How and Why Tales by Geeta Ramanujam – beautiful and imaginative collection of folktales

How and Why Tales is a beautiful, heartwarming, and imaginative collection of folktales with important messages for readers of all ages.

Synopsis

Why do nightingales sing at night?
How did the Moon get its craters?
Why did the Great Bear become a constellation?

Do you ever wonder about these questions? If you find yourself intrigued by the universe, then this book of folk tales is for you!

Delight in these richly illustrated stories as you explore the magical mysteries of nature and traverse distant lands, such as the Pamir Knot, the Ottoman Empire in Turkey and the icy expanse of Greenland.

Curated by Geeta Ramanujam, these enchanting tales not only draw from diverse traditions but also feature her own unique stories. An imaginative exploration, this collection of eighteen tales invites you to discover folk tales and trivia from around the world.

Review

How and Why Tales is a captivating collection of illustrated, imaginative folktales, thoughtfully compiled from existing myths and stories across diverse cultures, set in various countries and time periods.

As the title suggests, the book features a series of “How and Why” tales, each story uniquely titled with a question—How did storytelling evolve?, Why do cockroaches die on their backs?, How did the tides come to be?—arousing the reader’s curiosity and inviting them to discover the answers within the narrative.

I particularly enjoyed how the author begins each story with an introduction that provides context about the tale’s origin before seamlessly transitioning into the story itself. Every tale is rich with meaningful messages, offering valuable lessons for readers of all ages. The illustrations accompanying each story are beautifully done, and I appreciated the little facts included at the end of each tale.

My favorite tales were –

How Did Storytelling Evolve– The opening tale sets a high standard for the rest of the book. It was fascinating to read about how Crow learned stories from Grandfather Stone and spread them across the world.

Why Do Cockroaches Die On Their Backs– This story intrigued me, as I had often wondered about this as a child. While I’m not fond of cockroaches, the tale was surprisingly heartwarming, offering a new perspective on this insect. Although I still dislike them, I now will think twice before killing one.

How Khinch and Khench Found a Home, is a touching story set in Turkey about two blades, Khinch and Khench, born in a barber’s shop, who later become inseparable through the invention of scissors. I loved the theme of friendship and their perseverance to find a purpose with a human.

How the Ostrich Lost His Ability to Fly, conveys a powerful message about the importance of trusting friends.

Why Do Nightingales Sing At Night, tells the poignant story of a nightingale named Ambition, who loses his wife, Love, and child, Hope, in his quest for curiosity and passion. Now filled with grief and remorse, he sings his lament at night.

I was also moved by the tale How the Moon Got Her Craters, which beautifully portrays a daughter’s love for her mother and the theme of finding beauty in imperfection and seeing beauty with one’s heart. The collection concludes brilliantly with Why Does the Clock Cover His Face, a story about the burden of time.

Overall, How and Why Tales is a beautiful, heartwarming, and imaginative collection of folktales with important messages for readers of all ages. These tales make for perfect bedtime stories for children aged 8 and above.

Book Links

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