THE FIRST BOOK OF MYTHICAL BEASTS

This might be bracketed with The First Book of Mythology, although the approach to the subject is rather unusual. For here are creatures whose names have come to be symbols of characteristics (dragon- chimera- phoenix); or names of constellations; or emblems in heraldry. And yet their stories are comparatively unfamiliar except perhaps the story of the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece, and the story of the labors of Hercules. There's material here which adults will find valuable for reference and children will read as fairy tales and legends. Lewis Zachs' drawings against colorblock are effective, decorative and interpretive.