4.5 Stars

As the title suggests, the book is a collection of Panchatantra tales from ancient India. These were written in Sanskrit and translated into several languages over the years. There are countless interpretations, retellings, and versions of each story. 

I knew I had to check this out the moment I saw the book. Just look at that cover! I’ve heard of the author, though I’ve yet to read her poems. This book has ten stories retold for the little ones (3+ age group, according to the publisher). 

The stories are pretty much short, crisp, and cute. We have a small introduction note by the author, followed by the stories. I like how the author’s voice continues throughout the book. She begins and ends each story by addressing the readers. This approach works in taking the content closer to the kids, especially if they read the book on their own. 

The writing is simple and has a touch of humor and poetic style. A few words may be hard for three-year-olds. However, since adults will anyway have to read the tales aloud, they can explain the meanings. Another aspect I like is the little tweaks to the storyline to make the content kid-friendly. No deaths, beatings, or broken bones in this one. 

Each story ends with a couple of lines introspecting on the moral and how it would help us. This is done without sounding preachy. There’s just enough for kids to ponder upon and adults to continue a discussion on the theme if they want to. The main characters have cute names, too! 

How can I not mention the illustrations? Illustrations are the main reason I request children’s books. This one nails them. The color combinations are perfect! From earthy browns and oranges to waves in sapphire and jade and the violet streaks of a night inside a jungle, every shade seamlessly blends with the other. The animals and birds look just as lovely, with their expressions matching the story on the page. 

The font size is decent, but I read it on the computer and used zoom. The physical copy would be a much better choice due to the color scheme and the text placed on dark backgrounds on some pages. Also, these illustrations deserve to be enjoyed as a physical book. 

To summarize, Animal Tales from India is a beautiful and compact collection of ten Panchatantra tales for kids. Though the book ends with a good night note, it can be read at any time. (I wish the book included the illustrator’s note too.) 

Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

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