A Sliver of Moon and a Shard of Truth

Chitra Soundar’s Stories from India

by Chitra Soundar, Uma Krishnaswamy (illustrator)

Prince Veera's great-uncle, Raja Apoorva, invites the prince and his best friend, Suku, to the summer festival in Peetalpur, where they participate in some of the competitions. Can they make the peahen sing, though peahens can't sing? Or win the painting competition, or even defeat the country's champion wrestler? The boys face each challenge with great wit and wisdom. Back at the palace, they are faced with more challenges. Raja Apoorva enjoys puzzles and presents several to the boys: who was the intruder who dared to pull the Raja's beard? How can the journey to the seaside be shortened? And at court it's Prince Veera and Suku who will decide which neighbour owns the tree that produces the wonderful figs for the palace, as well as solve the mysteries of the holy man and the astronomer. Four stories packed with clever and amusing tricks and puzzles which will delight children from 6 to 8 – and well beyond.

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Folklore, Humor, Juvenile, India

112 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2021

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]

3.5*

[Joanna Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to girls for middle ages India, it's cute. Interestingly, No Figs for an Unholy Saint is very similar to Solomon's decision on the baby claimed by two mothers.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd in the series of traditional tales involving Prince Veera and his best friend, Suku sees them both spend time in Peetalpur. There they are invited to stay at the court of King Apoorva whose volatile nature and quick temper lands his people and himself in a lot of trouble. Fortunately, the wit and wisdom of the two boys is there to save him from disrepute and pull the kingdom out of trouble.

Although part of a series, A Sliver can easily be read as a standalone. Soundar's writing style is so accessible and true to the traditional tale format with problem-solving and wiliness being key to the narrative over long, sweeping descriptive sentences. One element that she does add and make her own is the inclusion of traditional, native foods which will leave you both curious and salivating! Finally, it is worth mentioning Krishnaswamy's lovely stylised illustrations that run throughout the stories.

That threading of older, traditional stories from India into a slightly more modern format works perfectly and I love finding out how the boys will use their heads to resolve conflicts. Another lovely addition to the Prince Veers and Suku canon.

[Kim Childress · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love witty humor, especially in short stories. Four wry new trickster tales from the creators of Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship draw on Hindu mythology and the rich tradition of Indian folktales. Fully satisfying and uplifting, the tales feature two clever characters, who have been noted to compete at the summer festival in Peetalpur. Prince Veera and Suku are excited to compete in the games and must perform “feats,” but Raja Apoorva’s riddles prove the ultimate test of the boys’ wit. Snappy dialog and brilliant banter make this book an excellent read-aloud. Excellent classroom potential, great for lovers of short stories, folk tales, and trickster tales, with crossover appeal for younger and older readers.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful book of short stories from the team who brought us Mangoes, Mischief and Tales of Friendship. Four short original tales about the problem solving duo Prince Veera and his best friend Suku, a farmer’s son, show how even the wiliest, greediest or angriest adults can be appeased by common sense or cleverness. The boys venture to the summer festival near Prince Veera’s great-uncle’s palace and solve tricky problems involving making a peahen sing, and even win a bout with a champion wrestler. The stories are gentle and funny, the boys are brave and kind, and the atmosphere of old India is so nicely evoked by the charming black and white drawings.

[J.D. Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the second in a series, but readers do not need to have read the first to enjoy it.

Prince Veera and his friend Suku travel to another country, ruled by the prince's grand-uncle. Their visit there is broken into several short stories, which are adaptations of folklore and fairy tales. Astute readers might even identify one from the Bible.

This is geared for lower elementary readers, with large print, short chapters (and overall length), and illustrations dispersed within the text.

It's a nice book, and I hope it pleases its intended readers.

[Veronica]

This is a simple, light-hearted collection of stories about two boys in India: Prince Peeva and Suku. Although from different backgrounds, the boys work together to solve different dilemmas, including mysterious burglaries and disputes about fig trees. This book would be enjoyed by Years 2 and 3, with its simple language and engaging short chapters.

[Gail DiVico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read of folktales from India (Hindu mythology). Four stories are included here surrounding Prince Veera and his good friend, Suku, who is not royalty but is allowed to join in on the fun and festivities. In this book, it takes place at a summer festival in Peetalpur, where they find themselves in various competitions. Great reading for all ages!

[Asha KRISHNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. My son and I loved reading it together and then he went to re-read them again.
Very well crafted stories, that educate and entertain. Highly recommended!

Read my full review at http://onerightword.blogspot.com/2021...

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting storytelling with traditional morals in the folklore way

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traditional tales from India that were enjoyable and fun!

[Gecko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love Prince Veera and Suku and I wish they’d help solve our problems.

[Gladimore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trickster style tales from India.
Good stories.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this collection of Indian stories based on an oral tradition

[Alina Karapandzich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and fun

[Amber Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s cute. A young kid (about 4-6 years old) would probably like it.

[Mary Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the series Prince Veera and Suka, these four stories are filled with lots of trickster action, amusing intrigue and puzzles, bound together in Indian folk tales and culture. The black & white illustrations scattered through on page after page add charm and authenticity, while the stories themselves sing with drama (in the best way), surprise and wisdom. Entertaining, genuine, and utterly wonderful. This book is a little treasure. (ages 6 and well beyond)