Seasons of Splendour

“Jaffrey is best known as a food writer and actress, but here she displays her talent for storytelling. . .These tales, based largely on the “Ramayana” and the “Mahabharata,” and set off by Jaffrey’s memories of hearing them as a child during Hindu holidays, feature gods and goddesses, royals, demons, pure-hearted peasants and stingy relatives. . . .elemental truths abound: the anguish of hunger, the blessings of generosity, the love of family.” —Catherine Hong, The New York Times Book Review

“Stories of loving women, virtuous men, unpredictable kings and complicated prophecies. Ms. Jaffrey has organized these tales in the calendar order she might have heard them as a child, as connected with the cycle of religious festivals, and she has prefaced many of them with graceful remembrances of people and things past. For the read-aloud enthusiast, Seasons of Splendour offers tempting fare.” —Meghan Cox Gurdon, The Wall Street Journal

“These Indian tales, myths and legends will open up new worlds for most American children, giving them a sense of the world beyond European fairy-tales. Jaffrey’s writing is warm and accessible, and each story is compact. . . .paired perfectly with Michael Foreman’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations.” —Jessica Harrison, Cracking the Cover