Myths and Legends from Around the World: The Golden Hoard, Retold by Geraldine McCaughrean, Illustrated by Bee Willey, Orion Children’s Books, Pounds 14.99. 1 85881 201 1. Tales of Amazing Maidens, Retold by Pomme Clayton, Illustrated by Sophie Herxheimer, Orchard Books, Pounds 12.99. 1 85213 792 4. The Ocean of Story: A Collection of Magical Folk Tales, Retold by Caroline Ness, Illustrated by Jacqueline Mair, Macdonald Young Books, Pounds 12.99. 0 7500 1688 4

One man’s myth is another woman’s misery: so many folk tales reflect the sort of controversial values not everyone wishes to set before their children. Not that folklore was originally designed for tender eyes and ears. Sifting through the rich heritage of folklore is nonetheless a responsible task for both writer and artist (no less responsible for a reviewer - which is why I roped in my teacher daughter and her 14-year-old; our views were surprisingly close). The five books reviewed here cover a wide spectrum of cultures and approaches.

Our favourite is The Orchard Book of Creation Stories, a collection of 10 tales of six to seven pages each, only one from Europe - three from Africa and three from native North Americans, two from Polynesians. It is well written in a simple, lyrical style that children will enjoy reading by themselves; each tale has a sentence about its contents as well as a title, and commentary and sources at the back of the 77-page book.

The illustrations are a perfect match for the stories, beautifully understated in a dreamy, rainbow style that not only gives the impression of raceless humans, but relates to the present stories rooted in the past.

The Dorling Kindersley Illustrated Book of Myths is a typically sumptuous, informative DK production that should become an obligatory library, school and family reference book. It brings together both the best-known Greek, Norse, Celtic and Anglo-Saxon myths, and stories from Africa, India, Japan, China, South America, as well as Inuit, native American and Aboriginal traditions. The 67 (not 75 as stated in the blurb) stories are grouped by theme: Creation, Beginnings, Endings, Fertility, Gods, etc. At the back is a seven-page Who’s Who of mythical characters and a four-page index.

Britain’s folklore scholar Neil Philip is the ideal choice to chart the readerdipper through the mythical maze and tell an enthralling tale. The detailed artwork is provided by the outstanding Bombay-born artist Nilesh Mistry. As is the way with international books these days, however, the myths are sanitised (no lusty libertines or naked flesh) and standardised to fit the page. All the same, children will love to dip in and be entertained as well as educated by these timeless, universal stories.

It is unfortunate that Myths and Legends boasts that its 22 tales has seven stories more than its rival! But it does select one myth from each culture (eg Robin Hood from England, El Cid from Spain) and it includes an informative four-page commentary on each tale at the end. The artwork is novel and attractive, more in an allegorical Chagall style than a Pre-Raphaelite attention to detail. What raises this book above the ordinary is the deft touch of Geraldine McCaughrean, a truly gifted writer who makes these age-old tales so fresh and immediate.

Tales of Amazing Maidens makes no bones about its bias: the protagonist of all 10 folktales from nine lands is a bold female. Pomme Clayton is a professional storyteller who tells her tales for reading aloud, so that children will love the reading experience.

They will also be amused by the colourful snakes, braids, necklaces and trees that twine themselves around each page spread; the artist has also made a laudable attempt to fit her art to the culture she is portraying. A rollicking, rich, irreverent set of yarns about bold, strong and wise heroines.

Definitely not so politically correct is The Ocean of Story, a collection of Indian folk tales (though the title gives no clue to that). The first tale has a king with hundreds of wives and threatens to banish the lot for failing to produce any children: “What is wrong with these women?” he roars . . . Caroline Ness writes a refreshingly simple, attractive text, and Jacqueline Mair paints a beautiful Indian-style artwork. Neil Philip pops up again as “selector” of the stories (couldn’t the writer do that?) and author of a scholarly introduction that sensible children will skip.