Goddess: 50 Goddesses, Spirits, Saints, and Other Female Figures Who Have Shaped Belief
British Museum Series
What’s inside...
This collection features 50 stories of influential female figures from diverse cultures, beautifully written by Dr. Janina Ramirez and illustrated by Sarah Walsh. It includes goddesses, spirits, saints, witches, and demons who have shaped beliefs across the world. The book is organized into thematic chapters focusing on creation, love, war, death, and heroism, and includes original sources and photographs from the British Museum. This empowering introduction to historical goddesses aims to engage and inspire readers globally, with figures like Inanna, Athena, Durga, and Kali.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which goddess or female figure did you find most inspiring and why?
How do the stories of these goddesses show different strengths and qualities?
If you could have a conversation with any of these figures, what would you ask them?
How do these historical figures influence the way we think about leadership and power today?
What qualities do you think make someone a role model, based on the stories you heard?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about each story, validating their perspectives.
Connect the stories to daily life by discussing how qualities shown by these figures can be applied in contemporary settings.
Use the book as an opportunity to explore the cultural and historical contexts of each figure, enhancing their educational value.
Invite your child to imagine and narrate their own myth or story that includes a powerful female character, inspired by the figures in the book.
Discuss with your child how these stories and figures can inspire them to overcome challenges and pursue their goals.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Strength in Diversity
Explanation: The book showcases female figures from various cultures, emphasizing their unique contributions and strengths.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace cultural diversity, understanding that everyone has something valuable to offer regardless of their background.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Courage
Explanation: Many stories in 'Goddess' highlight women overcoming great challenges, demonstrating bravery and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to face difficulties with courage and to persist in overcoming obstacles, applying the same resilience in their personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Influence of Women in History
Explanation: The book details historical accounts of female figures who have made significant impacts in their societies.
Real-World Application: Children recognize the important roles that women have played throughout history, inspiring them to respect and acknowledge contributions from all genders.
Example Lesson: Empowerment through Knowledge
Explanation: Each goddess, spirit, or saint shares a story rich in history and mythology, providing readers with learning opportunities.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to pursue learning with enthusiasm, understanding that knowledge empowers them to make informed and respectful decisions.
Example Lesson: Values and Ethics
Explanation: The characters in the book often exemplify strong moral values and ethical considerations in their stories.
Real-World Application: Children learn to incorporate strong values and ethics in their daily lives, helping to form a strong moral foundation as they grow.