Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship

March 1, 2019

Gr 2-6-In this beginning chapter book, eight short stories inspired by Indian folktales chronicle the adventures of 10-year-old Prince Veera as he gets to know the subjects of his father's small kingdom and has his first lessons in becoming a ruler. The collection, originally published in the U.K. as two books, is augmented by the bold, folk-style art of Krishnaswamy, whose inserts of key characters dappled throughout each short story are emotive and enhance the text. Farmer's son and scholarship student Suku, who is Veera's equal in mischievous tendencies, athletic ability, and surveillance skills, although not in prestige and wealth, is the prince's faithful companion in each escapade. Veera and Suku eavesdrop on the court, listening to the king weigh-in on problems large and small presented by his subjects. When the king becomes too sick to hold court, and again when he travels, he gives the young prince permission to hold a modified version of court in which he only makes decisions on simpler cases. But some cases are far from straightforward. In these tales, Veera settles disputes between neighbors, recovers Suku from servitude to a greedy moneylender, discovers the thief of the king's favorite treat, assists a fugitive from another kingdom, and establishes rules of business between purveyors and customers. Each short story can be read independently, however the first and fifth provide needed background information and character development. VERDICT This collection of short adventures in dispensing justice will make an excellent family and classroom read aloud and is recommended for folktale collections.-Lauren Younger, Nicholson Memorial Library, Garland, TX

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Eight traditional Indian folktales are retold in new, original settings.Prince Veera and his good friend Suku, the farmer's son, enjoy "play[ing] court," following the example of wise King Bheema. When the king is unwell one day, the two 10-year-olds get permission to hear and judge some simple cases. Does the greedy merchant who makes delicious sweets deserve to be paid by the people who smell their intense fragrance? Did the pot that one neighbor gave to another for safekeeping contain jewels or mango pickles? How do you find out how many crows live in the city? The stories stand alone, as Prince Veera and Suku discuss and ponder, ask questions, and roam about while they contemplate their decisions. The text is simple and has some cultural details, giving a peek into traditional Indian life, but offers very little context or background. A notable omission is that no women or girls are included in any of the stories except one. No backmatter is included, no sources are mentioned, and there is no indication of the time period when these stories take place, detracting from the full enjoyment of these retellings. Krishnaswamy's energetic black-and-white spot art offers authentic glimpses of Indian life, with illustrations of people, birds and animals, the marketplace, the countryside, and more.Readers who are familiar with traditional Indian folktales will recognize these well-known stories; readers new to them may enjoy their quiet simplicity and the wisdom of the two young protagonists. (Fiction. 7-10)

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February 1, 2019
Grades 2-4 When King Bheema falls ill one day, Prince Veera and his friend Suku decide to hold court in his absence. They have, after all, been watching and learning from the sidelines. Prince Veera is a playful sort, better with a joke and a trick than with solving the villagers' problems. Fortunately, Suku's wisdom and sense of fairness compensate. Together they dole out justice to a greedy confectioner who wants to charge a poor man for smelling his desserts; outwit a thief; teach a moneylender a lesson about humanity; and more. These original tales are folkloric in style and content, but refreshingly contemporary in tone and form. The messages are of kindness and compassion, and for speaking up when things are unfair. Veera is sometimes cheeky, and his father has a sense of humor. Suku is lower in social rank but holds his own among royalty with poise and confidence. Similarly, the illustrations balance traditional Indian art forms with cartoonlike gestures that will make readers smile.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)