe to Hermione Granger.


Mythologica
By Dr. Stephen P Kershaw and illustrated by Victoria Topping
Ages 8-12, 112 pages, hardcover


Amazon’s No. 1 Children’s Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2019 is an illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology like no other. Uncover the colorful lives of 50 powerful gods and goddesses, earth-dwelling mortals and terrifying monsters as you journey back in time to ancient Greece. From the fearless Athena and her meddlesome ways to the brave and bold Odysseus and his remarkable journey home, discover why these incredible stories are still a part of our culture today.


The Kingdom of Nothing
By Ronald Wohlman and illustrated by Dylan Hewitt
Ages 3-6, 52 pages, hardcover


In the kingdom of Nothing, there really was nothing. No toys or TVs. No tablets or phones. No bicycles or tricycles or anything at all. Yet, with nothing in their kingdom, the Queen and the King, the Princess and the Prince, were still the happiest family in the land. And the reason why is simple. They all knew that the things in life that can bring you the most joy are around you all the time. You just need to know where to look for them.


Power to the Princess
By Vita Murrow and illustrated by Julia Bereciartu
Ages 5-8, 96 pages, hardcover


What if princesses didn’t always marry Prince Charming and live happily ever after? In this stunning anthology – elegantly presented in a red, clothbound hard cover with gold-toned metallic debossing – 15 favorite fairytales have been retold for a new generation. These princesses are smart, funny and kind, and can do anything they set their minds to.


Illuminightmare
By Lucy Brownridge and illustrated by Carnovsky
Ages 7-11, 64 pages, hardcover


For thousands of years, people from every corner of the globe have told stories, folk tales and legends about unnerving encounters with the supernatural. Often, a haunted place has a rich history we can see in our earthly world. And sometimes this history echoes on in the form of ghosts or supernatural spirits. Here, incredible interactive illustrations reveal the history and haunted secrets of the 10 most haunted places in the world


The Story Orchestra: Swan Lake
By Katy Flint and illustrated by Jessica Courtney Tickle
Ages 5-9, 24 pages, hardcover


This tale of a prince, a beautiful swan princess and an evil sorcerer begins in a woodland clearing far, far away. It is Prince Siegfried’s 21st birthday. He is playing games with his friends when his mother, the Queen, arrives to tell him he needs to stop having fun and start looking after the kingdom. Prince Siegfried dreams of running away. He follows an enchanting flock of swans to a clearing by a lake, where four of the little cygnets begin to dance. The most beautiful swan transforms into the Princess Odette, who tells him that she has been cursed to turn into a swan by day and return to her natural form at night by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart. As the prince and Odette dance, they begin to fall in love.


A Year Full of Stories: 10 of the world’s greatest mysteries explained
By Kathryn Hulick and illustrated by Gordy Wright
Ages 10-14, 128 pages, hardcover


Prepare to have your mind blown! As you explore ten of the world’s greatest unsolved mysteries, you’ll witness a UFO encounter, search for the lost city of Atlantis, tour a haunted house and discover the kraken’s true form. Along the way, you’ll use the scientific method and sharp thinking to separate fact from fiction and explain the unexplainable.


A Year Full of Stories
By Angela McAllister and illustrated by Christopher Corr
Ages 6-9, 128 pages, hardcover


Turn the pages and get lost in a year full of stories as you journey around the world reading tale after tale to keep story time alive from one end of the year to the other. This rich resource collects together folk tales from home and legends and myths from distant lands to commemorate the changing seasons, cultural events and international festivals throughout the year.


The Big Book of Twisted Fairy Tales
By Sue Nicholson and illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino
Ages 5-7, 96 pages, hardcover


The Fairytale Friends series brings fairy tales into the modern day and features scenarios that young children can relate to and learn from. Each story in this new picture book series focuses on a different fairy tale character, a different strength or core virtue, and a challenge to overcome, often with the help of their friends. Readers will enjoy spotting characters from other books and recognizing key elements of the original fairy tale while enjoying the new twist. Notes and questions at the back of the book will summarize what the character has learnt and prompt further discussion while activities will provide more fairytale fun.


The Sound of Magic: Cinderella
By Sanna Mander
Ages 4-7, 24 pages, hardcover


Experience the magic of Cinderella like never before with this gorgeous interactive sound book, which comes complete with your very own sparkling gold-foil magic wand! Become the Fairy Godmother’s assistant by tapping the wand on the musical notes as you read the story. Then listen and see the magic happen as you turn the page. Follow the story of the unfortunate, rag-clothed girl who dreams of going to the ball, brought to life with magical sounds and the colorful, quirky illustrations of Sanna Mander. Tap your wand, when prompted, to turn the pumpkin into a coach, to give Cinderella a beautiful dress, to make Cinderella and the Prince fall in love, and more.


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