Cultures Connect Us!

What makes a legend a legend? A bit of truth and a bit of entertaining fiction! That's how legends have lasted through generations, and sometimes for thousands of years. Robin Hood, King Arthur, and young George Washington all make an appearance in this informative book, which offers details about legendary stories as well as information about why they're considered legends. Readers will also learn about urban legends and consider if they have legends-in-the-making in their families and communities.

Some myths are so enduring that they've lasted thousands of years. While people once used them to explain natural phenomena, they continue to entertain, inspire, and fascinate. This high-interest book offers readers information about intriguing mythical tales and characters from many different cultures, including lore from the ancient Greek, Roman, Japanese, and Indian peoples. Beautiful artwork accompanies the accessible text, which supports the elementary social studies curriculum.

The drive to pass down stories from generation to generation is a trait that cultures across the world have in common. Some of these fascinating stories are called folktales, and many are still beloved hundreds of years after they were first told. Readers will learn the characteristics that folktales across cultures share. They'll discover that fables, fairy tales, and tall tales all fall within this category, and they'll learn famous examples of each, such as the Tortoise and the Hare, Paul Bunyan, and Cinderella. The compelling narrative is accompanied by appealing artwork.

Thousands of years ago, before systems of writing existed, every civilization passed on knowledge through storytelling. This is called the oral tradition. Some tales were fiction, but some were true history. Today, historians recognize that history books often lack some crucial details about important events, details that can be properly captured through the accounts of people who were actually there. This book, which supports elementary social studies curricula, focuses on oral histories, including what they are, why they're essential to the historical record, and how readers can record them for themselves.

If there's something that binds most cultures together, it's a respect for holidays, both solemn and joyous. This high-interest book explains the characteristics and traditions of numerous holidays such as Hanukkah, Dia de los Muertos, and Juneteenth. Readers will come to understand similarities among peoples as well as the importance of learning about the various cultures within their own community. Striking photographs of cultural holidays are prominently featured as well as important vocabulary terms.

Traditions are powerful expressions of a culture. Celebrations, myths and legends, clothing, music, and foods are all traditions. Sometimes their purposes and meanings are clear, but often traditions are so ingrained in daily lives that people rarely think deeply about them. This thoughtful volume encourages readers to reflect on the traditions of their own culture as well as the cultures of others. They'll examine familiar and unfamiliar traditions through this book's accessible text and colorful, inviting photographs.