by Timeless Classics from Amar Chitra Katha published by HarperCollins Children’s Books come in a set of 3 books.
The books have around six to seven stories and they are short stories that are independent of each other. The stories do give the feel of an old school of storytelling and it makes for a nostalgic read in terms of themes and presentation.
It is a collection and the story set makes for a good leisure reading experience.
As it is adapted from the original Amar Chitra Katha series, the presentation of the storytelling is traditional and the illustrations even though in black and white add up to the experience.
Fascinating Stories from India, Unusual Fables from India and Amazing Folk Tales from South Asia make for the collection.
Amazing Folk Tales from South Asia have stories from Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan. Under Fascinating Stories from India, one of them is the story titled The Wise Four, a Folk Tale from Maharastra.
Here is a short excerpt of the story.
” Your Majesty, the rains have been wreaking havoc for a few days now. We must prepare just in case the river overflows and there are floods”, said Ramabai (one of the four wise ministers in the kingdom), looking worried.
“That’s good thinking. Let’s stock up the granary with food and water at the earliest,” ordered King Veerasena
“Very well, Your majesty. It shall be arranged.” replied Adinath (one more wise minister in the kingdom) dutifully.
The font size and spacing is good for a 6-10 year old to read at comfort and ease. The stories are simple and are set in earlier time zones that do give the feel of folktales from India and elsewhere.
Mums and Stories recommends the collection and gives it 4 on 5
Here is a short video review too of the Collection
These used to be one of my few favourites. When i was a kid We were banned from reading story books and novels. I lived with my aunt and she was one from a generation where academic books were the only books considered worth reading. I used to read Amar chitra katha and tinkle at school. We never dared bring these books back home. It was taboo. Then when iw as 26 or something i happened to see these books in crossword in baroda, gujarat where i lived then. I remember buying almost 10-15 books of amar chitra katha. I was married early and my wife who is elder to me thought i was crazy to buy comics then. I finished all of them n one sitting. i passed on those books to my niece. I have no clue what happened to it after that. But those books are a charm and can light you up from inside. i recommend every kid reads it.