Myth and Legend often get lumped into the same category, but myth, strictly speaking, is a story featuring gods and goddesses which explains the origins of the world, while legend refers to stories of heroic, and perhaps real, humans. Read Bulfinch’s Myrthology for a description of all the Roman and Greek gods, or The Golden Bough, which is a famous study of myth and ancient religious cults. For a direct source of mythology, read the Metamorphoses of Ovid. The Ramayana is a fountain of mythological poetry from ancient India.

As far as legends go, we have the wonderful Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle. Or check out Eirik the Red’s Saga about the medieval Icelandic explorer. The tales of King Arthur are here, as are the legends of his Knights of the Round Table. For books to read to the kids, there are Myths That Every Child Should Know, and its twin, Legends That Every Child Should Know.