From master storyteller Padriac Colum, winner of a Newbery Honor for The Golden Fleece, comes a collection of fifteen timeless stories inspired by classic Greek literature.

Travel back to a mythical time when Achilles, aided by the gods, waged war against the Trojans. And join Odysseus on his journey through murky waters, facing obstacles like the terrifying Scylla and whirring Charybdis, the beautiful enchantress Circe, and the land of the raging Cycl pes. Using narrative threads from The Iliad and The Odyssey, Padraic Colum weaves a stunning adventure with all the drama and power that Homer intended.

From master storyteller Padriac Colum comes a Newbery Honor-winning collection of epic myths that is unequaled as an introduction to the classic myths for young readers (Publishers Weekly).

Enter a world where harpies torment mortals, the Argonaut Orpheus sings, the mighty god Zeus wages war on the Titans, and Prometheus steals fire. Author Padraic Colum weaves the tales of Jason and his Argonauts with classic Greek mythology to create this captivating epic about life, war, and astounding beings who lived in a time long past. Poetically written and wonderful for reading aloud, this collection of ancient stories will captivate modern readers.

Born and raised in a Longford, Ireland workhouse, Padraic Colum left at seventeen to become a clerk in the Irish Railway Clearing House in Dublin. This venture was short-lived, however, and with the success of a few poems and a play, The Saxon Shillin', he left in 1904 to pursue a career in writing. His success as a dramatist, poet, novelist, essayist, biographer, children's writer and editor, as well as his participation in the founding of the Abbey Theatre, made Colum a central figure in the Irish literary renaissance. Colum wrote The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy in 1918 as a retelling of Homer's epic poems, Iliad and Odyssey, intended for younger readers. It recounts the perilous adventures of Odysseus on his journey back from the war in Troy, including his encounter with the horrible Cyclops, the duplicitous Sirens, and the evil Circe. One of Colum's many successful children's novels, these stories will be enjoyed as much today as they were nearly a century ago.

Born and raised in a Longford, Ireland workhouse, Padraic Colum left home at seventeen to become a clerk in the Irish Railway Clearing House in Dublin. This venture was short-lived, however, and with the success of a few poems and a play, The Saxon Shillin', in 1904 he went on to pursue a career in writing. His success as a dramatist, poet, novelist, essayist, biographer, children's writer, and editor, as well as his participation in the founding of the Abbey Theatre, made Colum a central figure in the Irish literary renaissance. Colum wrote The Children's Homer or The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy in 1918 as a retelling of Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, intended for younger readers. It recounts the perilous adventures of Odysseus on his journey back from the war in Troy, including his encounter with the horrible Cyclops, the duplicitous Sirens, and the evil Circe. One of Colum's many successful children's novels, these stories will be enjoyed as much today as they were when they first appeared. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and is wonderfully illustrated by Willy Pogany.

The Norse myths that inspired generations of superhero fans and mythology-lovers.

Before he was the infamous movie villain....

Loki was the beloved God of Norse lore.

From Padriac Colum, three-time Newbery honor winner, comes this delightful collection of some of the greatest myths ever told, highlighting Loki's grand adventures.

Loki's antics are plentiful:

Convincing Thor to wear a wedding gown. Chopping off Sif's golden locks. Masquerading as a maiden among the Giants. Tricking dwarves into molding the ever-popular hammer.

And he does it all to save Asgard, time and again.

But Loki tires of the Gods' idiocy. And he's done being their lackey.

Could his anger lead to the destruction of Asgard and all the Gods?

Or will the Gods win?

Including a foreword from legendary Marvel writer Peter David, this is the origin story that all true Loki fans must know!

Master storyteller Padraic Colum's rich, musical voice captures all the magic and majesty of the Norse sagas in his retellings of the adventures of the gods and goddesses who lived in the Northern paradise of Asgard before the dawn of history. Here are the matchless tales of All-Father Odin, who crosses the Rainbow Bridge to walk among men in Midgard and sacrifices his right eye to drink from the Well of Wisdom; of Thor, whose mighty hammer defends Asgard; of Loki, whose mischievous cunning leads him to treachery against the gods; of giants, dragons, dwarfs and Valkyries; and of the terrible last battle that destroyed their world.

