Reviews for A sliver of moon and a shard of truth : stories from India

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From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

The longevity of folktales lies in their capacity to continue to impart insights about the human condition. So it is with the latest from acclaimed storyteller Soundar, in which she recalls tales from her childhood in India and retells them with a crisp, modern flavor. Prince Veera and his friend Suku are an unusual pair, as one is royalty and the other a farmer, but their friendship is sanctioned by Veera’s father, the king, so they are allowed privileges that would otherwise be frowned upon. One such privilege involves holding a mock court where they solve problems, which is usually the work of royalty alone. Veera and Suku are smart, witty, and keen observers of human traits. On a trip to Veera’s uncle’s kingdom, their bond and skills are put to the test in a new environment. Together, they solve matters of ego, deceit, domestic misunderstandings, and more. Often the scenarios involve cooling the fiery temper of the king, who is too easily incensed. Fairness, patience, honesty, and goodness prevail in all situations. An entertaining, expressive read-aloud.


Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

India’s lively wisdom tales retold, starring two quick-witted boys. As in Soundar and Krishnaswamy’s Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship (2018), these linked stories feature a down-to-earth prince, Veera, and his best friend, Suku, a farmer’s son. Visiting Prince Veera’s rash granduncle’s kingdom, they solve mysteries, decode puzzles, expose charlatans, and defeat wickedness with ingenuity. The writing flows, the boys are wisecracking, and the tales celebrate shrewdness, friendship despite differences in social status, Solomonic insight, and fairness. It helps that the adversaries are given to excess and not too bright. Black-and-white vignettes flavor the pages in a naïve style appropriate to the stories, which, though they borrow heavily from folk tradition, are likely to be new to many readers. Names and some details—e.g., the game kabaddi—may be unfamiliar, but most things need no translation, like the adage, “Hasty elephants fall into the pit.” A good prince, Veera knows that justice must be “based on truth and fact,” and these reimagined trickster tales offer more than a shard of the former. Lighthearted, brief tales of common sense, virtue, and valor, perfect for reading aloud. (author’s note) (Fiction. 6-12) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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