Myth Fiction

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable and quiet life. His contentment is disturbed one day when the wizard, Gandalf, and the dwarves arrive to take him away on an adventure. Smaug certainly looked fast asleep, when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance. He was just about to step...

Winner of the Newbery Medal, Cynthia Rylant has also received the Caldecott Award and numerous other honors. In The Beautiful Stories of Life, Rylant vividly retells the Greek myths of Pandora, Pygmalion, Narcissus, Perse­phone, Orpheus, and Psyche. Exploring classic themes of love, destruction, vanity, and redemption, these tales will introduce young listeners to the exciting world of Greek mythology.

Monsters—shadows, gills, wings, and more. The things I fear crave me… and they’ve been here the whole time. Hiding, waiting, and wanting. Lurking, sneaking, and watching. Traveling the country camping was supposed to be an escape from the strange and unusual that clings to my family. My family’s calling to fame terrifies me. The ghosts, the hauntings, the supernatural—I want nothing to do with it.

Siblings Abby and Jonah are in for a surprise when the magic mirror in their basement pulls them into the classic story of "The Frog Prince". Abby knows how the tale goes: The princess kisses the frog, and he transforms into a handsome prince. Right? Wrong. Turns out the princess is spoiled and mean and wants nothing to do with the kindly little frog. It's up to Abby and Jonah to help their new friend, the frog, while also making sure the story doesn't spin out of control.

The struggle of good versus evil continues as Bobby Pendragon follows Saint Dane to the territory of Zadaa. Saint Dane's influence has fueled the fire of discontent between two warring tribes: the Rokador and the Batu. This is also the territory where the Traveler Loor lives as a member of the Batu. Together she and Bobby must work to thwart Saint Dane's efforts to destroy Zadaa.

Elaine is still far from home, far from Remus. Her friends and family don't even know if she's alive. However, not all is lost. Elaine has fallen in with some elves, who are willing to let her tag along while they head in the general direction of her home. They're off hunting shimagu, deadly bodyjackers that steal away all autonomy. Elaine finds a small measure of comfort in Serondes's arms, experimenting with her first relationship. Experimenting with granting others Immortality. Is the relationship going anywhere? What's in the egg that she's keeping safe? Can the elves be trusted?

Branded a traitor, betrayed by a friend, hunted by the vampire clan—Darren Shan, the vampire's assistant, faces certain death. And even if he survives Vampire Mountain, an all-out catastrophe is headed his way that threatens the entire vampire clan. Can Darren reverse the odds and outwit a vampire prince? Can he avert the coming calamity? Darren's initiation on Vampire Mountain draws to a stunning, bloody conclusion in this sixth book of the Cirque du Freak series.

Arion is a famous musician in ancient Greek mythology. He loves to travel across Rome and Greece to play his music. While trying to sail home, he is robbed by a group of pirates! Fearing death, he escapes by jumping into the ocean.

In this Korean folktale, a greedy merchant sells the shade from his tree to a passing traveler. What he doesn’t realize, however, is just how clever this traveler is! What happens when the merchant’s ploy backfires and the traveler decides to stay in the shade?

King Vikram loves his subjects and will do anything to make them happy—even if it means trying to convince a mute queen to speak and marry one of his men! Despite the danger of the challenge, he gladly takes it on behalf of his subject. Will he be able to win her over? Or will he be doomed to join the caged men who tried—and failed—to make the queen speak?

In this Yiddish folk tale, the town half-wit isn’t sure how to tell himself apart from other bathers in the shvitz, or public bathhouse. He must come up with a solution! Will a piece of string be able to help? Or will he just cause trouble for the other bathers?

Peder works hard every day, taking care of his family’s farm with no help from his lazy brothers. He doesn’t mind, though—he gets to play his flute while he works. After his playing attracts the attention of a wealthy troll king, his brothers become jealous of the rewards the king offers to him. They hatch a plan to collect Peder’s reward for themselves. Will the king see through their ploy?

What do soldiers, spirits, singing, and winged horses have in common? They all played a role in how the Mongolian horsehead fiddle, or morin khuur, came to be! Follow along with a Mongolian soldier named Khökhöö Namjil as he finds a way to balance his duties with his desire to see his wife.

A family of pixies is looking for a place for their children to sleep, but nowhere on the farm is good enough. Will they find somewhere in time to return the farmers horse and cart for planting season? Listen along with this Cornish folktale and see just where a pixie littling can get some sleep.

The First People had only four lights to illuminate the world. The First People asked First Man and First Woman to give them more daylight. In this traditional Navajo story, learn how First Man and First Woman created the sun, moon, and stars to give light to the First People.

In this story from the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, you’ll learn how the trickster raven brings light back to the world from a greedy chief.

Princess Fina has grown old enough to be married. But before any man could court her, he must pass a series of tests.

When Apollo, the god of music and poetry, seeks the love of Daphne, a nymph, she is repulsed by him and tries to run away.

Precious is not looking forward to being a donkey in the school play. Precious thinks donkeys look silly and smell bad, that is, until Grandfather comes to visit on his donkey cart. Grandfather teaches Precious that donkeys are much than they seem—they are hardworking, loyal, and kind.

What happens when a tortoise challenges a hare to a race? Listen to this popular West African tale to find out. There's more than one way to teach a boastful hare a lesson!