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The third entry in the World Book Myths & Legends Series that I have read - following upon Ancient Egyptian Myths & Legends and Ancient Greek Myths & Legends - this collection offers a very brief introduction to the incredibly rich body of tales that constitute Norse mythology. Like the other volumes in the series, it includes an extensive list for further reading, a "Who's Who" in mythology, a glossary, and an inclusive index.

The seven selections presented in Norse Myths & Legends include: Thor In the Land of the Giants, which sees the mighty god of thunder being taught a lesson by the cunning giant king, Utgard-Loki; The Curse of Andvari's Ring, in which the reparations made for the accidental slaying of the dwarf King Hreidmar's son lead to further tragedy; and Tyr and the Jaws of Fenris, in which Loki's terrible wolf-son Fenris is finally chained, at great cost to the god of war. The other four tales collected here are: The God Who Loved a Giantess, in which Frey, the god of summer, courts the frost-giant Gerda; Thor's Stolen Hammer, in which the thunder god's mighty weapon is stolen by a giant; The Trick That Killed a God, which sees the death of Balder, as orchestrated by Loki; and finally, Balder's Fate & Loki's Downfall, in which the trickster god is punished.

Although certainly not the equal of other titles meant to introduce children to Norse mythology - most notably the brilliant D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths - this is nevertheless an engaging collection of stories from this body of work. I was pleased to see, after my less than positive reaction to Ardagh's Ancient Greek Myths & Legends, that this one was superior, owing no doubt, to the smaller number of selections. ( )

Re-telling of the Norse myths for children ( )