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Barefoot Books Reviewed by Mary Baldasaro

Barefoot Books, an imprint of Shambhala publications, Inc., offers three marvellous myths in keeping with its commitment to delight and inspire readers by publishing new and
traditional myths,legends, and fairy tales in which the characters, faced with the challenges of life, find the courage to face and overcome adversity . A foreword in each of the books allows the authors to provide essential cultural background, and explain the symbols and underlying themes. This frees the author as storyteller to tell the tale in the appropriate voice, with the reading audience more fully aware of the true depth of the story and the many layers of meaning. This
discussion gives the reader insight into the author's perspective, focus and intent, heightening the reader's appreciation of the storyteller's craft.

The Myth of Isis and Osiris
The Outlandish Adventures of Orpheus in the Underworld
Kun-Man-Gur The Rainbow Serpent

The Myth of Isis and Osiris, retold by Jules Cashford. ISBN 1-56957-909-1 (hc) 29 P $19.50 Cdn, $15.00 U.S.

The ancient Egyptian myth of Isis. Isis and Osiris is one of the oldest known stories, predating even Homer by 2000 years. Cashford has recounted the drama of the Nile's cycle of life, death, and rebirth, a theme that can be found throughout the natural world in the rhythms of nature. The almost Biblical beginning of the story is engaging as Cashford introduces an exotic and unfamiliar cast of characters. The tale advances, but the details of the story seem to break the flow for a time until the conclusion restores the rhythm. The book is appropriately and attractively decorated with photographs, line drawings, and colour plates from a variety of collections of Egyptian art.
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The Outlandish Adventures of Orpheus in the Underworld by Paul Newham, illustrated by Elaine Cox. ISBN 1-56957-908-3 (hc) 31 P $19.50

The beautiful and tragic Greek myth of Orpheus is recreated in Paul Newham's prose poem, which is both lyrical and highly entertaining. Newhham uses the classic devices of the poet -the alliteration, the assonance choosing each word, each note carefully- so that the story moves like the song that it is. And wonderfully, in all its brilliancy, the story becomes even more accessible, for this myth, after all, has always belonged to the people. Elaine Cox's mixed media images enhance the text, yet never distract, as if they were the musical score to this composition.
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Kun-Man-Gur The Rainbow Serpent retold by James Cowan, illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft. ISBN 1-56957-906-7 (hc) 31 P $21.50 Cdn

This aboriginal creation myth from Australia tells of the time, when the world was new, that the Rainbow Serpent helped the flying foxes. In this tale, their most revered spirit being, Kun-Man-Gur, creates and selects food for these creatures, separates the species, and shows himself, finally, to be the rainbow.

This deceptively simple tale is retold in a charming, folksy way. The different voices of the animal characters, such as Kunbul the Bat, speak to the reader (with Australian accents, naturally). Bronwyn Bancroft's stunning artwork depicts a time when the world was fresh. There is surprising similarity between the artist's vibrant Aboriginal images and those of Canadian Inuit First Nation artists.
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