The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha [Hardcover]

Maniam Selven (Illustrator), Uma Krishnaswami (Narrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

A collection of stories about the pantheon of Hindu gods, centering on the sometimes greedy, sometimes impulsive, but always generous, elephant-headed Ganesha.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6, younger for reading aloud. It is rare to find a collection of Hindu folktales for middle readers; this one features stories about the god, Ganesha, who is easily recognized because of his elephant head. Krishnaswami introduces the stories by recalling her own introduction to Ganesha and goes on to offer a mythological context for the tales. These introductory chapters are aimed at adults, but the 17 stories themselves will hit the mark for the intended audience. Included among the tales are "Ganesha's Head," "The Broken Tusk," and 'Why Ganesha Never Married." Most of the stories come from Hindu legend; one comes from Mongolia, where Ganesha made his way into the Buddhist tradition. The pen-and-ink illustrations have child appeal, and readers will be aided by the pronunciation guide and glossary. A useful addition to library shelves. Ilene Cooper

From Kirkus Reviews

Krishnaswami's retellings of Hindu myths from India about the elephant-headed god, Ganesha, which include variants of tales heard in childhood or found in later research, make an elegant and eminently readable volume that's a vital addition to any multicultural shelf. Useful prefatory sections on the whole of Hindu mythology point out that the stories continue to be living cultural and spiritual entities in a way that tales from Greek or Norse mythologies are not, aiming to inculcate a way of life that includes ideas from the Hindu faith. The focus on Ganesha happily clarifies the swirling complexity of Hindu tradition while also enabling readers to empathize with this most likable and humorous god. The question that springs immediately to many readers' minds- -why an elephant's head?--is entertainingly addressed in the first tale, along with the notions of reincarnation and filial responsibility. The latter notion expands in the next story, a clever narrative dealing with the relationship of child to parent. The book also includes one tale, ``The Birth of Phagpa,'' from the Buddhist tradition of Mongolia. Throughout, black-and-white illustrations depict Ganesha's childlike charm, even when he's under duress or stress, or in the throes of heartbreak. This book opens perceptual doors to a great and still vital Eastern tradition--a gift indeed. (pronunciation guide, lists of characters and Ganesha's names, glossary, sources) (Fiction/folklore. 10+) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 98 pages
• Publisher: Linnet Books (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0208024425
• ISBN-13: 978-0208024428
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,683,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Hinduism

More About the Author

Uma Krishnaswami is the author of many books for children. She is also on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Ganesh and Indian mythology., October 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha (Hardcover)

A well written and highly readable book for children and adults alike, "The Broken Tusk" allows children to get to know Indian mythological figures as they really are - with godlike qualities and human frailties. Gods, demons and humans all take on a certain lovableness in this book. The author has presented popular versions of Ganesh stories, without sermonizing about good and evil, leaving the reader to draw the obvious conclusions. Children who are interested in different cultures are sure to enjoy this one, especially young Americans of Indian descent. My 8 year old, a real nature lover, who is fascinated with the multifaceted aspects of Indian mythological figures and their oneness with animals and nature, found it an eminently attractive book to read and to own. Clean, clear illustrations which take on a life of their own also add to the charm of this book. A handsome addition to any library, I recommend it highly.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful book, October 22, 2002

By 

stackofbooks "stackofbooks" (Walpole, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha (Hardcover)

The Broken Tusk tells seventeen different stories of Ganesha in easy reader format for second grade and up. The stories also lend themselves well to the read-aloud format for younger children. Many of my old favorites are here including the ones about how Ganesha got his elephant head and about how he made a "pradakshina" around his parents, into a trip around the world. Some might find the versions of certain stories here to be different from what they know. That is understandable considering how many of these have been passed along strictly through oral tradition. There are also some rarer stories here including one borrowed from Buddhist folklore.

Krishnaswami has done a thorough professional job with this one. She has prefaced the book with a brief introduction to Hindu mythology and to the god Ganesha himself. Also complementing the stories are a glossary of terms, a list of characters (kids would appreciate that!), a list of other names for Ganesha, and a pronunciation guide.

Krishnaswami finishes every story she narrates with a line or two that ties the legend to modern day reality. For example, after the story about Ganesha's head, Krishnaswami explains that in Indian (especially South Indian) temples today, sometimes elephants are fed and maintained reverentially. These acts, Krishnaswami explains, probably acknowledge the sacrifice made by the elephant in the original story. Small explanations like these place the stories in context, a service that I think is especially useful. The last word belongs to the wonderful old-world illustrations by Maniam Selven that complement the stories wonderfully.

With this book, Krishnaswami demonstrates that she is not only a gifted storyteller, she is also a thorough one. The Broken Tusk will get an enthusiastic nod not only from the young reading set but also from their grateful parents. This book is as charming as the elephant god himself!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Just a Children's Book, August 3, 2002

By 

That Ganesha Guy (Fort Collins, CO. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha (Hardcover)

This book was written to be a children's book, but in fact it is probably the best collection of storytelling about the mythology of Ganesha that that I have ever found. The Hindu parthenon's mythology has always been passed along from generation to generation by tales of the Deity in it's various forms. This exquisite book has all the well-known tales of Ganesh as well as some obscure stories and some tales from other lands and religions. I don't have kids but do delight in the simple stories that bring the attributes of Ganesha into light in simple, vivid parables of joy. If you love Ganesh like I love Ganesh, then this is a 'must have.' If you are a storyteller, this is the book that will be a Ganesh guide. If you just want a book that you can read story's in occasionally just to smile and search for meaning in, again, here'tis. This is a delightful exposing of this beloved Deity into Western civilization in our time. GAM.