Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths and Legends of India

By Madhur Jaffrey and Michael Foreman

Book Overview

A vibrant collection of Indian myths and legends illustrated in beautiful watercolors and told by one of India's sparkling personalities, Madhur Jaffrey.

Seasons of Splendour is a richly illustrated treasury of stories about Indian gods and goddesses, kings and queens, princes and demons. Here are engaging and beautifully told tales of Krishna, Ram, and Sita, stories based on the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as others of ancient origin with no known source. When the author, Madhur Jaffrey, was a young girl growing up in her grandfather's house in Delhi, storytelling was an integral part of life. After dinner, she would huddle with her cousins and siblings around a seated aunt, grandmother, or mother and listen. This collection contains those enduring stories, each one introduced by a vivid childhood memory or humorous anecdote and arranged in the sequence they were told, in conjunction with religious festivals throughout the Hindu calendar year. From April to April, here is a year's worth of tales, myths, and legends, a cycle of stories to read aloud, illustrated in full color with Michael Foreman's sumptuous watercolor paintings. Also included is a Who is Who and What is What glossary and English pronunciation guide for curious young readers.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1681377047
• ISBN13: 9781681377049
• Release Date: October 2022
• Publisher: New York Review of Books
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.0" x 10.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Delectable meals described, beautiful illustrations

I wholeheartedly disagree with the person that suggested that this book is only for very small children. This book is a wonderful "insiders" look at North Indian/Hindu culture, focusing particularly on the major religious narratives, festivals, and the culinary rituals surrounding them. I grew up with this book (I'm 26 now) and periodically I sit down with it and re-read it because it is such a delight. The images of Madhur Jaffrey throwing chickpeas into the fire to roast them and scooping them out and eating them too quickly and scorching her mouth and fingers in her eagerness is just one of the delightful little moments of her childhood; the way she describes Holi (the paint-throwing day in India) is charming; and I will never forget how she describes her mother and sisters cooking fritters and sweet breads and other delicacies early in the morning before a fast, to tide them over for the rest of the day. The anecdotes are always beautifully linked in some way to the religious narratives, and it's a great way to gain access and insight into stories that might otherwise feel quite alien. I highly recommend the book for parents who'd like to share with their children some non-western folktales/fairy tales, or for anyone who's interested in learning a little bit more about what it must have been like to grow up in India a generation ago.

A great book for children!

Seasons of Splendor by Michal R. is a really great book because it has Indian tales. Two of my favorite tales in this book have my favorite characters: Lakshmi and the Cleaver Washer Woman the characters in that tale are: Lakshmi the king, and the cleaver washerwoman. The second tale is called How Ganesh got his elephant head the characters in that tale are Parvati, Shiva, and Gnash the baby. It has Indian tales. The pictures explain part of the story. One of the tales are How Ram killed the devil king Ravan. The picture of Prahlad falling of the mountain shows as he lands without getting hurt. You might like these old myths and tales from India. My favorite myth is called How Ganesh got his elephant head. You should read it to learn about Indian things.

A delightful book for both children and adults!

I admit it, I didn't read this book to a child...it was for me. The stories are enchanting, well-written and beautifully illustrated. Hindu mythology is very complex, but in this book the stories are clearly told. I especially liked the "personal touch" where the author has sprinkled in her own experiences and what the stories mean to her. The joint family system she grew up in was nostalgic for me (I also grew up in such a family) and would help explain this lifestyle to those unfamiliar with it. To sum up: a fascinating collection of stories and the pictures are pure eye-candy. I highly recommend this book.

Pure Enchantment

So good a read-aloud book that it can be a life-long bonding experience for parent & child. A collection of indian stories soo good they've been around for 4000 years. They delight, enchant, inspire. Vibrant courage & valor! Big laughs! Illustrations are spectacular! A MUST!

Great myths,legends, & tales

I give this book an A+++++++!! This book has/is: -great morals -explained well -descriptive -beautifully drawn pictures I recommend this book for ages 7+up Once again this book is great for kids and adults!!!!!!