The age-old legends and tales of Nordic mythology are a common heritage of German, Scandinavian, and Anglo-Saxon peoples. This very readable collection features a rich selection of these time-honored stories, retold in simple dramatic fashion by noted Irish author Padraic Colum.

From master storyteller Padriac Colum, winner of a Newbery Honor for The Golden Fleece, comes a collection of fifteen timeless stories inspired by classic Greek literature.

Travel back to a mythical time when Achilles, aided by the gods, waged war against the Trojans. And join Odysseus on his journey through murky waters, facing obstacles like the terrifying Scylla and whirring Charybdis, the beautiful enchantress Circe, and the land of the raging Cyclôpes. Using narrative threads from The Iliad and The Odyssey, Padraic Colum weaves a stunning adventure with all the drama and power that Homer intended.

The King of Ireland's Son sets out to find the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands and meets the Enchanter's daughter, Fedelma. His adventures lead him to the Land of the Mist, the Town of the Red Castle, and the worlds of Gilly of the Goatskin, the Hags of the Long Teeth, Princess Flame-of-Wine, and the Giant Crom Duv.

This is a true Irish wonder tale: a coming of age story of the youngest son of the King of Ireland who sets off on an impossible quest. The stories weave together, stories within stories, in a fantastic tapestry of humor, poetry, action and adventure. Perfect for reading aloud at bedtime, generations of children have loved Padraic Colum's unmatched storytelling.

From master storyteller Padriac Colum, winner of a Newbery Honor for The Golden Fleece, comes a collection of fifteen timeless tales inspired by Norse mythology.

Before time as we know it began, gods and goddesses lived in the city of Asgard. Odin All Father crossed the Rainbow Bridge to walk among men in Midgard. Thor defended Asgard with his mighty hammer. Mischievous Loki was constantly getting into trouble with the other gods, and dragons and giants walked free. This collection of Norse sagas retold by author Padraic Colum gives us a sense of that magical time when the world was filled with powers and wonders we can hardly imagine.

The Norse myths that inspired generations of superhero fans and mythology-lovers.

Before he was the infamous movie villain....

Loki was the beloved God of Norse lore.

From Padriac Colum, three-time Newbery honor winner, comes this delightful collection of some of the greatest myths ever told, highlighting Loki's grand adventures.

Loki's antics are plentiful:

Convincing Thor to wear a wedding gown. Chopping off Sif's golden locks. Masquerading as a maiden among the Giants. Tricking dwarves into molding the ever-popular hammer.

And he does it all to save Asgard, time and again.

But Loki tires of the Gods' idiocy. And he's done being their lackey.

Could his anger lead to the destruction of Asgard and all the Gods?

Or will the Gods win?

Including a foreword from legendary Marvel writer Peter David, this is the origin story that all true Loki fans must know!

This classic seafaring adventure is calling your name!

Have you ever wondered why the city of Atlantis was lost beneath the salty waves? Or what drove Leif Erikson to explore the bitterly cold northern lands? What about the explorer Saint Brendan from Irish folklore who risked everything to discover the Radiant Land-and was shocked to find so much more?

If old-storytelling collections intrigue you, Padraic Colum's tales of mythical and historical seafaring voyages will weave its spell over you. With additional notes mentioning Native American and Indigenous perspectives Colum would not have had access to for his writings about Columbus and Jamestown, we hope readers will appreciate having this Newbery Honor classic back in print.

This classic seafaring adventure is calling your name!

Have you ever wondered why the city of Atlantis was lost beneath the salty waves? Or what drove Leif Erikson to explore the bitterly cold northern lands? What about the explorer Saint Brendan from Irish folklore who risked everything to discover the Radiant Land-and was shocked to find so much more?

If old-storytelling collections intrigue you, Padraic Colum's tales of mythical and historical seafaring voyages will weave its spell over you. With additional notes mentioning Native American and Indigenous perspectives Colum would not have had access to for his writings about Columbus and Jamestown, we hope readers will appreciate having this Newbery Honor classic back in print.

From master storyteller Padriac Colum, winner of a Newbery Honor for The Golden Fleece, comes a collection of fifteen timeless stories inspired by classic Greek literature.

Travel back to a mythical time when Achilles, aided by the gods, waged war against the Trojans. And join Odysseus on his journey through murky waters, facing obstacles like the terrifying Scylla and whirring Charybdis, the beautiful enchantress Circe, and the land of the raging Cyclôpes. Using narrative threads from The Iliad and The Odyssey, Padraic Colum weaves a stunning adventure with all the drama and power that Homer intended.

