In the beginning, nothing moves in the inky silence... until the golden godchild Atum gradually unfolds from a lotus bud. From him come the gods of the air and rain and their children ? Geb, god of Earth, and Nut, goddess of the sky. Geb and Nut are inseparable. They clasp one another and share whispered secrets, leaving no space between the sky and the earth for Atum to continue creating. So Atum has no choice but to have them forcibly separated, leaving Geb enraged and Nut sad and lonely... The beautiful story that follows explains, according to Ancient Egyptian beliefs, how day, night and the starry universe were first created.

After a Laplander wood carver gives the Christ child a special present, he is inspired to bring gifts to other children, and becomes known as Father Christmas.

New into paperback! HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW THE STARS CAME TO BE? The Fisherman's Daughter loved to dance in the sunlight, and bathe in the glow of the moon, but when the moon disappeared for a few nights each month, she worried about her father and how he would find his way home from the sea in the darkness of the night. One night the sun finds her sobbing and so he takes one of his rays and smashes it onto the ground, creating the stars and gives the girl the task of putting them into the dark night sky. This beautifully illustrated story gives us a new folk tale, and a new way to look up at the night sky.

Topher Hope follows his cat, Ka, to ancient Egypt.

In 'Our Holidays. Their Meaning and Spirit; retold from St. Nicholas' Various authors delve into the significance and traditions behind popular holidays. The book explores the cultural and historical background of each holiday, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the rituals and customs associated with these special days. Written in a clear and engaging style, the book offers a comprehensive overview of different holidays, from Christmas to Thanksgiving, highlighting their unique meanings and spiritual essence. Each chapter is rich in detail, making it a valuable resource for those interested in holiday traditions. Various authors blend storytelling with informative content, creating a captivating read that bridges the gap between cultural studies and folklore. This book is a must-read for anyone curious about the origins and practices surrounding holidays. It offers a fresh perspective on familiar celebrations and invites readers to reflect on the deeper meanings behind these traditions.

The writer of this notice has for several years had in mind the preparation of a book connecting the study of the constellations with classical legends and folklore referring to them, but Dr. Porter's elegant little volume makes it unnecessary to proceed further with the matter. The remarkable discoveries of modern astronomy have caused people to leave the study of the sky to observatories, whereas the most interesting observations can be made with the naked eye. Before learning about spectrum analysis applied to celestial bodies, or the surface markings on planets as revealed by the telescope, students of astronomy should become familiar with the skies, note the stars in the seasons, the relative positions of the sun and moon during a lunation, the apparent motions of planets and similar phenomena. These appearances were followed with intelligence thousands of years ago, yet most people to-day are unacquainted with them. In early days the heavens were closer to the earth than they are now; so we find that classical myth often has an astronomical significance, the constellations and their apparent motions representing the apotheosis of the actors in a terrestrial drama, though whether the legend suggested the designation of star-groups or the stars gave birth to the legend cannot easily be decided. Dr. Porter brings together much simple legendary lore of the heavens, and the teacher of classics will find his volume just as inspiring as the observer of the skies. The illustrations show the constellations with the figures found on old star-maps and celestial globes. It is a little surprising that, as the book is of American origin, Dr. Porter only mentions a few of the astronomical beliefs and ceremonies of American Indians. For instance, we find no reference to the tradition of the Micmac Indians, that the stars are watch-fires, the bright ones being those of chiefs, or of Dr. Fewkes' detailed studies of the Hopi Indians at Walpi, where observations of the positions of the sun at sunrise and sunset are used to regulate the commencement of a ritual connected with sun-worship. It is also worth consideration whether a short chapter on the planets known to the ancients might not be added with advantage, as most people are unable to distinguish them from stars. -The School World, Vol. 4

Auriane, daughter of a Rhine River area chieftain in 50 A.D., must face her difficult destiny and lead her people against the invading legions of the Roman Empire.