Goddesses and Heroines tells the tales of inspirational female characters from ancient myth and legend which all too often go untold. Performance storyteller Xanthe Gresham-Knight draws on original texts and lends renewed relevance to stories from cultures around the world.
We meet the youthful Aphrodite, the girl who created the world through imagination and sheer willpower; Hekate, the math whiz whose political drama on Mount Olympus saw her topple the powers that be; the heroic Mulan, whose bravery and athleticism helped her bypass gender barriers in ancient China; Osun, the Nigerian goddess whose foresight sparked a rebellion that freed slaves; and the not-so-fairy godmother Baba Yaga, whose bone-crunching approach to life will be an inspiration to any power-hungry tween.
Reviews
Lively, colorful, cartoon-style illustrations provide a strong and effective visual presentation …A carefully curated collection of stories that feature powerful, fantastical women.
— School Library Journal
A refreshing revival of timeless, magical women that will inspire readers to dream their own stories …The strength of this collection of tales lies in Pattullo’s colorful and quirky illustrations, which capture the cultural diversity with radiance and energy.
— Kirkus Reviews
Contributors
Xanthe Gresham-Knight
Author
Xanthe Gresham-Knight is a British author and storyteller creating bespoke performances for venues such as the British Museum and the Smithsonian. Xanthe was storyteller in residence for Harvard University and The Chelsea Physic Garden, and a senior lecturer at the University of East London for seventeen years.
Alice Pattullo
Illustrated By
Alice Pattullo is the illustrator of An Animal ABC, and the Pocket Guide series.
