The Bronze Cauldron Myths And Legends Of The World [Hardcover]

Geraldine McCaughrean (Author), Bee Willey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Myths and Legends of the World

This bronze cauldron of 27 myths and legends from around the world contains a diverse assortment of tales such as the Indian legend of the young Buddha, the Mayan myth of the monster with emerald teeth, and the German legend of Dr. Faust. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As this book's title might lead readers to hope, the talented McCaughrean and Willey team (The Golden Hoard; The Silver Treasure) indeed serves up a tantalizing brew of storytelling, magic and spice. McCaughrean gathers 27 tales from nearly as many cultures and gives them her own special polish. From her dramatic accounts of Doctor Faust signing his soul over to the Devil, to the clandestine romance between Cupid and Psyche, to an Indian legend about a vicarious trip around the world, McCaughrean covers a broad range of themes and tones. Her careful descriptions evoke exotic lands and characters, while her easygoing, fluid writing and frequent flashes of humor make this collection eminently readable as family or classroom fare. Willey's predominantly dark, surreally hued paintings appear as both smaller spot illustrations and full-page works throughout. Such mythical beasts as dragons, witches, mermen and dancing fish populate her diverse scenes. As a clever design element, Willey includes a boldly patterned bar-shaped graphic beneath the title of each tale, hinting at its cultural flavor. A collection to relish. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Another collection of stories from around the world by the successful team that gave readers The Golden Hoard (1996) and The Silver Treasure (1997, both McElderry). Here McCaughrean delivers 27 myths and legends that show the dark side of humanity bubbling to the top of the cauldron of life. Some tales are familiar, such as "Cupid and Psyche" and "The Golem"; others, such as "Sun's Son" from Tonga, introduce new territory. Though dark, the tales often shed light on emotions and actions of the characters, leaving readers satisfied and thoughtful. The writing is clear and engaging while the illustrations deftly pick out details of the stories and bring them to light, placing the tales visually within a cultural context. Useful notes provide information on the selections and complete the volume. Alone or accompanying the earlier titles, this book will delight folktale enthusiasts, enhance multicultural studies, and bring pleasure to those who just like a good story.
Angela J. Reynolds, West Slope Community Library, Portland, OR
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; First US edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689817584
• ISBN-13: 978-0689817588
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

It's 30 years now since I first got published, and 50 since I found out how writing let me step outside my little, everyday world and go wherever I chose - way back in Time, to far distant shores, towards my own, home-made happy ending. Not that all my books are an easy ride. I write adventure, first and foremost, because that's what I enjoyed reading as a child. But since I have published over 150 books now, there are all manner of books in among that number - gorgeously illustated picture books, easy readers, prize winners, teenage books and five adult novels.
The White Darkness won the Printz Award in the USA, which, for as Englishwoman, was the most amazing, startling thrill.
Then there was Peter Pan in Scarlet - official sequel to J M Barrie's Peter Pan, written on behalf of Great Ormond Street Hopsital for Sick Children. I won the chance to write that in a worldwide competition, and because Peter Pan is loved everywhere, my book sold worldwide too. I can't say I expected that when, as a child, I dreamed of being like my older brother and getting a book published one day.
These days I have a husband (who's good at continuity and spelling) and a daughter who is an excellent editor. But she's at the Royal Academy of Dramtic Art now, studying to become an actor. So, naturally, I have turned my hand to writing plays. (So many actors, so few plays!)
My Mum told me, "Never boil your cabbages twice, dear," which was her way of saying, "Don't repeat yourself." So I have tried never to write the same book twice. You'll find all my novels quite different from one another. I have also done lots of retellings of myth, legend, folk and fairy tales, and adapted indigestible classics such as El Cid, the Epic of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, Moby Dick, Shakespeare and the Pilgrim's Progress.
Something for everyone, you see, my dear young, not-so-young, eccentric, middle-of-the-road, poetical, sad, cheerful, timid or reckless reader.
All they have in common is that they all contain words. If you are allergic to words, you'd best not open the covers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing stories, April 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bronze Cauldron Myths And Legends Of The World (Hardcover)

The art of storytelling is alive and well within these pages. I bought the book to read aloud to my 4 and 7 year old children, but ended up reading stories to myself after tucking them in for the night. I just couldn't put the book down! My only criticism is the lack of pronunciation help in the book. There is neither a glossary or on-the-spot help for those of us unfamiliar with Persian, Indian, Chinese and other languages that can leave tired parents tongue-tied and uncertain.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bubbling over with great stories!, August 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bronze Cauldron Myths And Legends Of The World (Hardcover)

This highly enjoyable and lushly illustrated anthology is a treat. Sacred stories, porquoi tales, legends and traditional myths are served richly from the bronze cauldron. Old favorites such as Cupid and Psyche, Doctor Faust, Young Buddha and The Golem are made vibrant and accessible. New treasures include "Armchair Traveller," a sly tale from India, "Bobbi Bobbi!" an Aboriginal trickster tale from Australia, and "The Gingerbread Baby," a Palestinian myth that shatters expectations. End notes admit that the authour took great liberties with the retellings and are stingy with sources, but that is an academic quibble that takes away nothing from the enjoyment potential of this fine collection. Useful for multicultural assignments and read-aloud.

--S. Thorup

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Bronze Cauldron, September 16, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Bronze Cauldron Myths And Legends Of The World (Hardcover)

"Three paces from the door, three paces from the window, three paces from where Boy Gwion slept stood the witch's bronze cauldron on three bronze legs." This is the first line of the Welsh legend "The Bronze Cauldron" about a boy who accidentally acquires magical powers and is killed for getting them. This is an example of the kind of writing you see in this book, the kind of writing that makes you want to read more. This is a great collection of twenty-seven myths about gods, heroes, tricksters, magical animals, and foolish humans from as far as Asia Minor, Papua New Guinea, Maya, Gabon, and Scandinavia. Some stories are old and some are not that old at all. In fact, one story is as recent as the 1800's!
I am a mythology fan so this book was perfect for me. The myths pull you in all the way and do not let go. The diversity of the myths and the countries they come from make you want to keep on reading. I particularly liked the myth "Bobbi Bobbi!" set in Australia, which tells the story of the boomerang. McCaughrean shows her true knowledge of myths in this book.
If you are a mythology fan, this is the right book for you. There is a story for everyone. You can travel all over the world with this book.