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Mythology and Folklore

This guide will help you find sources about mythology, folklore, and urban legend.

Articles and databases

Search these databases first for scholarly articles about monsters. You might try others listed on this guide's "Articles" page as well. Use general search terms like "monsters" OR "imaginary animals," or specific terms for particular creatures - e.g., "vampire," "chupacabra," "Gorgon," etc. You could try combining those terms with the names of cities, regions, nations, and peoples if you are interested in monster legends from a particular place or culture. 

Encyclopedias and other reference works

In addition to the more general encyclopedias and similar reference resources listed on this guide's "Encyclopedias, etc." page, you might find these, which are about monsters and mythical creatures more specifically, useful as well. 

Books about monsters and mythical creatures

Below is a selection of books about monsters and mythical creatures. To find others, follow the instructions on this guide's "Books" page. You can use "monsters" as a search term, or the words for the specific kinds of monsters that interest you. 

Internet sources