Goddesses [Hardcover]

Burleigh Muten (Author), Rebecca Guay (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

For many thousands of years, stories of goddesses have inspired women and girls from all over the world. Now, the strength and power of these divine women has been collected into one breathtaking volume, featuring fascinating descriptions by goddess expert Burleigh Muten of over one hundred of the world's most celebrated goddesses. With stunning classical artwork by Rebecca Guay, the entries and images in Goddesses come together to form a powerful mirror that illuminates the most radiant and complex aspects of womankind, helping to redefine what it is to be feminine. A perfect gift for mothers, daughters, best friends, and for anyone looking for personal empowerment in book volume will open girls and women to their true potential and help release the goddess energy that is latent in every one of them.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–Little more than an expanded dictionary, this book is more suitable for browsing than research. More than 100 goddesses are featured in the alphabetically arranged entries; each deity is allotted a paragraph that briefly explains her attributes or outlines a legend associated with her. The attention to goddesses from a dazzling multiplicity of cultures is laudable, but the shallowness of the material presented is regrettable. The writing is clear but lifeless. Ranging in size from small vignettes to full-page paintings, the watercolor-and-gouache illustrations are colorful and serve to break up the blocks of text. A different vertical border decorates the pages for each letter of the alphabet. Perhaps this broad introduction will whet readers' appetites and encourage them to delve further into the topic, but it's additional at best.–Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A stunning book! Every woman and girl will be inspired. The power of the goddesses is truly magical." --Olympia Dukakis

"What a gorgeous book! Whether it's the full-page classical renditions of different goddesses or the floral borders on each page, the illustrations in this well-done encyclopedia deserve the highest praise." --Library Media Connection

"What a gorgeous book! Whether it's the full-page classical renditions of different goddesses or the floral borders on each page, the illustrations in this well-done encyclopedia deserve the highest praise." --Library Media Connection

"What a gorgeous book! Whether it's the full-page classical renditions of different goddesses or the floral borders on each page, the illustrations in this well-done encyclopedia deserve the highest praise." --Library Media Connection

"What a gorgeous book! Whether it's the full-page classical renditions of different goddesses or the floral borders on each page, the illustrations in this well-done encyclopedia deserve the highest praise." --Library Media Connection

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Barefoot Books (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841480754
• ISBN-13: 978-1841480756
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #632,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have!, December 7, 2003

By 

Education Oasis "Education Oasis" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goddesses (Hardcover)

Organized in alphabetical order, this well-researched, richly illustrated volume introduces readers to over one hundred goddesses from around the world and across time.

In addition to the better-known Greek and Roman goddesses, we learn also of the Indian goddess of knowledge, Sarasvati, a "gentle and graceful young woman who rides on the back of a peacock or swan" and invented poetry, literature, and music. Moving to the west we find Olwen, the goddess of sunlight, who "opened the blossoms of all flowering trees and plants" for the people of Wales.

Each entry provides a description of the goddess, her powers, and often a telling anecdote or story. Thoughtfully, the author has included a list of goddesses by country, culture, and domain.

The exquisitely detailed, jewel-tone illustrations combine with the flowing, elegant text to create a beautiful celebration, not only of goddesses, but of womankind as well. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis staff.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gorgeous Celebration of Goddesses of the World, March 8, 2004

By 

Stephanie Rose Bird "conjurer2" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Goddesses (Hardcover)

Even though my daughter is a bit old for a picture book, she was delighted by "Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic" by Burleigh Muten. The text is concise, the prununciation keys useful and the illustrations by Rebecca Guay are compelling, lush, sensual and joyful. This book introduces almost forgotten goddesses and features those more familiar as well, from all points of the globe. My only quibble with the book is that the European goddesses are overly represented. I'm sure that with a little more research a fair representation of the rich goddess traditions from around the world would have been easy to accomplish. I still give it 5 stars because it is a wonderful book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical!, May 19, 2004

By 

Wavedancer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goddesses (Hardcover)

This book, listing major goddesses all over the world, is one of my favorite non-fiction books. The information about each is the important things that you will want to know, covering details quickly and keeping things interesting. The pictures are beautiful, contributing greatly to the reading experience. Anyone who loves myths or magic will certainly love this book! A good coffee table book- you can glance through it; reading it slowly actually adds to the experience.