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Editorial Reviews
The Second Story Review, June 1997
I have to confess to knowing little about Hindu mythology. The acquaintance I had made with it before this book left me with an impression of a rich but often confusing and violent body of stories.
I have to confess to knowing little about Hindu mythology. The acquaintance I had made with it before this book left me with an impression of a rich but often confusing and violent body of stories.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I met Ganesha, the fat-bellied god with a human body, an elephant head, and four arms. This is a jolly god, a god of mischief, impulse, and such joie de vivre that he often dances with delight! He likes sweets, rides on the back of a mouse, and carries in his hands the symbols for good judgment, joy, sacrifice, and prosperity. Children can identify with him, but in spite of his child-like qualities, he is still a god, among whose 108 names are included King of Obstacles and Supreme Leader.
It was Ganesha, according to one story, who showed Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva how to begin their ongoing tasks of creating, preserving and destroying the universe. He is the master of dance, the remover of obstacles, the bringer of luck and the patron of writers.
Krishnaswami's retellings of these stories are respectful yet lively and full of fun, as is Ganesha himself. The stories are not only entertaining, they give us a glimpse of the Hindu view of the world, and by their example teach non-violence, respect for life, and the danger of greed and vanity.
Before beginning the stories, Krishnaswami relates her own acquaintance with Ganesha tales as a young child in India. She then devotes a chapter to describing him, and his attributes, and next presents a clear and readable introduction to Hindu mythology. It is with this preparation that the reader meets the chubby little boy whose own head is replaced by that of an elephant. To top it all off, Krishnaswami includes a pronunciation guide, a glossary, a list of characters, a partial list of Ganesha's 108 names, and a list of sources. What more could one want?
This book is a boon for multicultural collections, a delight for readers of all ages, and a treasure trove for storytellers.
From Booklist
Gr. 4^-6, younger for reading aloud. It is rare to find a collection of Hindu folktales for middle readers; this one features stories about the god, Ganesha, who is easily recognized because of his elephant head. Krishnaswami introduces the stories by recalling her own introduction to Ganesha and goes on to offer a mythological context for the tales. These introductory chapters are aimed at adults, but the 17 stories themselves will hit the mark for the intended audience. Included among the tales are "Ganesha's Head," "The Broken Tusk," and 'Why Ganesha Never Married." Most of the stories come from Hindu legend; one comes from Mongolia, where Ganesha made his way into the Buddhist tradition. The pen-and-ink illustrations have child appeal, and readers will be aided by the pronunciation guide and glossary. A useful addition to library shelves. Ilene Cooper
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