Indian Tales [Hardcover]

Shenaaz Nanji (Author), Christopher Corr (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

From magical spirits in the northeastern mountains to sneaky robbers and brave heroines in the Indus Valley, these stories, each taken from a different state, are full of action and adventure. Cultural notes introduce every tale, giving readers a taste of India's rich and diverse heritage.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Part folklore, part cultural tour, this collection of eight folktales begins with a short, enthusiastic
introduction to India s diverse history, people, and landscape. The stories have been drawn from distinct
areas of India from Punjab in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south. Prior to each story, a two-page
description of the region provides a smattering of information on customs, clothing, traditions, and
celebrations, some of which play a role in the tale that follows. No sources are given, but each story has
the tight structure, a well-honed pace, and a distinctive, authentic folklore flavor. Bright, colorful, simple
illustrations pick up story elements, frame the narrative, and parade throughout the pages. Filled with East
Indian customs and flavors, magic and secrets, and brave and silly characters, this savory collection is well
suited for independent reading, reading aloud, and multicultural studies.

--Booklist, November 15, 2007

This anthology presents eight fluid retellings of folktales from different Indian states...An introduction offers a brief overview of the country's history, from Indus Valley civilization to the Mughal dynasties, concluding with a paragraph about modern India. Each folktale is preceded by a note with facts about the state from which it originated, including explanations of festivals or terms that appear in the text. Illustrations and page borders support the texts perfectly as the folk-style paintings reflect colors of rural life.

The collection provides a good introduction to Indian folklore and could be enjoyed as a read-aloud by younger children, while students in the intermediate grades can enjoy them independently." --School Library Journal

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Barefoot Books (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846860830
• ISBN-13: 978-1846860836
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Anthologies

More About the Author

Shenaaz Nanji was born on the ancient island of Mombasa, one of the oldest settlements on the East African coast, and grew up amid a fusion of cultures: Bantu-Swahili, colonial British, and East Indian.

She holds an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. She has written seven books for children. Her novel, Child of Dandelions, was nominated for the Governor General's Award for Children's Literature in 2008.

A strong advocate of literacy, Shenaaz likes to inspire and motivate children to read and believes that words have power to change lives, especially for young people.

Shenaaz is a lover of Baobab seeds, laughter, dancing alone, and singing in the shower.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indian Tales Will Impress All Readers- Young and Old, January 7, 2008

By 

Diana Rohini LaVigne "Online Editor, Indianl... (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indian Tales (Hardcover)

Book Review

Title: Indian Tales
Author: Shenaaz Nanji
Illustrator: Christopher Corr
Publisher: Barefoot Books
ISBN: 978-1-84686-083-6
Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine

Vibrant. Alluring. Brilliant. Indian Tales by Shenaaz Nanji and illustrated by Christopher Corr is a phenomenal collection of daily life stories from different regions of India. Each section takes on the personality of the region and brings forward the colors and imagery from that region's lifestyle and legends.

Together the collection of stories weave a beautifully written work of art that will delight children and adults alike. From the tale of the young drummer boy named Gopal to the royal narrative about the princess Damayanti, Indian Tales delivers a book filled with information, poetry and culturally-rich images that promise to enchant adolescent readers.

It is a book that begs to be read and reread over and over again. Nanji does a superior job winning the interest of readers and keeping them coming back from more. Readers will explore deeper into the regions with each read and images will continue to reinforce the information learned. Indian Tales is an important piece of cultural literature and should be on the top of wish lists for schools and libraries around the global.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Children's Classic, June 23, 2008

By 

John Henry (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indian Tales (Hardcover)

I can't decide who loved this book more, me or my children! Together we have read many of the stories over and over again.

This is a book that is both insightful and fun. The stories are simple and straightforward but also carry deeper meanings and significance.

Plus the illustrations are a bonus! They paint a rich and descriptive picture of the Indian subcontinent.

"Damayanti and Nala," the love story was my favorite.

Well done Nanji.

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous and fun!, January 15, 2012

By 

Birdie Neihardt - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Indian Tales (Hardcover)

This collection of tales is beautifully illustrated and brimming with rich Indian culture. Each tale is taken from a different region of the Indian sub-continent and the stories are preceeded by fun and insightful information about these regions. The stories, which are read over and over in our home, are full of mythical creatures and the magic of ancient India and make for wonderful bedtime reading! Definitely a must have for your child's bookshelf.