From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3. The tale of Prince Rama is both complex (filling 24,000 couplets in the Ramayana) and simple (good triumphs over evil). Souhami preserves the central ingredients: the characters and the plot outline. At the request of his jealous stepmother, Rama is exiled by his father, the king, for 14 years. His wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshman, accompany him on his demon-killing adventures in the forest. They live happily until Ravana, the 10-headed demon king, employs a ruse to steal Sita. Hanuman, the monkey leader, and his monkey army help rescue her and the prince kills Ravana. Rama becomes king, forgiving his stepmother, and all ends well. The illustrations, clear, flat blocks of color against a white background, look like tissue-paper cutouts. Indian artistic conventions (profile heads and lower bodies, straight-on torsos) and decorative motifs add an exotic flavor. Sherbet-bright tints and a lively, uncluttered layout increase the appeal of this ancient but engaging tale.?Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
Souhami (The Leopard's Drum, 1996, etc.) creates bold illustrations that have the look of cut-paper collage for this retelling of a Hindu tale from The Ramayana. Brave and good prince Rama should be happy--he's the king's favorite son, his wife is dear, his brother is his best friend, and everybody loves him--except his jealous stepmother. She arranges for Rama's exile to the dangerous, demon-ridden forest for 14 years. Wife and brother accompany Rama thence, and together the three establish peace and live a simple life. Enter Ravana, the ten-headed king of demons, who flies to India in his magic chariot to avenge his slain demons only to be instantly smitten with Rama's wife, Sita, whom he steals. The brothers search for Sita, enlisting the aid of Hanuman, the leader of the monkey army. In subsequent warfare the demons are defeated; Rama slays Ravana, is reunited with Sita, and returns to India, only to find that his father has died of grief. Rama is made king, ruling so wisely that the land becomes fruitful and free of evil. What sets this folktale apart from many others is the author's theatrical sense of timing; Souhami cues storytellers as to the inflections and pauses for suspense that will make this a story- hour favorite. (Picture book/folklore. 5-9) --
Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
