Ram the Demon Slayer [Hardcover]

Vatsala Sperling (Author), Pieter Weltevrede (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

An illustrated version of the classic Hindu epic the Ramayana

• Presents the famous Hindu epic retold for Western children ages 6 to 9

• Fully illustrated with full-color paintings in traditional Indian style

Long ago, the story goes, the entire earth was overrun with demons. The ten-headed demon king Ravana had prayed to his grandfather, Lord Brahma, asking that he be granted immortality. And Brahma had granted his wish . . . almost. No god, demon, plant, or animal could harm Ravana, which allowed him to cause considerable damage as he and his demon army ransacked the earth. But Ravana was so scornful of humans he hadn’t bothered to ask for protection from them. This omission would prove to be his downfall.

With cries for help rising from every corner of the earth, the heavenly gods, Lords Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, decided that something had to be done to rid the world of the rampaging demons and restore peace and order. They decided that Vishnu should be incarnated upon the earth in the form of the virtuous prince Ram. As a human prince, albeit one who had help from the gods, he would be able to defeat the demon king.

In Ram the Demon Slayer, readers follow Ram from his conception and birth through his training with sages and first successful demon battles to his marriage to the beautiful princess Sita and his final triumphant victory over the demon king. This beautifully illustrated retelling of the Ramayana makes accessible to Western children and their parents one of the favorite heroes of the Hindu tradition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A welcome introduction for children to a beloved spiritual classic."
(Light of Consciousness, Autumn 2006 )

"The vivid, three-dimensional illustrations are a delight to behold, and make Ram's fantastic and bold adventures come to life."
(Madigan McGillicuddy, Alaska Wellness, July-Aug 2006 )

"Like Sperling and Weltrevrede's earlier book, How Parvati Won the Heart of Shiva, this book is a must-have for families who crave more than TV programs, action-adventure movies, and video games for their children. This is real literature of an ancient and distinguished culture. The illustrations are splendid."
(Barbara Ardinger, The Blessed Bee, Summer 2006 )

"This will have a high appeal for children. The illustrations are in color and will catch all readers' attention with their descriptive insights. Listed under folklore, for ages 6 - 9, it is the kind of children's book with a wide appeal."
(Lee Prosser, Ghostvillage.com, Jan 2007 )

From the Back Cover

FOLKLORE

Long ago, the story goes, the entire earth was overrun with demons. The ten-headed demon king Ravana had prayed to his grandfather, Lord Brahma, asking to be granted immortality. And Brahma had granted his wish . . . almost. No god, demon, plant, or animal could harm Ravana, which allowed him to cause considerable damage as he and his demon army ransacked the earth. But Ravana was so scornful of humans he hadn’t bothered to ask for protection from them. This omission would prove to be his downfall.

With cries for help rising from every corner of the earth, the heavenly gods Lords Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu decided that something had to be done to rid the world of the rampaging demons and to restore peace and order. They decided that Vishnu should be incarnated upon the earth in the form of the virtuous prince Ram. As a human prince, albeit one who had help from the gods, he would be able to defeat the demon king Ravana.

Adapted from the epic story the Ramayana and illustrated with rich color paintings executed in the traditional Indian wash technique, Ram the Demon Slayer makes accessible to Western children and their parents one of India’s favorite heroes. It follows Ram from his conception and birth through his training with sages and first successful demon battles to his marriage to the beautiful princess Sita and his final triumphant victory over the demon king Ravana. Honest, trustworthy, compassionate, and brave--Ram is indeed the ideal hero.

VATSALA SPERLING, PH.D., fluent in five Indian languages and Sanskrit, learned these traditional stories at her mother’s feet and enjoys introducing them to children of the Western world. Before marrying and moving to the United States, she was the chief of Clinical Microbiological Services at the largest children’s hospital in India. She is the author of A Marriage Made in Heaven, How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head, and How Parvati Won the Heart of Shiva and lives in Vermont with her husband and son.

PIETER WELTEVREDE, who began his artistic studies with Harish Johari in 1977 and also studied with Shri Chandra Bal, is a social scientist by training. He lives in Holland with his wife and two children and travels to India annually. He is also the illustrator of Little Krishna, How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head, How Parvati Won the Heart of Shiva, and The Monkeys and the Mango Tree.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bear Cub Books (January 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591430577
• ISBN-13: 978-1591430575
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,491,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Eastern

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Indian Story, January 14, 2011

By 

R. Huria "not amused by bad products" (Toledo, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ram the Demon Slayer (Hardcover)

This a classic story told with some modification for younger audience. My daughter loves the illustrations and enjoys the story. Illustrations help her grasp the story. She is 4 year old so I think its little longer and more complex than she can handle at this age. However, she has heard the shorter version many times and still likes to hear the story. I think the illustrations help retain her attention. I believe we will be reading this book for several more years.

5.0 out of 5 stars The epic tale of Ramayana drawn from the timeless historical mythology of the Hindu culture of India, August 12, 2006

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ram the Demon Slayer (Hardcover)

With remarkably impressive artwork from Pieter Welteverde, Ram The Demon Slayer by Vatsala Sperling tells the epic tale of Ramayana drawn from the timeless historical mythology of the Hindu culture of India. Creatively authored and with sensational paintings created in the traditional Indian wash technique, Ram The Demon Slayer carries its young readers through the mesmerizing tale of Vishnu's incarnation as the human prince Ram in combat of the evil ten-headed demon king, Ravana. A welcome and popular addition to any school or community library Folklore & Mythology picturebook collection, Ram The Demon Slayer is very highly recommended and entertaining reading for all children age 6 to 9.