Amma, Tell Me About Krishna!: The Story of Janamashtami and Krishna's Birth in a Fun and Non-preachy Way
Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! Bhakti Mathur: A Book Review
If you are looking for a way to introduce your children to the fascinating stories of Hindu mythology and festivals, you might want to check out Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! by Bhakti Mathur. This is a charming and captivating book that narrates the story of Krishna's birth and childhood in a simple and engaging way. In this article, I will tell you more about the book, the author, and why you should read it with your kids.
Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! Bhakti Mathur
What is the book about?
Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! is the first book in the Krishna trilogy, which is part of the Amma Tell Me series of children's books that introduce the major Hindu festivals and figures to young readers. The book tells the story of how Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born to rid the world of evil Kansa, a tyrant king who imprisoned his own sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva. The book also describes how Krishna miraculously escaped from prison across the flooded river Yamuna with the help of a snake called Shesh Naag, and how he arrived at the home of Nand and Yashodha in Gokul, where he grew up as a mischievous and lovable child.
The book is written in rhyme with vivid and colorful illustrations that capture the imagination of children. The book also includes a glossary of Hindi words and a note from the author explaining the significance of Janamashtami, the festival that celebrates Krishna's birthday.
Who is the author?
Bhakti Mathur's background and inspiration
Bhakti Mathur is an Indian author who grew up in Delhi and now lives in Hong Kong with her husband, her two sons, Shiv and Veer, and their golden Labrador, Frodo. She is a banker by profession and currently works for a major Asian bank. Bhakti's love of books started from a young age, as her mother was a librarian and she spent many hours in the library.
The idea for the Amma Tell Me series came as a way to introduce her sons to Indian mythology and festivals. She wanted to share with them the stories that she had grown up listening to from her grandparents and parents, but she could not find any books that were suitable for their age group. She decided to write her own books in a fun and non-preachy way, using rhyme and illustrations to make them appealing and informative.
Bhakti Mathur's other books in the Amma Tell Me series
Bhakti Mathur has written 12 books in the Amma Tell Me series so far, covering various topics such as Holi, Diwali, Ramayana, Hanuman, Ganesha, Durga Puja, Shiva, and more. She has also written a book on the Chinese New Year, called Amma, Tell Me About Chinese New Year!, which is inspired by her experience of living in Hong Kong. She plans to write more books on other festivals and cultures in the future.
Bhakti Mathur's books have been well-received by readers and critics alike, and have won several awards and recognition. For example, Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! was shortlisted for the Best Picture Book category in the 2013 Hong Kong Golden Dragon Book Awards. Her books have also been featured in various media outlets, such as The Hindu, The Times of India, The South China Morning Post, and more.
Why should you read this book?
The benefits of introducing children to Hindu mythology and festivals
Reading Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! with your children can be a great way to introduce them to Hindu mythology and festivals, which are rich in culture, history, and values. By reading this book, you can help your children:
Learn about the stories and characters that are part of the Hindu tradition and heritage.
Understand the meaning and significance of Janamashtami and other festivals that celebrate Krishna's life and teachings.
Appreciate the diversity and beauty of Indian culture and spirituality.
Develop their curiosity and interest in learning more about other religions and cultures.
Enhance their vocabulary and language skills by learning new words and expressions.
Improve their creativity and imagination by visualizing the scenes and events in the book.
The features of the book that make it appealing and informative
Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! is not just a book, but a learning experience for children. The book has several features that make it appealing and informative, such as:
The rhyme scheme that makes the text easy to read and remember.
The illustrations that are colorful, detailed, and expressive.
The glossary that explains the meaning of Hindi words used in the book.
The note from the author that provides additional information about Janamashtami and Krishna.
The feedback and reviews from other readers and critics
Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! has received positive feedback and reviews from other readers and critics who have enjoyed the book. Here are some of the comments that they have shared:
"A delightful introduction to Hindu mythology for young readers." - Kirkus Reviews
"A wonderful way to teach children about Indian culture and religion." - Amazon Customer
"A beautiful book with lovely illustrations and simple rhymes." - Goodreads Reviewer
"A must-have for every Indian parent who wants to pass on their heritage to their kids." - The Hindu
How can you get this book?
The availability and price of the book online and offline
If you are interested in getting a copy of Amma, Tell Me About Krishna!, you have several options to choose from. You can buy the book online or offline, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some of the details:
The book is available on Amazon.com for $34.81 (paperback) or $9.99 (Kindle edition).
The book is also available on other online platforms, such as Flipkart.com, Bookdepository.com, Barnesandnoble.com, etc.
