Druids, Gods & Heroes from Celtic Mythology

This volume is a fine introduction to Celtic mythology, featuring fourteen chapters of stories. Most pages are illustrated with black and white illustrations by John Sibbit, paired with occasional two-page full color spreads by Roger Garland. The double-column small type lends a textbook feel, as the book races through legend after legend, each tale punctuated by headers. The vibrant color pictures depict scenes of beauty and terror such as the great battle of the giants of Morvah, Cath Palug the monster cat, Fionn's salmon of knowledge and the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian tales. The short pronunciation guide in the back of the book is a boon for readers unfamiliar with the unconventional appearance of Irish and Welsh spelling. This book would be appropriate for middle-schoolers and up.

It's good news to see this book back in print. Originally aimed at children, this book was written by an able, insightful archaeologist and folklorist. The content reflects the author's professional expertise, her gifts as a teacher, and the insights she has gained from living among Scottish bearers of tradition. If you are looking for a wonderful and accurate book to share with children, this beautifully illustrated volume is ideal. However, I also recommend it to those who are new to the subject because it combines tales and archaeological evidence in a delightfully informative way.

I loved the artwork and the stories about the celtic myths. I was a little disappointed that there was so little information about the gods like Cernunnos, Epona, and others. But the book gave a very good explanation to why and I admire Anne Ross' as an author.