Buy Now : The City Of Elephants
The City of Elephants is the first book in the Young Pandavas series by Anupam Arunachalam. It is a children's book. But after reading it, I can safely say that even adults would enjoy it.
Unique Storytelling
There is no vital deviation from the original story. The storyline remains the same. But the way of presenting was different. The author Anupam Arunachalam was imagery in creating scenes and episodes. As a consequence, the same old Mahabharata's story with the same characters appears to be different.
Sahadev as a Narrator
Sahadev, the youngest, the most knowledgeable, and the quietest among the Pandavas, narrates his and his brothers' exploits and escapades in Hastinapur. I relished the way the story carved out with a touch of maturity and child-like innocence.
The style of introducing each character by Sahadev was fantastic. I have knowledge about five Pandavas, but now, after reading this book, I kind of know them. Their interest and traits, behavior and character, all which shaped their adult personality.
Engaging
The flow of the story was superb. It was seamless with some excitement, danger, and adventure lurking around every corner. Your child will remain hooked to the book till the last page.
The author has used easy and descriptive language to infuse life into scenes. The little readers can easily add their visuals to the word.
And what would be a children's book without pictures! Illustrations were engaging and relevant to the story.
Kauravas Vs Pandavas
The author was accurate in his portrayal of the animosity between Duryodhana and Pandavas. Duryodhana's jealous and entitled nature, and Pandavas' robust competitive nature pitted them against each other. 'Your family and my family' attitude brought down the gargantuan Kuru dynasty.
My Nephew’s Feedback
I buddy read the book with my nephew, and he loved it. He watched and read Mahabharata umpteen times, but was fascinated by the description of Pandavas, and the discerning narration of Sahadev showing Pandavas in action. Though he was visually disappointed at the abrupt ending of the book, he can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
The Verdict
If you want to introduce your child to Mahabharata, then this book could be the one. It was both entertaining and interesting read.
Buy Now: The City of Elephants
