Ganesha's Great Race

August 1, 2023
Haynes and Patel retell the story of Ganesha and Kartikeya's race around the world. Divine siblings Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of beginnings, and Kartikeya, the god of war, find a mango that they are unable to share. Their parents, the god Shiva and the goddess Parvati, explain that because the family received the mango from the gods, it has magical properties. Notably, it can only be eaten by someone who wins it in a competition. Delighted, the athletic Kartikeya suggests that the two brothers compete by racing around the world. Ganesha, who is no physical match for his brother, tries to change his sibling's mind. The tactic backfires: Shiva, overhearing the conversation, declares that the two boys should circle the Earth three times instead of just once. While Kartikeya eagerly jets into orbit, Ganesha decides to do what he does best and uses his brain instead of his body. Ganesha is sure he is going to lose until the last minute, when a revelation from the Vedas--Hinduism's holy scriptures--gives him the solution he needs. This version of a popular Hindu tale is witty, clever, and entertaining, focusing on the story rather than the moral. Ganesha is an endearing hero, and laudably, the vibrant, quirky illustrations, full of geometric shapes and eye-catching patterns, include dark-skinned versions of the gods. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A charming interpretation of a Hindu myth. (Picture book. 4-7)

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August 1, 2023

K-Gr 3-The Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati live on the tallest mountain in India and have two sons. The eldest is Kartikeya, the god of war, and the youngest is Ganesha, who is known as the god of beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles. As one would expect, the brothers play with one another, but also fight and compete. One day, the two happen upon a huge mango that is magical; their parents explain that it can't be shared but has to be won. Kartikeya challenges Ganesha to a race around the world and immediately jumps on his magical peacock and is off. After much brainstorming, procrastinating, and finally tears, Ganesha confides in his father that he knows he will be unable to beat Kartikeya. Shiva reminds Ganesha that he isn't known as the Remover of Obstacles for nothing, and soon the young god realizes that his "world" is not the Earth, but instead his two parents. He quickly runs around them and is declared the winner. After initially being outraged, Kartikeya's good humor is restored, and he acknowledges that this time "the mind is mightier than muscle." There is humor peppered throughout, and children will relate to the sibling rivalry and the frustration Ganesha feels when he can't figure out how to win the competition. While the text is more verbose than many picture books, the range of vocabulary words and the accessibility of this Hindu legend more than make up for it. VERDICT Another beautifully illustrated book on the Hindu gods by Patel and Haynes (Ganesha's Sweet Tooth) that is gorgeously rendered with warm colors and adorable facial expressions on the young gods. Recommended for purchase. -Amy Nolan

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