This is a beautiful story of wit, problem solving, and patience. Kamala used her skills to get to her main goal. Selling her honey!

I always love this kind of folk tales, one that I haven't heard before. This is the story of a heroine, who is smart and courageous. She manages to solve her own problems without any help, a proof that women are capable to defeat their own problems by themselves. A great encouragement for kids, mostly for female ones, that we are not that weak.

Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing an e-ARC to read and review. The illustrations in this book are incredible, and they make the entire book a vibrant and rich reading experience. I also enjoyed the author's note about flipping a classic folktale so that a female lead is responsible for her own accomplishments and success, while retaining the story's place in history.

What I'm a bit torn about though is that at the end of the tale, the book focuses on using the events of the story as direct inspiration for kids/readers getting themselves out of their own conundrums. The questions ask readers to reflect on moments in the story that they could relate to. Which of course, is so wonderful as a post-reading reflection task, but the story itself is very much about tricking others (in this case, seven thieves) into doing work that nobody else has the resources to do. It's one thing for that to be part of the original story itself (there's a reason this tale has been passed on for generations - it makes you reflect on your motivations and consider them in a space alongside others') and another for it to be inspiration to manipulate others into doing things for your work and sitting back to admire your own resourcefulness and cleverness.

A taste of honey is a charming retelling of a traditional South Asian folktale. With beautiful, rich illustrations to complement the story and bonus content at both the front and back of the book this is definitely one I would recommend for the bookshelf.

The story follows Kamala, a bee keeper, who using her quick wit and a little bit of trickery outsmarts the local villains who are trying to sabotage her business. Overall this is an enjoyable story helping children to understand the importance of resilience and problem solving.

Firstly, let me thanks the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the digital copy of this wonderful book. I loved it. The art work is gorgeous and colorful and very detailed. As for the story, it was lovely and clever and brilliantly told.

I was fortunate enough to review A Taste of Honey on NetGalley. I love folktales and this one didn't disappoint. The story is perfectly complimented by the beautiful and lively illustrations. The story of Kamala and her honey business is both appealing and educational. I can see the story being used in classrooms given the wealth of materials added to the tale. The ideas offered are extremely interactive and well presented. The story alone without the materials would have been enough of a draw. The message is clear and important.

Thank you, Storey Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

I find the folktale quite funny and witty. And moreover, it has a witty female main protagonist for the plot.

The artwork is outstanding. For the ones who grew up reading/listening to folktales in Indian and its neighbouring countries, this storybook will bring back the memorable childhood times. Nostalgic indeed.

It's fun. It's beautiful inside out.

Totally recommending the book.

A wonderful retelling of this traditional folktale with beautiful illustrations. Readers young and old will enjoy this book.

This book was very conflicting for me. It was beautifully illustrated and engaging, and with the extra interesting of being an unusual story from a different culture. The characters where strong and the activities at the end where engaging. However, I did not enjoy the “message” the text sent about trickery and manipulation. The message may be confusing to children, but it is an interesting tale nonetheless.

Struck by the art, heart, and humor of this book! I read the author's note towards the end, and I liked how she explained why she made the choice of changing some of the elements of the folktale not only to make it more current but also to send stronger, more important messages such as in battling different kinds of stereotyping. I'd love to have a print edition!

I noticed this book for two reasons - the stunning illustrations and the premise in which a self-reliant woman solves her problems without outside help. I felt that this message was an important one and I wanted to see how it was presented in this story.
I love old myths and legends so the fact that this was a retelling of South Asian folktale was another plus. Kamala turned out to be a strong character, smart and caring, but also with a sense of humour and deviousness when she tricked the thieves.
I liked how the author explained the changes she's made to the story and why. Also, the back material is great to use when reading the story to children, either at home or in a classroom, to get them to think critically about the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book that really brings this Indian folklore to life.
My only issue with this tile is that the Kamala uses a lot of trickery as a means to an end.

