Myths and legends
Where can I find information about myths and legends from around the world?
(Years 5-8)
Image: Gaziantep Achaeological Museum Poseidon mosaic Poseidon in 2007 0337b by Dosseman on Wikimedia Commons. CC by 4.0. Image cropped.
Entry last updated: 15/06/26
Introduction
Every culture has its own myths and legends. Legends are semi-true stories based on historical facts, events, and people. Myths are stories based on legends or sometimes used to explain origins, beliefs, and supernatural beings like gods, demigods, monsters, and fairies. Other types of stories might be called fairy tales, folklore, or fables.
Egypt, Rome, Greece and China are some cultures that are famous for their myths and legends.
For Māori stories, have a look at our topic for Pūrākau (Māori origin stories).
General websites
The websites below will explain more about myths and legends, and how they began in various countries around the world.
Britannica School is part of EPIC, a collection of reliable databases covering lots of different topics. It’s put together especially for New Zealand school students and helps to answer questions like this.
To find information about legends:
Enter the keyword 'legend' into the search box.
Then select legend (literature) to read an article that explains more about legends.
Find the Related link in the navigation box. Here you will find famous legends such Robin Hood, Helen of Troy, and more.
To find information about:
Search for 'myth'.
Choose the article on mythology to read about myths.
Look down the page for links to myths from different cultures, such as Egyptian Mythology and Roman Mythology.
Or you could try searching for fairy tale, folklore, fable or storytelling.
Tips: To use the EPIC resources you will need a password from your school librarian. Or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians. Your public library may have some EPIC databases too.
National Geographic Kids has articles on science, animals, geography and history. Because mythology was such an important part of many ancient cultures, you can find information about myths and legends here too.
From the homepage, choose Discover along the top of the page.
Then choose History.
Now you can look through the different articles and find things like Viking Gods and Goddesses, the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece, and the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt.
Tips: Websites that have .com or .co in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About us link on the website, if you can find one. That can tell you what the company’s mission and values are.
This education site is easy to read and interesting. The section on history includes myths, mythology and legends from various civilisations. Sometimes you have to look under different headings to find the links to myths and legends.
From the homepage, select the History tab at the top of the page.
Then look under the Ancient History heading.
Now choose a culture, for example Ancient Rome.
The myths and legends here can be found under the Arts and Religion section.
Other sections might have myths and legends under a different heading, for example, if you choose Ancient China, you will find mythology under the Culture heading.
Tips: Many web pages have links to further information or to other recommended sites. Following these links is a great way to find out more.
Project Gutenberg - Children's Myths, Fairy Tales, etc.
This is a digital library of free eBooks. This is their collection of books that have myths, fairy tales, and more from around the world.
Browse through the books for one you want to read.
It only shows 25 at a time, so choose the Next link at the end to see more.
Choose the book you want to read eg Indian Fairy Tales.
Then select the Read online now button.
The Contents might have links to particular stories in the book.
Tips: Check out the FAQs to find out about this website. Books are only published if they don't have a Copyright anymore. Most are older than 95 years, so use language from that time. Authors might not be from the culture they're writing stories about.
This is an online encylopedia of mythology. It is written by experts and researchers. It has guides about different types of mythology, gods, characters, creatures, and more.
Select Guides and choose a culture eg Japanese or Aztec.
Then choose a topic to find out about like the God Quetzalcoatl.
Videos
These websites have videos about myths and legends. Some talk about different cultures or topics, and some tell the actual stories.
LearnEnglish Kids - Traditional stories
This website comes from the British Council, a charity in the United Kingdom. This collection of videos and activities tells the stories of some myths and legends.
Browse the list for a story eg The great race or The magic fish.
Look for the video on the page to watch it.
Ted-Ed - Myths from Around the World
This is a playlist of videos from Ted-Ed on YouTube. They make animated short videos for education.
Look through the playlist for a story to watch.
You can find out about Why do so many cultures have dragon legends?
Or hear about the The Fijian myth of the greedy god.
Tips: Some stories might be about difficult or sad topics. If you find something upsetting, you can stop the video and talk with a trusted adult.
Tips: You will find a huge selection of videos on YouTube. We recommend you view videos from reliable sources like National Geographic, History Channel, BBC etc.
Books
Your school library or public library will have lots of books on myths and legends from different cultures.
Here are some suggested titles:
Myths & Legends! by Andrea Mills
The amazing book of world mythology by Stella Caldwell
Myths and legends ultimate handbook by Ben Hubbard
Beasts of the ancient world: a kids' guide to mythical creatures, from the sphinx to the minotaur, dragons to Baku by Marchella Ward
Treasury of magical tales from around the world by Donna Jo Napoli.
SCIS no: 1941073
