Chinese Mythology: Legendary Tales of Heaven, Earth, Humanity, and Beyond

Hwang (A Kid’s Guide to the Chinese Zodiac) chronicles the rich world of Chinese mythology in this expansive collection, illustrated by Li (The Subtle Body Oracle Deck and Guidebook). Included legends run the gamut of existential tales relating to the creation of all things—as when Pangu, “crafted inside Hundun’s churning belly, like flour kneaded into dough,” “split Hundun into what we call Yin and Yang” and eventually became the world—to stories of revelry, as in “Sun Wukong, the Monkey King,” a selection that details the many mischiefs that earned him icon status. Tales date back to a time when people believed that humans and the supernatural coexisted and seek to answer questions that have been asked for thousands of years: Why does water flow downward? Why is the Earth tilted? Why must Heaven and Earth stay separate? Dazzling spreads of brightly colored and fantastical illustrations have a contemporary feel and are accented by royal purples and eye-catching gold. Together, the collaborators deliver a digestible, carefully curated accounting of legendary battles and epic romances while also offering insight into why many still worship these gods today. Ages 7–10. (Dec.)