Famous Legends

Washington Irving's scary Headless Horseman has become a notorious fictional character. This appealing book, highlighting a popular example of early American fiction, features fun facts about the legend and its author as well as carefully chosen photographs and illustrations. Readers will love getting to know Ichabod Crane, the superstitious schoolteacher; Brom Bones, his adversary; and the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel in this gripping retelling of the early nineteenth century story.

Rip Van Winkle, the incorrigible character from the early American short story, lived in the years before and after the American Revolution. However, he slept through the war, thanks to some mysterious bearded men in the Catskill Mountains! This compelling retelling of the famous legend, first published in 1819, will entertain readers as well as inform them about the life of storyteller Washington Irving. The engaging design and text are supported by colorful photographs and illustrations of Irving's famous creation.

Stories of the outlaw archer Robin Hood reach back to medieval times. However, movies, books, comic books, and television shows about him still populate our popular culture. Readers will not only become absorbed by the legend of the folk hero, complete with his Merry Men and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, they'll be intrigued by the debate about whether Robin Hood is based on a real person. Famous illustrations and fun facts abound in this high-interest volume.

Dracula, the blood-thirsty Transylvanian who terrorized England, was a character in an 1897 horror novel. However, the author, Bram Stoker, based his infamous creature on a real-life prince from the 1400s named Vlad III. Though Vlad wasn't a vampire, he was known for some very gory exploits. Legends of vampires stretch back even further than this. Thrilled readers will devour this legend, its possible sources, and details about its contribution to popular culture. Spooky photographs and illustrations set the mood and enhance the spine-tingling text.

Most of us know something about the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamlin, but few know that it may be based on a true story. This spellbinding account tells the story according to the Brothers Grimm as well as gives details of the historic records that support it. Throughout this high-interest volume, readers will remain engaged with surprising facts such as the possible connections to the plague and the Crusades. Colorful illustrations and photographs of the actual German town will leave readers pondering what's true and what's fiction.

Stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are rife with adventure and romance. People never tire of the many legendary exploits of the ancient king of Britain. However, readers might be surprised that many historians believe Arthur was a real person. This accessible volume includes some of the most famous tales of the legend as well as their foundations in both history and myth. Beautiful artwork and intriguing fact boxes make this a unique and valuable addition to any fiction or nonfiction collection.

Mermaid sightings pop up again and again in seafarers' accounts. Could there be some truth to the legends? This captivating book takes readers on a high seas' search for mermaids. They'll read some fascinating tales of mermaids, both beautiful and hideous. They'll learn the true story of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid," too. This high-interest volume is packed with legends and lore as well as awesome artwork.

Though Johnny Appleseed is a folk hero, he was also a real person-John Chapman. Chapman's life became legendary as he planted apple trees across the Midwest of the United States in the 1800s. In this entertaining volume, readers will learn about an extraordinary man and his love of nature as well as the parts of the legend that probably aren't true. Historic images and fun fact boxes add to the appealing content.

Sorting the facts from the fiction in pirate legends can be tricky. Perhaps that's why pirates have never lost their appeal for readers; they're larger than life. This swashbuckling book presents some of the most exhilarating pirate lore, including historical legends, such as William Kidd and Grace O'Malley. Fact boxes provide extra information about tales, while specially chosen images will truly captivate young buccaneers' imaginations.

Thanks to popular icons such as Tinkerbell, everyone knows what a fairy looks like-or do they? Many people might be surprised to discover that there are different kinds of fairies. In fact, leprechauns are a type of fairy! There are more surprises and plenty of magical myths and lore in this enchanting, high-interest volume, full of beautiful images of bewitching creatures.

Legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan is often depicted as larger than life. Many places around the United States claim Bunyan really lived there. Scholars are still trying to discover whether Bunyan was an actual person or not. According to many stories, he was basically one of the first superheroes of fiction! Readers will love the folk tales describing the exploits of Bunyan and his pet, Babe the Blue Ox. Amusing images accompany the lively text, while fact boxes shed some light on each story's origins.

No matter how many times sightings of Bigfoot have been discredited, this legend won't be debunked. Diehard believers in the apelike beast take this as support that something is out there that doesn't want to be found! Readers are invited along on the journey to track down Bigfoot. They'll learn about some of the most famous encounters, photographic and video evidence, and recent theories. Armed with facts and lore, they can decide for themselves if they believe in Bigfoot.