Book excerpt: African myths provide a rich understanding of the cultures that created these fascinating tales. Passed down through the generations, African myths were kept alive by a strong oral tradition. Author Linda Jacobs Altman weaves together traditional tales from seven different cultural groups, including those of Nigeria, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, the Kalahari, and Ghana. She focuses on the distinctions, as well as the similarities, among their lifestyles and legacies. Each of the stories in enhanced by the expert commentary of scholars, wonderful illustrations and a question-and-answer section.