The book is sold in various bookstores across India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.
The book is published by Anjana Publishing, which is based in Hong Kong.
The contact details of the author and publisher
If you want to contact the author or the publisher of Amma, Tell Me About Krishna!, you can use the following details:
The author's website: bhaktimathur.com
The author's email: bhaktimathur@gmail.com
The author's Facebook page: facebook.com/AmmaTellMeBooks
The publisher's website: anjanapublishing.com
The publisher's email: info@anjanapublishing.com
Conclusion
fun and non-preachy way. The book is written in rhyme with vivid and colorful illustrations that capture the imagination of children. The book also includes a glossary of Hindi words and a note from the author explaining the significance of Janamashtami, the festival that celebrates Krishna's birthday.
The book is part of the Amma Tell Me series of children's books that introduce the major Hindu festivals and figures to young readers. The series is written by Bhakti Mathur, an Indian author who grew up in Delhi and now lives in Hong Kong with her family. She was inspired to write the series as a way to share the stories of Hindu mythology and festivals with her sons, who could not find any books that were suitable for their age group.
Reading Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! with your children can be a great way to introduce them to Hindu mythology and festivals, which are rich in culture, history, and values. By reading this book, you can help your children learn about the stories and characters that are part of the Hindu tradition and heritage, understand the meaning and significance of Janamashtami and other festivals that celebrate Krishna's life and teachings, appreciate the diversity and beauty of Indian culture and spirituality, develop their curiosity and interest in learning more about other religions and cultures, enhance their vocabulary and language skills by learning new words and expressions, and improve their creativity and imagination by visualizing the scenes and events in the book.
If you are interested in getting a copy of Amma, Tell Me About Krishna!, you have several options to choose from. You can buy the book online or offline, depending on your preference and convenience. The book is available on Amazon.com for $34.81 (paperback) or $9.99 (Kindle edition). The book is also available on other online platforms, such as Flipkart.com, Bookdepository.com, Barnesandnoble.com, etc. The book is sold in various bookstores across India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. The book is published by Anjana Publishing, which is based in Hong Kong.
If you want to contact the author or the publisher of Amma, Tell Me About Krishna!, you can use the following details: The author's website: bhaktimathur.com; The author's email: bhaktimathur@gmail.com; The author's Facebook page: facebook.com/AmmaTellMeBooks; The publisher's website: anjanapublishing.com; The publisher's email: info@anjanapublishing.com.
In conclusion, Amma, Tell Me About Krishna! by Bhakti Mathur is a wonderful book that tells the story of Krishna's birth and childhood in a fun and non-preachy way. The book is written in rhyme with vivid and colorful illustrations that capture the imagination of children. The book also includes a glossary of Hindi words and a note from the author explaining the significance of Janamashtami, the festival that celebrates Krishna's birthday. The book is part of the Amma Tell Me series of children's books that introduce the major Hindu festivals and figures to young readers. Reading this book with your children can be a great way to introduce them to Hindu mythology and festivals, which are rich in culture, history, and values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Janamashtami?
Janamashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It falls on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. On this day, devotees fast, pray, sing bhajans (devotional songs), perform puja (ritual worship), and enact dramas based on Krishna's life.
Who is Lord Vishnu?
Lord Vishnu is one of the three main gods in Hinduism, along with Brahma and Shiva. He is known as the preserver and protector of the universe. He has taken many avatars (incarnations) to save the world from evil forces. Some of his famous avatars are Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, etc.
Who is Kansa?
Kansa was the tyrant king of Mathura, who was the maternal uncle of Krishna. He was a cruel and wicked ruler who oppressed his people and defied the gods. He was prophesied to be killed by the eighth child of his sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva. To prevent this, he imprisoned them and killed their first six children. The seventh child, Balarama, was miraculously transferred to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva. The eighth child, Krishna, was also miraculously saved and taken to Gokul by Vasudeva. Krishna later returned to Mathura and killed Kansa.
Who is Shesh Naag?
Shesh Naag is a divine snake who is the king of all nagas (serpents). He is also known as Ananta (the endless one) or Adishesha (the first snake). He is a devotee of Lord Vishnu and serves as his bed, throne, and umbrella. He helped Krishna escape from prison by forming a bridge over the river Yamuna and protecting him from the rain.
Who are Nand and Yashodha?
Nand and Yashodha were the foster parents of Krishna in Gokul. They were simple and loving cowherds who raised Krishna as their own son. They were unaware of his divine identity and treated him as a normal child. They witnessed many of his miraculous deeds and playful antics.
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