The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha »

This collection of Hindu folktales for middle readers features stories about the god, Ganesha, who is easily recognized because of his elephant head. Krishnaswami introduces the stories by recalling her own introduction to Ganesha and goes on to offer a mythological context for the tales. Included among the tales are Ganesha's Head, The Broken Tusk, and 'Why Ganesha Never Married. Most of the stories come from Hindu legend; one comes from Mongolia, where Ganesha made his way into the Buddhist tradition. The pen-and-ink illustrations have child appeal, and readers will be aided by the pronunciation guide and glossary.

Children's Literature

Ganesha, the elephant headed god, is the perfect choice to introduce Hindu mythology. He is not fearsome. He is fun loving, a god who removes obstacles from people's paths. This wonderful collection comes from the author's recollection of stories from her childhood and subsequent extensive research. The words of the reteller are rich in imagery; her words flow like the Ganga. These tales reveal the pantheon of Hindu gods, provide an understanding for certain rituals, and teach lessons that are valid in all cultures. In addition, there is a pronunciation guide, a partial list of the 108 names Ganesha is known by, an annotated listing of the characters, and source notes. This is a vast mythology, and the author has whetted our appetites for more.