AN ATLAS OF AFTERLIVES: Discover Underworlds, Otherworlds and Heavenly Realms, beautiful object cramjam full of good stories for kids

AN ATLAS OF AFTERLIVES: Discover Underworlds, Otherworlds and Heavenly Realms
EMILY HAWKINS (illus. Manasawee Rojanaphan)
Wide Eyed Editions
$30.00 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: What happens after we die? This difficult question has fascinated people for thousands of years. An Atlas of Afterlives sets out to explore and explain the many underworlds, otherworlds, heavens and hells believed in by cultures from across the world, throughout history. From paradise gardens to fiery kingdoms, from shadowy isles of the dead to ghostly galleons on an eternal voyage, these visions of eternity are fascinating examples of human creativity and storytelling.

Organised by continent , this book will take you on an eerie journey to discover legendary places from different mythologies. Each lavishly illustrated spread invites you into a different realm of the dead, with deities, demons and other details drawn from historical sources ranging from ancient Egyptian scrolls to Chilean folklore. With wonder , curiosity and sensitivity , every one of these awe-inspiring places is presented in its cultural context, combining real, historical fact with the magical atmosphere of the unknown – and unknowable.

Discover afterlives from all over the world, With stories , histories and maps to get lost in, An Atlas of Afterlives is a truly unforgettable departure from our everyday lives into the depths of world mythology, exploring a fundamental question in an accessible, respectful and totally unique way. This lavish volume will fire the imaginations of curious explorers aged 9-12 keen for a glimpse of what lies beyond.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Remember Emily Hawkins? Her effort regarding mythical kingdoms led me to look for, and forward to, this beautiful looking item:

The artist, Manasawee Rojanaphan, has a great design sense and a broad imagination. This is some of what is covered:

The careful effort to present the world's thinking about the thing that happens after we die is admirable; the clarity and concision of the stories; the sensitive artwork that invites close and sustained examination, all add up to much more than just the sum of the pretty parts.

Your curious folklore and mythology-loving tween will enjoy it as an aesthetic object, as will any teens still (re)reading the many modern takes on mythology. It is a useful reference book for the grade-school set. It wouldn't look too terrible on Grandpa's hearthside reading chair, either. All ages can find some appreciation for its facets; the hallmark of a truly well-made and -thought-through book.