Over fifty short myths about animals, birds, and natural subjects, suitable for the child's own reading in the second grade. These naive explanations of the phenomena of nature given by early peoples are told in a simple, yet interesting fashion and appeal to the child's sense of wonder about the same phenomena. Most of the myths are drawn from Native American sources, but a few Greek and Japanese myths are also included. Written as a sequel to The Hiawatha Primer with a gradual increase in both vocabulary and complexity of expression. Numerous black and white illustrations complement the...

The subject-matter is of permanent value, culled from the folk-lore of the primitive races; the vocabulary, based upon that of the Hiawatha Primer, is increased gradually, and the new words and phrases will add to the child's power of expression.

Excerpt: ...I have proved you and forgiven. I have pitied and forgotten. All life is a struggle, hardest in youth. You are young and I am old. Soon shall I rest in the grave. Therefore, O youth, take my kingdom and my queen. Be my son and let us forget our quarrel." "I came not as a thief," said Frithiof sadly, "but only to see Ingeborg for the last time. Too long have I stayed as your guest. The gods will not forgive me. Balder the Good loves all mankind but me. Northland has cast me out, and no more shall I seek for peace on the earth so green and sweet. To ocean's billows will I go, out...

" ...] Little Red Riding-Hood. Why, don't you know me? I'm little Red Riding-Hood. Wolf. I'm a stranger in this place, little girl; but I shall know you the next time I see you-ugh, ugh What have you in your pretty basket, little Red Riding-Hood? It smells like honey. Little Red Riding-Hood. It is honey, Mr. Wolf. I am taking it to my dear grandmother. Wolf. Are you all alone in the wood, my child? Isn't your mother with you? Aren't you afraid? ...]."

The Book of Nature Myths is a collection of short legends.

The subject-matter is of permanent value, culled from the folk-lore of the primitive races; the vocabulary, based upon that of the Hiawatha Primer, is increased gradually, and the new words and phrases will add to the child's power of expression. The naive explanations of the phenomena of nature given by the primitive races appeal to the child's wonder about the same phenomena, and he is pleased and interested. These myths will gratify the child's desire for complete stories, and their intrinsic merit makes them valuable for oral reproduction. Notice: This Book is published by Historical...