Are mermaids compassionate beings waiting to save drowning sailors or vindictive creatures hoping to lure people to their deaths? The answer depends on the lore, which is vast and varied. Through the centuries, people around the world have reported seeing real mermaids on rocks or bobbing in the sea. Even in the 21st century, people are drawn to the mystery of the mermaid. Readers, too, will find the many mermaid stories and hoaxes in this engaging book entertaining as well as educational. Folklore is a unique and entertaining window into studies of world culture.

The allure and mystery of mermaids has taken hold of our psyche for ages. From the Irish merrows who come on land to search for human husbands to the fake Fiji Mermaid made popular by P.T Barnum, these sea maidens (and sometimes men) can be found in folklore and mythology from every tradition in the world. Inside this captivating collection, complete with beautiful illustrations throughout, you'll discover the myths surrounding these enigmatic beings, explore the common symbols associated with them, and learn tales of merfolk from around the world. Dive into Mermaids and get swept away!

From Homer's Odyssey to Pirates of the Caribbean, Mermaids have fascinated popular culture for centuries. Among the Mermaids is an enchanting collection of classic stories, facts, and tales of mermaids from around the world that will thrill every lover of this romanticized mythological creature. Compiled by Book of the Bizarre author and Magical Creature devotee Varla Ventura, Among the Mermaids includes turn of the century tales of merfolk from Bret Harte, T. Crofton Croker, and W.B. Yeats, along with tantalizing trivia, facts, first-hand accounts, and speculations about mermaids in popular culture. Some facts about the fluid and the fair from the book: Many people believe today that early explorer sightings of mermaids were manatees. (Scurvy + many days away from your lady = a blubbery creature looking supple and bodacious.)Blackbeard, the fierce and terrible pirate, was afraid of his crew being lured into a watery grave by mermaids, so he ordered his ships to avoid certain areas reputed to have a high number of mermaid sightings.Since 2009, the town of Kiryat Yam, Israel has offered a prize of $1 million dollars to anyone who can prove the mermaid off their coast is real. The prize remains unclaimed.

Three original mermaid tales for children who are just beginning to learn how to read. Meet a scheming mermaid lurking to sabotage the Great Seahorse Race, a mermaid on a journey to the spooky Pirates' Graveyard and a mermaid who just loves to dance! "Irresistible for children learning to read." - Child Education Plus

Enchanting tales of sea nymphs from twelve cultures, including Chinese, Iranian, African, and Native American, are eloquently retold by the author in this acclaimed collection. Four-color with gold leaf illustrations.

There is always more to the story.... Find out what happens before and after in the YA fantasy worlds of Oh. My. Gods., Forgive My Fins, and Sweet Venom. The World of Myths » Find out whether Stella has a heart, how Phoebe spends her Valentine, what's at the center of Nicole's labyrinth, how Griffin is surprised, and who Xella is and why they're going on a first date. The World of Mermaids » Find out what (or who) Coral dreams about, who gives Lily princess lessons, what Shannen's first swim feels like, what Astria thinks is a shore thing, and how to go about making a merman. The World of Monsters » Find out where a Nemean Lion hangs out, why you should always bet on Medusa, what freedom tastes like, how to get a golden apple, and who has to play the role of monster bait. Return to the worlds of Tera Lynn Childs in these magical tales that will delight fans of Greek mythology, mermaid romance, and monster-hunting descendants of Medusa.

For centuries people have used mythology to describe and explain many great events of human experience. The 40 spellbinding stained glass panels in this collection illustrate the legends of love, adventure, exploration, and conquest. They examine the folklore of the Mermaid, of chivalrous Knights, dancing Maidens, Kings on horseback, consorts, musicians, lovers and so much more. Descriptive text accompanies each design providing a fascinating insight into the artist's challenge and offers solutions with hints and tips for glass selection and project strategy. Every project includes the pattern line drawing. 24 projects are shown fabricated with a colour photograph while the remaining 16 are rendered as a textured line drawing with colour suggestions. Plus two designs are provided as full-size patterns printed on a bonus pullout page in the back of the book. The author presents an overview of how she turns an oil painting into a stained glass design, plus detailed instructions on how to enlarge a pattern drawing.