Asura Tales by Anand Neelakantan
As the new year starts, we are excited to create new resolutions and look out for different book challenges. I have also created To Be Read book list with 5 spiritual cum mythological books and flaunted on social media. Just then I got a mail to review Asura Tales by Anand Neelakantan. The author needs no introduction. I am a big fan of him after I watched him talking in the Indian Habitat Centre in 2017. Now I don’t miss any of his online interviews.
I picked up this book as I like this genre and want children to explore it. This is the author’s debut book as a children’s tale. Being a mother, I am totally fascinated to read and share my review with you all.
The cover always attracts you first
Every book that catches a reader’s sight has an appealing cover. I liked the book cover very much designed by Akangksha Sarmah and brilliant illustrations by Subhadeep Roy and Shiladitya Bose.
- It’s different as it’s very colourful. When you touch the cover, the written words are smooth that attracts kids. They like to touch and feel different surfaces.
- The title has many adjectives to the main topic like very, extremely, most, naughty that connect with kid’s learning process. Kids learn new things as they write all similar meaning words together.
- The pages of the book are smooth, colourful, and shaded along with cute illustrations. Each chapter has different colours to denote the next tale.
Now you can even listen to this post
Introduction to Asuras before you start
I liked the idea of introducing Asuras to kids before the tales start. There’s a brief introduction where the author talks about their qualities. He specifies how they are hard-working and believe in meditation to get boons from God. This introduction helps to remove any negative pre-notions we have about asuras.
Every boon of Asuras is to conquer the world. But in the end, God has a way to control them.
Relatable stories that instantly connects
All 6 tales are around children troubling their parents and others in some or the other ways. The author has creatively crafted all stories for future generations that he has heard from his ancestors. His intention is to educate children about our old traditional stories and let them explore the fun of reading books.
Each tale has funny poems that the asuras sing along to irritate all. Children will enjoy singing them together.
Anand Neelakantan as the author
Anand Neelakantan is an Indian author, columnist, screenwriter, television personality and motivational speaker. He has authored eight fiction books in English and one in Malayalam. He had also signed with the producers of Baahubali, the blockbuster film, for a three-book series based on their film. The series will be a prequel to the film.
Anand, born in Thrippunithura Kerala, now lives in Mumbai with his wife and two children. You can find him active on all social channels by the name of itsanandneel and his website too.
I too am a big fan of Anand Neelakantan, Infact when he came to my son’s school I made sure my son bought a copy of his book and got it signed.
I am assuming the book is for ten years and younger?
Yes yes, definitely. My son is 8 years old and he actually enjoyed and recalled one of the stories which he heard from his dadi. You can buy it online easily. Thank you Harshita.