Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India [Hardcover]

Aaron Shepard (Author), Vera Rosenberry (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

The profoundly moving story of Savitri, one of the best-loved of India, appears in the Hindu national epic, The Mahabharata. Shepherd's dramatic retelling is exquisitely illuminated by Rosenberry's artwork. The artist has painstakingly brought back to life a legendary world. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- In this retelling of a story from The Mahabharata , beautiful and wise Savitri, the king's only child, goes in search of the perfect husband. She finds one in Satyavan, the dutiful son of a dispossessed and blind monarch, and overcomes her father's reluctance to let her marry a man who is both a pauper and soon to die (if prophesies are to be believed). She tricks Yama, the god of death who comes to claim Satyavan's soul, into restoring her father-in-law's kingdom and eyesight; granting more children to her own father; and relinquishing her husband's soul and life. The narration is fine, although not as stylish as Madhur Jaffrey's version in Seasons of Splendor (Puffin, 1991), but reads aloud very well. Ink-and-watercolor pictures are in imitation of Indian religious book illustrations and fully reinforce the action of the text, although Yama appears much milder than in other versions. Readers will enjoy the perspicacity and tenacity of this feisty heroine, be fascinated by the uniquely Indian cultural details, and revel in the authentic paintings. --John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A smooth retelling of a tale from The Mahabharata, ``India's great national epic,'' first transcribed about 2000 years ago after a long life in the oral tradition; an excellent note suggests that it ``arises from a time when...women [were] far more independent than later Indian culture allowed.'' The wise and beautiful princess Savitra, seeking a husband of her own choice, selects the impoverished son of a conquered king, despite a prophecy that the son will die in just a year. When Yama (death) appears, she outwits him with a series of ingenious bargains in which she not only regains her beloved husband's life but restores her father-in-law's kingdom. Rosenberry's delicately drawn illustrations strike a good balance between bright, stylized scenes that recall Indian art and more realistically expressive characters that will appeal to a contemporary audience. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company; First edition. edition (March 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807572519
• ISBN-13: 978-0807572511
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 11.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,221,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discover this hidden treasure! (Best for ages 4-10), July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India (Hardcover)

At the risk of sounding politically correct, I must say it's rare to find a children's story in which the lead woman isn't either wicked beyond all reason or totally incompetent; look to Disney for proof.

Then there's Savitri. Although she comes from money, she judges others by their character rather than social status (something notably rare in India today). This quality is illustrated when she selects a mate. The author interprets this folktale by showing respect for India's cultural tradition of arranged marriage while also supporting a woman's right to choose. These two apparently opposing methods of mate-selection are "married" as Savitri herself has her father arrange to meet the man she has selected -- how delightful!

When faced with the life of her husband in jeopardy, Savitri reveals amazing personal character. She faces India's grim reaper with tremendous courage, unwavering determination and sincere devotion. And in doing so, she thinks first of others (her step-father's happiness) before thinking of herself.

Overall, the story is told in a clear manner, with interesting names (parents may need to assist with pronunciation) and beats Dr. Suess hands-down. The pictures are exquisitely done.

Savitri is a wonderful treat for any boy or girl (age 4 to 10) although, I must confess, I enjoyed it too (and I'm a bit older).

The author has other books based on stories from other cultures. Search for 'a tale of ancient india' on AltaVista's Advanced Search for links to a full text of the book as well as the author's website.

Enjoy Savitri! scottie

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Princess, December 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India (Hardcover)

I loved this book because it was anti-thetical to western notions of women as the one's that need to be saved(Think Disney). The woman engages in a journey to find love rather than experience an instantaneous 'aha-I see you and I love you" scenario. My 4-year-old daughter loves the pictures and the heroic story too!