For the child curious about other cultures and classic stories, these Bengali tales highlight the power of wit, bravery, and clever solutions in facing life's challenges.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is ready for folklore that is a little spookier and more culturally specific than a typical Grimm's collection. These five tales from Bengal, India, are perfect for readers who delight in seeing cleverness and wit triumph over brute force. The stories feature heroes, from princes to common barbers, who must outsmart frightening ghosts and powerful demons (rakshasas). While there are scary moments, the overarching themes are bravery, resilience, and the power of intelligence. It’s an excellent choice for expanding a child's worldview and introducing them to the rich storytelling traditions of another culture.
Violence is a central threat (e.g. demons wanting to eat people) but is not depicted graphically.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with fear and evil embodied by supernatural monsters. The threat of death is constant, as the demons are often intent on eating the human characters. This is handled metaphorically, in a classic folktale style, and is not graphically depicted. The resolution is always hopeful, as good (and cleverness) invariably triumphs over evil, reinforcing a sense of safety and justice.
Ideal Reader
This is for an 8 to 10-year-old who loves mythology, monsters, and trickster tales. They have likely enjoyed books of myths or fairy tales and are ready for something with more atmospheric tension and a non-European cultural setting. They are a reader who appreciates a clever solution and will cheer for the underdog who uses their mind to win.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the striking, black-and-white woodcut illustrations by Molly Garrett Bang, which are highly atmospheric and can be genuinely frightening to more sensitive children. It might be helpful to have a brief conversation about how different cultures have stories about monsters and heroes, and that these demons, or rakshasas, are a famous part of Indian folklore. A child is asking for scary stories, but the parent wants something with cultural depth and positive moral takeaways instead of simple horror. Or, a parent is actively seeking books to introduce their child to global cultures and diverse storytelling traditions.
Age Experience
A younger reader (7-8) will be drawn to the adventure and the spooky thrill of the monsters, focusing on the simple good vs. evil conflict. An older reader (9-11) will better appreciate the ingenuity of the heroes' solutions, the humor in the demons' gullibility, and the unique cultural elements of the Bengali setting.
What Makes It Special
Its primary differentiator is its authentic cultural voice paired with Molly Garrett Bang's unique and powerful woodcut illustrations. Unlike many watered-down fairy tale anthologies, this collection retains a specific sense of place and a stark, atmospheric tone that feels both ancient and immediate. The art style is a significant part of the reading experience and sets it apart from any other folktale collection.
Read plot summary
This book is a collection of five self-contained folktales from the Bengal region of India. The stories feature a variety of protagonists (a barber, a Brahmin, princes) who find themselves in conflict with supernatural beings, including ghosts and powerful demons known as rakshasas. The central theme across the tales is not about fighting these beings with physical strength, but outwitting them through clever plans, trickery, and courage. The resolutions are typically triumphant, with the clever hero successfully defeating or escaping the malevolent spirit.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
