Sita's Ramayana - by Samhita Arni (Hardcover)

About the Book

This version of the The Ramayana is told from the perspective of Sita, the queen. It is an allegorical story that contains important Hindu teachings, and it has had great influence on Indian life and culture over the centuries.

Book Synopsis

An American Library Association 2012 Notable Children's Book and a USBBY Outstanding International Books Honor Book

The Ramayana -- one of the great legends of ancient India -- is presented here in the form of a visually stunning and gripping graphic novel. Told from the perspective of the queen, Sita, it explores ideas of right vs. wrong, compassion, loyalty, trust, honor and the terrible price that war exacts from women, children, animals and the natural world.

After Sita, Rama and his brother are banished from their kingdom, Sita is captured by the arrogant King Ravana and imprisoned in a garden across the ocean. Ravana tries to convince Sita to be his wife, but she steadfastly refuses his advances. Eventually, Rama comes to her rescue with the help of the monkey Hanuman and his army, magic animals and gods. But Rama is unable to trust Sita and forces her to undergo an ordeal by fire to prove herself to be true and pure...

The Ramayana was first written in Sanskrit by the poet Valmiki around 300 B.C. It contains important Hindu teachings and has had great influence on Indian life and culture over the centuries.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.6
Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.

Review Quotes

. . . Sita's Ramayana is part of a strong tradition of feminist retellings, yet it manages to feel fresh and to stand up to them.--AISHWARYA SUBRAMANIAN "The Sunday Guardian"

...gorgeous, vibrant illustrations...It is an accomplishment...--Francisca Goldsmith "Booklist, STARRED REVIEW"

...instantly engaging, even mesmerizing.-- "The Globe and Mail"

...stunning...-- "Sequential Tart"

...stunning...-- "The Children's Book Compass"

a must-purchase based on the strength of its dramatic story and arresting art, enhanced by superior design and high-quality production. Brilliant and fresh.--Paula Willey "School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW"

dynamic...moving and important...-- "Publishers Weekly"

A vibrantly illustrated graphic-novel retelling of an ancient Indian legend...A valuable piece of historical literature brought to the forefront for thoughtful new readers-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Recommended--Ann Ketcheson "CM Magazine"

Sita's Ramayana expands the collection of world literature available to teachers, and young readers will find connections to stories they already know while embarking on an entirely new journey.--Lesley Colabucci "Language Arts"

Thought provoking and thrilling...-- "The Bulletin of the Centre for Children's Books"

Told in the vibrant and dynamic art of traditional Patua scroll paintings, Sita's Ramayana is a radical new telling of an ancient tale.--Kristina "Read@MPL"

About the Author

Samhita Arni has been interested in Hindu mythology since she was a child. She has written The Mahabaharata: A Child's View, a version of another great Indian epic, which has been translated into seven languages and was named Book of the Month by the German Academy for Youth Literature and Media, and one of the Best Published Books of 2004 by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. It also won the Elsa Morante Literary Award (Department of Culture, Campania, Italy). Samhita has also written scripts for film and television and is currently working on a thriller based on The Ramayana. She lives in Bangalore, India.

Moyna Chitrakar is an artist and performer from the Patua scroll painting tradition. She is also the illustrator of the unique scroll book Tsunami, published by Tara Books.