I do however love the questions and activities at the end of the book. It is the kind of questions I asked my son to make sure he understood the story and to also help him think deeper about the morals in the story.

A Taste of Honey is a retelling of a folktale from India and Pakistan. In it, a woman called Kamala begs the king to help her make money and tricks thieves into doing the hard work for her and keeps them away from the money she has made.

The book is beautifully illustrated and is rich and vibrant with the use of colours and will go down a treat with young children.

My main issue is the moral of the story. Neither Kamala or the thieves are nice people. They trick people for their own gain and neither are sorry for it or see themselves as doing anything wrong.

I thought this book was so cute! I enjoyed the main character and her ability to outsmart her enemies. She doesn’t accept defeat and is constantly problem-solving. One of the best things about this book is the number of activities in the back of the book. They’re all so different so that no matter what your child likes, they can find an activity they enjoy. The critical thinking questions make kids stop to really understand what took place in the book and break it down.
I will say that there was some text error while I was reading. Some words were lighter than others and out of order. I was able to decipher the book though. I don't know if it was my kindle or the file.

This is a lovely folk tale with beautiful coloured illustrations. I enjoyed the story which was simple but entertaining. The story of an honest person outwitting those who are dishonest makes for a fun story. There are loads of options for different activities that can be done by children after reading the story - these would be particularly good for a teacher using this book with a class, as well as children trying some of these at home.

Very interesting use of front and back matter. The explanation of what folk tales are, and after the story, numerous activities and talking points.
A really interesting take on a picture book which offers a really good educational twist.
I’m not sure that all readers will be too pleased about the use of trickery, it’s one for the ‘villains’ to use it and be met with consequences but the main character also uses trickery to fool the villains into helping her and to send them on their way.
Amazing work from the illustrators!

The story from an old Indian folktale about Kamala, a young woman who keeps beehives and sells honey in the local market. When her business is not doing well, Kamala searching for help from her King. He then gave Kamala a land to rescue her business from falling down.

Unfortunately her plan was sabotaged by seven thieves. Sounds like hard enough huh? The funny part was Kamala outsmarts the greedy thieves by claimed the land has a gold.
That's exciting!

Thanks to the NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc inexchange an honest review.

Check it out on July 5th 2022 for the publication date!

I gave 5 ⭐

I'm honestly a little mixed about this one. To start, it's BEAUTIFULLY illustrated - the style, the colors, even the front and back matter is wonderful.

I have no real complaints about the writing. It was fine though no lines leapt out at me in any way. The story was a bit of a letdown for me for two reasons: 1) Our protagonist uses trickery to get her way (and we're supposed to cheer along because she's tricking "thieves"); 2) The trickery never feels clever or like good-natured craftiness. It's more just a means to an end (she literally lures the 'thieves'...twice). It's really like lies and manipulation.

I don't think that' s a message I would want put out in the world...despite the VERY beautiful artwork.

3/5 - Because I keep flipping between 2/5 and 3.5/5.

A Taste of Honey is based on a traditional Pakistani folktale. The illustrations are very rich and colorful, and I found the story to be enjoyable overall. I will always appreciate a clever female main character! I also appreciate the extra pages found at the end of the book that contains critical thinking questions and ideas for further activities.

Thank you <i> Netgalley </i> and <i> Storey Publishing </i> for giving me an arc of this book in exchange of an honest review.

As an adult, it is not often that I enjoy children's books. However, I actually loved it. The way the story begins with Kamala, as an independent young girl helping her father and then outwitting the thieves, I must say the storyline is very catchy. The best thing about this book is even though it is a bit educational it never BORES YOU.
Honestly, I liked how well plotted it is. Moreover, I loved the SOUTH ASIAN REPRESENTATION throughout the illustrations of this book, the illustrations are gorgeous! Though I have never heard of this folktale before as I am neither from India nor Pakistan, I felt represented by the clothings, bazaar etc. portrayed there. To make long story short, I loved it and I think children will enjoy it.