Five books. Five worlds. One masterful storyteller.

From Newbery Honoree Padraic Colum comes five captivating retellings of classic mythologies--now available together in a collectible boxed set Readers of Percy Jackson will love the tales from around the world where genies grant wishes, heroes undertake epic quests, and gods and goddesses wage wars alongside mortals.

The Children's Homer goes back to ancient Greece, where Achilles fights the Trojan prince Paris, and where Odysseus must survive sea monsters, a beautiful enchantress, and a raging cyclops to return home.

In The Golden Fleece, Jason and the Argonauts undertake a quest to reclaim the throne in a world where Prometheus steals fire from the gods and Zeus wages war against the Titans.

The Children of Odin explores Norse mythology, where dragons and giants roam the realms, Thor defends Asgard with his hammer, and trickster and shapeshifter Loki makes mischief.

In The Arabian Nights, King Shahryar threatens to execute his wife Shahrazad in the morning when she has finished telling him a story. But the clever storyteller saves her life again and again by never finishing her tale before the end of the night, captivating the king with the adventures of Sinbad, Ali Baba, and Aladdin.

In the Celtic tales of The Island of the Mighty, knights and heroes face menacing sorcerers in the land of King Arthur's court.

Connal was the name of the King who ruled over Ireland at that time. He had three sons, and, as the fir-trees grow, some crooked and some straight, one of them grew up so wild that in the end the King and the King's Councillor had to let him have his own way in everything. This youth was the King's eldest son and his mother had died before she could be a guide to him.

The Children of Odin is a classic collection of Norse Mythology, containing tales of the God Odin - a truly powerful deity associated with healing, death, royalty, the gallows, knowledge, battle, sorcery, poetry, and frenzy. Odin is attested as having many sons, most famously the god Baldr - and his children are known by hundreds of names. This text comes in three main parts: 'The Dwellers in Asgard', 'Odin the Wanderer', and 'The Witch's Heart.' The tales are penned by Padraic Colum, and are decorated with the whimsical black and white drawings of Willy Pogany. Colum (1881 - 1972) was an Irish poet, novelist, dramatist, biographer and playwright - and a passionate collector of folklore. His works, The Adventure of Odysseus (1918) and The Children of Odin (1920) are important in bringing classical literature to younger audiences. Willy Pogany (1882 - 1955) was a prolific Hungarian illustrator of myths and fables, and his stunning, painstakingly intricate drawings are presented alongside the text - so that the two may be better appreciated.

The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles by Padraic Colum is a collection of ancient Greek myths and legends that follow the journey of Jason and the Argonauts as they set out to retrieve the golden fleece. The book opens with the main characters and setting up the quest for the golden fleece. Later the book follows the journey of the Argonauts as they encounter various challenges, including battles with mythical creatures and encounters with powerful gods. The book focuses on the heroes who lived before Achilles, including the story of Perseus and the Gorgon Medusa, Theseus, and the Minotaur, and the labors of Heracles. The stories are told in a lively and engaging style, with vivid descriptions of the heroes and their adventures. Throughout the book, Colum explores the themes of heroism, courage, and fate, as the characters navigate the dangerous and unpredictable world of ancient Greece. He also includes insights into Greek culture and mythology, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the history and traditions of this ancient civilization. Overall, The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles is a classic work of literature that offers a captivating glimpse into the world of ancient Greece and its legendary heroes.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

A treasure trove of stories from the ancient world, retold by one of Ireland's greatest storytellers.

A treasure trove of stories from the ancient world, retold by one of Ireland's greatest storytellers.

This classic collection of myths and legends includes stories from all the major ancient civilizations, and some lesser known ones: Egypt and Greece, and Babylon and Rome, alongside Ireland and Iceland, India and Finland, China and Japan, Mexico, Peru and Polynesia. The tales range from creation stories to heroic epics, and feature Isis, Gilgamesh, Hercules and Pandora, to name but a few.

This edition faithfully preserves Padraic Colum's original language. His lyrical rhythm and melody represent the very best of traditional storytelling.

Includes Padraic Colum's essay, 'The Significance of Mythology'.