Ramayana

“A classical Indian literature scholar offers a brief and engaging version of the ancient and beloved epic Hindu poem Ramayana. Based on oral tradition, the book narrates with poetic language the journey of the divine Rama as he rescues his beloved wife, Sita, after she was abducted by the evil, 10-headed demon king Ravana…. The author does an impressive job of portraying Lord Rama, a revered Hindu god, as a well-rounded figure with all the doubts, faults, and fallibility of a mortal, as when he tests Sita’s loyalty and chastity on three different occasions…. Vibrant, detailed, and mystical illustrations showing ferocious rakshasas (demons) and graceful heroes enhance the text.... The fluid and evocative prose and nonstop action are sure to draw in those who already know and love this classic as well as providing an accessible introduction to readers unfamiliar with the story. Striking illustrations and a compelling narrative bring an important Indian tale of good and evil to young readers.”

* Kirkus Reviews *

“The crisp narrative, complemented by Sonali Zohra’s vivid images, relates the timeless story of Rama’s exile and triumphant return. Sattar, who has a Ph.D. in classical Indian literatures from the University of Chicago, reminds readers that while dharma (duty) tells us what we should do, it is karma (action) that determines what happens to us…. Recommended for ages 10 and up, the hardback is affordably priced.”

-- Murali Kamma * Khabar *

“An unforgettable tale of love [and] adventure…. in an authoritative, gripping retelling.”

-- Darshana Khiani * Flowering Minds *

“Somehow in this modern English translation of Valmiki’s text the story reads beautifully without any glitches, without any of those annoyingly forced attempts at putting down a living text in words. Instead what comes through is the incredible manner in which Arshia Sattar to retell these age-old stories but in the true spirit of a storyteller who is herself in sync with the stories. She has made it her own and made it available to a new generation of readers.... Ramayana for Children has been beautifully illustrated with double-page spreads by Sonali Zohra. There is something grungy-funky with the almost wood-cut like impressions that are very appealing. The illustrations complement the text well too.... A magnificent gift for children — to read, to treasure.”

-- Jaya Bhattacharji Rose * Confessions of an Avid Bibliophile *

“As magical as any tale, this breathtaking ancient myth subtly reflects important messages about obedience, loyalty, love, courage, virtue, honor, friendship and what it is to face abandonment. Powerful and exciting in every way, Ramayna is, as it has always been, a story that broadens the reader's understanding of the world and how one should behave righteously as a human.”

-- Kendal Rautzhan * Reading Eagle *

“This volume from Restless Books encapsulates the enormous foundational Indian epic Ramayana in a package written for older children and young adult readers. But it’s accessible for all ages, and many adults ignorant of Indian legends, like me, will find it of interest, as well as visually striking… Sattar captures a number of the epic’s moral lessons, presenting characters as avatars of courage, faithfulness, cruelty, and various kinds of fallibility. She doesn’t gloss over the complexities of the human condition and the contradictions of character that can make life so difficult… Zohra’s magnificent batik-like illustrations marry description and fancy. Dark mouthless masklike faces, ferocious warrior monkeys, terrifying demons, and evocative landscapes create a mystical world teeming with life and color, beauty and terror. They not only add a rich dimension to the story but stand on their own as beautiful works of art.”

-- Jon Sobel * Blogcritics *

“This is a good, exciting retelling of a very old story. If you have wondered who Hanuman and Rama are, here finally is your chance to find out. The story is written so it will be interesting for any age—even younger children will enjoy hearing it read to them…. there is a lot of action! There are some interpersonal interactions that are worth discussing and thinking about too.”

-- Miriam - Age 14 * Kids’ Book Bu