I find Wikipedia a great ehlp in the first instances and I often read forward through the references which is a Godsend.
Like you, I was a Britannica child and if I recall, there was also a child's general encyclopedia that I was given. Dad had many non-fiction books in his library with illustrations and black and white photos which were helpful with school projects and homework. I also had a small and simple equine encyclopedia, being horse-mad - RS Summerhayes Book of Horses and Ponies.
Beginning my writing life with fantasy provided me with many reference books on myth and legend but the most outstanding has been Carol Rose's Encyclopedia of the Little People - Spirits, Faeries, Gnomes and Goblins. It can be a terrifying read!
But often, into my mind will pop a quarto-sized book with an orange cover which was a child's encyclopedia of myth and legend. I can't remember its title and have googled a million versions to try and locate it through secondhand bookshops. It was wonderful, both with illustration and story telling. I was probably 7-11 when it had its impact.
I find Wikipedia a great ehlp in the first instances and I often read forward through the references which is a Godsend.
Like you, I was a Britannica child and if I recall, there was also a child's general encyclopedia that I was given. Dad had many non-fiction books in his library with illustrations and black and white photos which were helpful with school projects and homework. I also had a small and simple equine encyclopedia, being horse-mad - RS Summerhayes Book of Horses and Ponies.
Beginning my writing life with fantasy provided me with many reference books on myth and legend but the most outstanding has been Carol Rose's Encyclopedia of the Little People - Spirits, Faeries, Gnomes and Goblins. It can be a terrifying read!
But often, into my mind will pop a quarto-sized book with an orange cover which was a child's encyclopedia of myth and legend. I can't remember its title and have googled a million versions to try and locate it through secondhand bookshops. It was wonderful, both with illustration and story telling. I was probably 7-11 when it had its impact.