Monsters & Legends: Cyclops, Krakens, Mermaids and Other Imaginary Creatures That Really Existed!
What’s inside...
In 'Monsters & Legends,' author Davide Calì explores the fascinating world of mythical creatures and the real-life inspirations behind them. The book delves into the stories and legends of various monsters such as cyclopes, krakens, mermaids, and other fantastical beings. Calì examines historical accounts, folklore, and cultural tales that have contributed to the creation of these mythical entities. He also discusses how natural phenomena, undiscovered species, and the human imagination have played roles in shaping the legends that have been passed down through generations. The book is an intriguing blend of mythology, history, and science, revealing how some of these creatures may have had roots in real animals or events, thus blurring the lines between myth and reality.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What's your favorite mythical creature from the book and why?
How do you think people long ago came up with these creatures? What might have inspired them?
If you could create your own mythical creature, what would it be like and where would it live?
Do you think any of these creatures could have been real? Why or why not?
How do these creatures compare to the animals we know exist today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own favorite mythical creature and why it fascinates you, setting a personal example of enthusiasm and curiosity. Encourage your child to imagine beyond the book and draw or describe their own mythical creature, nurturing their creative thinking. Validate all responses to foster a safe, open space for discussion. Link the discussion to real-world animals and their habitats to bridge mythical and real-world knowledge. Utilize the book's illustrations to enhance visual understanding and engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Knowledge
Explanation: The book explores the origins of mythical creatures, demonstrating how people historically used myths to explain the unknown. This encourages a curiosity-driven approach to learning.
Real-World Application: Children can be motivated to ask questions and research answers in their own lives, fostering a love for learning and critical thinking.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: By describing fantastic creatures and their stories, the book encourages children to think creatively and imagine worlds beyond the obvious.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage in creative writing, storytelling, or drawing, enhancing their creative skills.
Example Lesson: Difference and Acceptance
Explanation: The book illustrates how myths often arose from encounters with unknown, perhaps frightening, phenomena, teaching that fear and misunderstanding can lead to fantastical stories.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace differences in others and approach the unknown with an open mind, rather than fear.
Example Lesson: Historical Understanding
Explanation: By demonstrating how different cultures created myths to explain natural phenomena, the book provides insight into historical perspectives and the cultural contexts that shaped these stories.
Real-World Application: This encourages respect and appreciation for different cultures and their histories, promoting a more inclusive worldview.
Example Lesson: Scientific Literacy
Explanation: The book teases apart myth from reality, showing how many mythical creatures have explanations rooted in real animals or phenomena, emphasizing the importance of scientific reasoning.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of science in explaining the natural world, encouraging them to seek empirical evidence in their understanding of the world.