The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend

"The Facts On File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition" is a complete revision that provides an even more extensive survey of myths, legends, and folklore from around the world. With assistance from a team of scholars, James R. Dow has revised and updated the entire text in this comprehensive resource.

Silver on the Tree

The Dark is rising in its last and greatest bid to control the world. Six individuals have come together to drive it back for good: Will, the Sign seeker; Bran, the raven boy; Jane, Simon, and Barney, the grail seekers; and Merriman, the wise mentor who unites them all. Together they stand ready to face the Rider and the full force of the Dark. But the last object of power must first be found. A sword of legend magically forged of pure crystal remains hidden in the Welsh hills. Without it, the Light has no hope against the Dark.

The themes of the series returns time and again, family, alienation, rescue, surviving in a hostile world, helping the less fortunate, are solid themes whether set in medieval Italy, on a planet in a distant star system, or in an urban sitcom. The background of ordinary, uniquely American life overlaid on an unsuspected realm of myth, legend, and theology is merely the setting for these themes to develop and unspool.
Parental guidance. Recommend age 14+

The Legend of Slappy Hooper is an American tall tale, which originally appeared in print as part of a WPA-sponsored collection. Slappy, "the world's biggest, fastest, bestest sign painter," has an oversize problem: the signs he creates are too darn lifelike. His picture of a rose attracts bees, while a sign featuring a hot summer sun melts snow. One catastrophe follows another, until Slappy paints himself out of a job. On the verge of chucking his paint kit into the river, the despairing hero is approached by Michael, from the Heavenly Sign Company, and hired to paint the world's sunrises and sunsets.