A Jar of Pickles and a Pinch of Justice

by Chitra Soundar, Uma Krishnaswamy (Illustrator)

Prince Veera and his best friend, Suku, are left in charge of King Beema's court when the king goes off on a hunting trip. Each day the king's subjects come before the boys with their problems and petty disagreements. Can Veera and Suku settle the dispute between the man who sells a well - but not the water in it - to his neighbour? Or solve the mystery of the jewels that have turned into pickles? And what about the old washerwoman who is set the task of washing the king's elephants until they turn white?

These clever, funny trickster tales, full of humour and colour, are sure to delight.

Genres: India, Adventure

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2016

About the author

Chitra Soundar is originally from the culturally colourful India where traditions, festivals and mythology are a way of life. After six great years in the island city-state Singapore, Chitra now lives in London.

Chitra's primary interest is in writing picture books and early & emergent readers. She enjoys retelling funny folktales from around the world, especially from India.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this volume. When beginning the journey of raising two bicultural children, I was presented with copies of Jataka Tales and some other classics from many Indian childhoods. I went from hopeful, to discouraged. While the stories themselves are ripe for young imaginations, the standard print versions tended to founder from a lack of imagination in presentation and clunky storytelling. Many newer versions had the same problem, just with different (sometimes unpleasant) illustration styles. Sanjay Patel's work likely raised my expectations far above where they should reasonably lie.

Thankfully, Soundar and Krishnaswamy have found a happy medium in their tales of Prince Veera, Suku, and King Bheema. My children are at a ripe age to discuss the essentials of fairness, lasting friendship, leadership, and trust. The tales made for great bedtime reading. There were giggles, questions, wrapt silences: everything a parent wants in a good bedtime read.

[Katie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

These four short stories revolving around the adventures of Prince Veera and his trusted friend Suku are a quick, easy read that are very naturally read. The boys use their wisdom and intellect to solve the problems brought to the King's court by the people of the kingdom. The stories could be explored in a PSHE context through discussing what the children might do if faced with these issues leading on to discussing issues they might have with friends or neighbours in real life and how they might solve these issues.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

These four short stories are all bound by the encounters which Prince Veera and his best friend, Suku experience. Whilst the king is away, both boys are left with the duties of dealing with the problems brought to the court by the people of the kingdom. Both boys use their wit and wisdom to sort out each dilemma and is a wonderful mirror into Indian culture and folklore. Soundar has a lovely rhythm to her writing in which moments read so naturally.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely little book with traditional Indian tales.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Veera and Suku are wise. My 3rd grade students and I enjoyed reading of their experiences.

[Vinamrata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of them are retellings of Birbal stories.

[Caren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trickster stories.