Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India

Beauty and intelligence were the princess Savitri’s, and eyes that shone like the sun. So splendid was she that people thought her a goddess. When at last she found a man worthy to wed her, no one could sway her from her heart’s path — not even the god of death.

This lovely retelling presents a classic tale of devotion, courage, wit, and will from India’s national epic, The Mahabharata.

TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS — A READER’S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON’S BOOK “FOLKTALES ON STAGE,” OR FREE ON AARON’S WEB SITE.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////

Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of “The Baker’s Dozen,” “The Sea King’s Daughter,” “The Adventures of Mouse Deer,” and many more children’s books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader’s theater.

Vera Rosenberry, a prolific children’s book illustrator and author, was born in the U.S. but now lives in the U.K. She was especially interested in illustrating this book because her husband is from India and grew up with tales from The Mahabharata.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////

1997 & 2000 California Collection Selection (California Readers)

“Unique and noteworthy. . . . Shepard breathes new life into the sleeping archetype of the Indian heroine. Like ancient heroic myth, [Shepard’s interpretation] renews deep strains of potential within the reader.” — Publishers Weekly, Mar. 9, 1992

“A smooth retelling.” — Kirkus Reviews, Feb. 1, 1992

“Delicately rendered in both adaptation and illustration. . . . A book that will open children’s eyes and ears to an unfamiliar lore, and provide rich contrast to Western parallels.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Feb. 1992

“Profoundly moving.” — Children’s Bookwatch, July 1992

“Will enhance the social studies curriculum.” — Children’s Book Review Service, July 1992

“Reads aloud very well. . . . Readers will enjoy the perspicacity and tenacity of this feisty heroine [and] be fascinated by the uniquely Indian cultural details.” — School Library Journal, May 1992

“Portrays a woman of great intelligence and courage, as well as virtue. . . . The story and pictures show great sensitivity to Hindu lore and culture.” — Deva and Gayatri Rajan, Hinduism Today

“Powerfully told, with a magic all its own. Savitri’s purity of spirit will touch the hearts of all readers, young and old.” — Meera Lester, India West, Sept. 25, 1992

“A sure candidate for the [California] 6th-grade ancient cultures unit.” — BayViews (Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California), Dec. 1992

“Rich and empowering.” — Rebecca Myers, A. B. Bookman’s Weekly, Nov. 9, 1992

“Fresh and respectful. . . . Could be useful as an introduction to Indian classics for young adult readers, in a course on ancient cultures, or in any broad-based collection.” — Fran Stallings, Territorial Tattler, Fall 1993

“Powerful.” — Elaine Weischedel, Lanes Museletter, June 1993

“Shepard writes with an ear for the spoken word.” — The Story Bag Newsletter, Apr.-May 1994

“Looking for a painless dose of Hindu mythology? Here it is, with beautiful illustrations to boot.” — Ours (Adoptive Families of America), July-Aug. 1993

“A lyrical retelling of a beloved Indian tale. Savitri offers vivid and exotic details that make it uniquely memorable.” — Wendy E. Betts, Notes from the Windowsill, Vol. 2, No. 144