Member Reviews

I thought that this book - The Ramayana by Sunita Shah and Rishi Handa was brilliant.

This is a really great book that tells the story of Lord Rama and some of his many epic adventures, as well as the different lessons that are learnt along the way. The book teaches about being kind, brave, strong and patient as well as fighting for your beliefs and family.

The book is written for children and it is toned to made it easy for them as well. I love books like this and as an adult I enjoyed the story too.

The illustrations are spot on for the book too and really work well to bring it all to life - it is very well done and brings this hero's story to a new generation of readers

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

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The Ramayana was part of my school curriculum when I was 11. It was a fantastic travel, the discovery of another culture and a great story.
This is a retelling for young people and i think it would be the way to introduce children to this great epic story
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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A beautiful introduction to an age-old epic that imparts valuable life lessons. This retelling of Lord Rama's journey is masterfully simplified for children, making it accessible and engaging for young readers of all backgrounds. The book not only tells an enchanting story but also teaches important values like duty, devotion, bravery, and togetherness. The illustrations add a modern and mystical touch, making it even more captivating. With the combined expertise of the authors in education, this adaptation of the Ramayana is a fantastic resource for children to learn about this timeless tale and its enduring wisdom.

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Hey, have you heard about The Ramayana by Sunita Shah and Rishi Handa? It's this amazing book that tells the coolest story about Lord Rama, his epic adventures, and all the lessons he learned along the way. I'm telling you, it's not just any story; it's a super important one that teaches us about being brave, kind, and doing what's right. What's even better is that this book is made just for kids like us, and it's super easy to understand. The pictures are so cool, and the authors make it all come to life. If you want to know about an epic hero and his incredible journey, you've got to read this book. Trust me, it's awesome!

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3.7 Stars

Ramayana for kiddos is not a new concept. I grew up reading the condensed versions of the epic, so when I saw this on NG, I knew I had to see which version is available to today’s kids.
I’m glad to say that this one pretty much retains the essence of the original, even though the finer elements had to be sacrificed, considering the target age group.
The text is easy enough to read, though having an adult read the book to children would be a better option. That would make space for discussions, which are necessary for kids to understand the intricacies of an epic (I’ve noticed how some people support Ravana just because their parents told them to respect Rama and not ask any questions. They don’t even realize they are supporting a rapist, but that’s what happens when we don’t encourage positive discussions).
Anyhoo, back to the book. The story should work well to provide a gist of the epic and provide an introduction to the main characters. The illustrations inspire mixed emotions. I’m not sure, but they seem computer-based. The blurb specifies the illustrations have been made for the modern readers, which is why we have demons looking more like trolls.
Rama is blue and has quite a physique. Sita, however, looks weak (like a recovering patient) rather than pretty. A couple of pages reminded me of the movie Adipurush (this is Not a compliment). But since this book came first and has a teeny-weeny budget compared to the 600-crore-worth headache, I can be a little forgiving. Still, I’m not a fan of these illustrations.
A minor correction is that Rama’s arrow doesn’t hit Ravana’s heart. Ravana’s life is hidden in his tummy. However, the rules of war meant Rama couldn’t aim his arrow at Ravana’s stomach. So, Hanuman prayed to his father, Vayu Deva (the wind god), to redirect Rama’s arrow to kill Ravana.

To summarize, The Ramayana from The Jai Jais’ Legends Series is a decent attempt at retelling the Hindu epic for today’s young audience.
Thank you, NetGalley and Independent Publishing Network, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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