Snake Charmer [Hardcover]

Ann Whitehead Nagda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002 | Age Level: 5 and up | Series: Books for Young Readers

A little boy in India longs to become a snake charmer.

Vishnu dreams of being a snake charmer like his father. He already knows how to handle cobras and he is learning to play the special flute. He longs to go to the city to charm snakes while the tourists watch. But his father thinks that education is more important, so Vishnu must stay home.

Life in the village is never dull, though. There are plenty of games and chores to keep everyone busy, and then there's school, which is taught outdoors. And every few weeks Vishnu's father-and the snakes-return home to visit.

A striking introduction to life in India as seen through the eyes of one little boy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Young readers learn about a child's life in India as they explore an ancient art form in the nonfiction picture book Snake Charmer by Ann Whitehead Nagda. The book, illustrated with color photographs, follows Vishnu, a boy who dreams of following in his father's footsteps. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-The life of a snake charmer in northern India is revealed through the eyes of a son who hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. Through full-color photographs of young Vishnu, his father, and the cobra, children will step into life in this country, experiencing a bustling village, the boy's school, and his chores that include feeding the snakes. Readers will discover villages without electricity, and their interest is sure to be piqued when they learn that the children sleep on quilts on the floor in the one-room house and that the snakes sleep in baskets under the parents' bed. The layout is attractive, with the crisp photos either taking up a full page or framed as pictures in a family album. With its attractive introduction to the country, plus details about the intricacies of a unique profession, this title is sure to charm young readers.
Alida F. Given, Fairhope Intermediate School, AL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805064990
• ISBN-13: 978-0805064995
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,550,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautifully done, May 29, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Snake Charmer (Hardcover)

This book is gorgeous. It tells the story of Vishnu, a boy whose father and grandfather are snake charmers. It's hard to say how much of the actual story is true, but the family clearly is... This book is particularly special in that it gives the reader a taste of village life with a level of quality that I've rarely seen. Many books try to share what someone's life is like, and some succeed. But, I think that few books about Indian families succeed to this degree. And... The book is laid out using colors, designs, and artwork that are distinctly Indian. The folks putting this book together knew what they were doing. It's a book that I'm proud to have in my personal library.