Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths and Legends of India (A Puffin Book) Jaffrey, Madhur and Foreman, Michael Paperback – 7 July 2016

Must read for kids to know more about India.

This is for those interested in genuine Indian folklore, mythological as well as cultural.The collection begins with a wonderful author’s note that details her childhood and how storytelling played a part in it.The tales are arranged in the order of the lunar calendar, which generally begins around April. This is significant as Hindu festivals are celebrated as per the lunar cycle. The structure of the book is thus simple. The author gives a brief intro of the upcoming segment, mostly through a memory of her childhood connected with that event/deity. Then there are tales related to that particular event/deity. This mix of personal anecdotes and mythological tales makes the book charming and creates a nice balance between lore and reality.The tales come not just from Indian mythological works such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata but also from the stories that the author heard from her elders in her childhood. All of them are strong in Indian cultural essence and medium-to-quick paced. The mythological tales are more like snippets than the entire epic, but they provide enough information as well as intrigue the reader into looking for more detailed narrations. The illustrations (both B&W as well as in colour) by Michael Foreman are striking, though the appeal of that vibrant cover isn’t replicated in any of them.I loved rereading quite a few stories that I had read in my childhood. At the same time, there were a couple of festivals I have never heard of, such as a festival in March that celebrates brothers! It just goes to reaffirm what a vast and diverse culture we have in India.One of the highlights of the book is the special pronunciation guide to all the proper names. This is at the end of the book and is extensive. Each entry includes not just the pronunciation but also a brief introduction of the character whenever he/she is taken from mythology.As this is technically a children’s book, let me clarify that the book aims at kids aged 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7. That said, the stories would work well for even adult readers who love learning about other countries and cultures.4.25 starsDisclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book at my request and these are my honest thoughts about it.

Soo excited to finally find a hardcover of this book . Arrived swiftly and in amazing condition. X

This was one of my very favorite books as a child; I checked it out from the local library at least once or twice a year for several years. I recently bought a copy and I'm happy to report that, 25+ years later, it still holds up! It's just as enchanting as I remember, filled with exciting, vividly-told tales and gorgeous watercolor illustrations. Madhur Jaffrey is a gifted storyteller who excels at conveying a sense of "being there" to a reader from a far-away land and culture. This book is truly a classic!

My Grand Nephew loves this book. Thank you for getting it there quickly.

This book was a childhood favourite of mine, so it was great to find it again. It was the book that first sparked my fascination with Indian culture, and even ten years later I can still understand why.It is written from an adult's perspective, but with all the enthusiasm of a child, and the stories are quite simply told yet still very engaging.I imagine it would be perfect for bedtime or break-time stories, as it is laid out as one story per chapter.Even though it is a children's book, the stories are told in such a friendly, enthusiastic tone that it doesn't feel in the least condescending, even reading it again as an adult.

Lovely book for children