Prince of Fire: The Story of Diwali
by Jatinder Nath Verma (Author) Nilesh Mistry (Illustrator)
Retells the Hindu tale of a heroic prince and his bride who are separated by the demon prince Ravana until the Monkey Army of Hanuman, god of the wind, helps them. Includes facts about Divaali, the festival celebrating Rama and Sita's return to their kingdom.
Who can defeat the demon king of Lanka and return light to the world? Only Rama, the Prince of Fire, and his friends can save the day in this gripping illustrated chapter book. A faithful but fresh adaptation of the Ramayana, India's unforgettable epic, Prince of Fire is both the perfect introduction to and retelling of the story of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
From cover to cover, nonstop action, courageous heroes and a dastardly villain will keep boys and girls alike on the edge of their seats.
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Kirkus Reviews
One of the world’s essential texts, presented in an accessible manner.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-6—Verma's version of The Ramayana is action-packed and full of drama, with princes, stepmothers, demons, and gods. The King has three sons born from different mothers. King Dashratha's second wife deceives the King into promising to banish his eldest son, Rama, from the kingdom for 14 years in order to protect Bharata (her child and the King's middle son) on his path to the throne. Not wanting to cause trouble for the King, Rama, along with his beautiful wife, Sita, and youngest brother, Lakshmana, sets off on a journey full of adventure. The short chapter book is filled with vibrant, full-color illustrations. It ends with the festival of Diwali, when Rama and Sita finally return home. VERDICT A solid, condensed retelling of a popular Hindu epic.—Vivian Ho, Port Washington Public Library, NY
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Jatinder Verma was born in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. At the age of 14, he moved with his family to the UK as part of the Kenyan Exodus. An acclaimed playwright, Jatinder is Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Tara Arts, the first Asian Theatre Company in the UK. Based in south London, the company opened its newly renovated premises as a dedicated national home for small-scale multicultural productions in 2016. Its work has been described by Sir Richard Eyre as "a terrific synthesis of east and west."
Nilesh Mistry was born in Bombay and moved to London in 1975. He studied Illustration at Harrow School of Art and Central St. Martin's School of Art. His work combines a strong foundation in figurative drawing with a fascination for pattern, form and contrast. He has been published extensively, and is also sought after as a portrait artist, product designer and decorative sculptor. Nilesh lives in London, England.
India
Divali
Raama (Hindu deity)
Saitaa (Hindu deity)
