Myths, Monsters, and Magic have always held a captivating allure for human beings. These elements have been an intrinsic part of cultural storytelling throughout history, creating a rich tapestry of legends and folklore. Myths are ancient narratives that explain the origins of the world, natural phenomena, and mankind's place in the universe. They often feature gods, goddesses, and heroes with extraordinary powers and abilities. These stories were passed down orally from one generation to another, shaping cultural beliefs, values, and traditions. Monsters, on the other hand, are fantastical creatures that personify elements of fear, danger, and the unknown.
Today, trolls have pushed well beyond Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore, and have become recurring characters in fantasy films, literature, role-playing games and yes, on toy store shelves. But as varied as their origin and evolution may be, the mythos we have created around trolls often touches on the same theme – a fear of those unlike ourselves.
As some of the fairy legends of western Europe go, if you come across a fairy ring distinguished by a circle of mushrooms in a field or forest do not dare step inside. Magic, Monsters and Make-Believe Heroes is a joy to read because it gloriously and lovingly destabilises texts by reminding us that the reader viewer gamer is not a blank slate.
Monsters, on the other hand, are fantastical creatures that personify elements of fear, danger, and the unknown. They inhabit myths and legends, serving as both adversaries and symbolic representations of the human psyche. From the bloodthirsty minotaur of Greek mythology to the fire-breathing dragon of medieval lore, monsters capture our imagination and tap into our primal fears.
Monsters and magic can help kids through tough times. Here’s how.
In fiction, dystopias come and go, but magic and monsters are forever.
During times of real-world upheaval, tales of fantasy can provide a useful escape into wonder. But can these stories also provide real, useful coping mechanisms to kids muddling through difficult times?
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We say, emphatically, yes.
Last March, one of us (Fran) spent a day at Ridge Elementary in Richmond, Va., teaching a writing workshop to 80 fifth graders, soon after some pretty scary world events.
The school’s theme that year was Superheroes and Ridge Elementary’s hallways and library were filled with bright Bam! and Pow! posters. Even a library mascot, a horse, wore a red super-cape. Fran walked into the library and the students were waiting, wondering what the heck a fantasy author had to do with superheroes, the challenges they were facing at home, at school, and what was happening in the world. (Fran notes: I have to admit I was wondering about that, too …)
‘Superheroes! Pretty great right?’ she said. She got nods all around, some smiles. A few kids played with their pencils and elbowed each other. Then she asked, ‘You guys want to make some monsters?’ You could hear a pencil drop. From the back, she heard a whispered, ‘YESSSSS.’ And for the next hour, they walked through how Fran built monsters in her books by taking a familiar thing, mixing it with something scary, figuring out its weaknesses and fears, then setting it loose.
At the end, students shared their monsters: from flying washing machines, impervious to everything except blackouts; to lots of giant spiders, variously armored; a clown with flames for hair; and a basketball with teeth. The students talked about why their monsters were the scariest, and then they all set out to see if they might overcome the monsters together. That’s when the room got really interactive, with kids helping each other solve problems related to defending against the monsters they’d built out of things that scared them.
AdvertisementMonster building is a great way to talk with young students and our own children about the creative process. It’s also a problem-solving exercise that helps with real-world fears: If you can imagine how to make a monster, you can figure out how to disassemble one, too.
The world is confusing, especially right now. Even though both of us have nominally been adults for some time now we still look at the world outside our own walls and feel confusion, if not actual fear, at what we see. It’s impossible for our kids not to be affected by tensions in the world around them: media is everywhere and by the time kids are in middle school, they are, if anything, more connected to it than adults. They’re living with the same confusion and fears these days that we are, and they have fewer tools for understanding and coping with it.
Reading about and making up monsters can help kids build real-world problem-solving skills to address those fears. So can magic, in very similar ways, by teaching about complex systems and how to use them.
Writers often start the work of creating a magical world by putting together a logical system with consistent rules to govern it. For a reader, part of the work of enjoying these books is learning the rules of the system, often alongside the characters as they figure out how to make that system work for them. Just like with the monster workshop, this kind of engagement involves problem-solving and creative thinking. It involves figuring out how to function in a place that is much bigger than one small person, and how to survive there until you can figure out how to thrive there, or to change it for the better.
AdvertisementAnd here’s the important part: the magic, and the monsters, too, are never fully the point of the stories. Often it isn’t magic that ultimately wins the day, and the monsters are rarely the end of the world. Instead, it’s the characters who solve problems using real life skills that win and save the day. Magic is secondary, for instance, at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. In reality, it is athleticism that aids Harry in catching the key, strategic thinking that leads Ron to a win at wizard chess, and logic that helps Hermione work out which potions will move Harry forward to the showdown and her backward to safety. Athleticism, strategy, logic: things that are within reach to many kids in one form or another, and that can be applied in their real-world lives.
Magic enchants readers while underscoring the fact that heroes can win by using tools that we, too, possess. Monsters teach similar things.
When engaging with magic and monsters, young readers (and young writers too) are studying some really important stuff: how to persevere and solve problems, even when the world seems unfamiliar and scary or strange.
The mythical creatures found in folklore do a lot of different jobs, says Simon Young, a British historian of folklore and co-editor/co-author of the book Magical Folk: British and Irish Fairies, 500 AD to the Present. “[They] uphold morality, enforce taboos, connect to divinity, warn against dangers and, most importantly, entertain,” Young says. “If I had to sum it up, though, I’d say they teach us modesty. There are things that are bigger than us that we glimpse and things that we cannot even conceive: things that are, in any case, beyond our control. They are the unknown. The darkness under the stairs or off the path in the forest or in our neighbor’s heart.”
Magic, a core element of myths, transports us into realms where supernatural forces hold sway. Witches, wizards, and sorcerers wield ancient spells and enchantments, capable of influencing the ordinary world. Magic acts as a catalyst for transformation, allowing heroes to conquer impossible challenges and embark on extraordinary adventures. Throughout history, these elements have been used to teach moral lessons, impart wisdom, and reflect the human condition. They continue to inspire modern literature, films, and video games, captivating audiences of all ages. From J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth to J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World, myths, monsters, and magic continue to enthrall us, inviting us to explore fantastical realms beyond our everyday reality..
Reviews for "Mythical Realms: Exploring the Worlds Where Monsters and Magic Coexist"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Myths, Monsters, and Magic". The stories lacked depth and the characters felt very one-dimensional. The writing style was also very basic, and it felt like I was reading a children's book. Overall, I found this collection to be quite underwhelming and not worth the time or money.
2. John - 2/5 stars - While "Myths, Monsters, and Magic" had an interesting concept, the execution fell short for me. The stories seemed rushed and the world-building was minimal. I wanted more details and explanations about the magical elements, but it was all just skimmed over. Additionally, the writing style felt amateurish and lacked sophistication. I was hoping for a captivating read, but unfortunately, I was left feeling unsatisfied.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - As a fan of mythical creatures and magical tales, I was excited to dive into "Myths, Monsters, and Magic". However, I found the stories to be predictable and lacking originality. The characters were forgettable and their actions felt forced. The overall pacing felt off, with some stories dragging on while others felt rushed. I was hoping for more imaginative and engaging tales, but I was left feeling unimpressed.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - I regret purchasing "Myths, Monsters, and Magic". The stories were not captivating, and the writing style was mediocre at best. I found myself skimming through most of the book just to finish it. The lack of originality and creativity in the storytelling was disappointing. Overall, I would not recommend this collection to anyone looking for enticing mythological tales.