Books with title The White Elephant and Other Tales from India

"Funny, wise, and entertaining from first page to last." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)Step back into ancient India as Marcia Williams brings her inviting comic-book style to eight animal folktales that continue to enchant children today. Drawing from three books of best-loved Indian folktales— the Hitopadesha, the Jatakas,and the Panchatantra —this graphic storybook collection, alive with kidfriendly illustrations, is infused with humor and warmth.

Step back into ancient India as Marcia Williams brings her inviting comic-book style to eight animal folktales that continue to enchant children today. Have you heard about the elephant and the dog who became not just unlikely companions, but the best of friends? Or the traveler whose greed for gold lures him straight into the scrawny tiger s trap? How about the talkative tortoise who can t keep his mouth closed to save his life? Drawing from three books of best-loved Indian folktales Hitopadesha Tales, Jataka Tales, and Panchantra Tales this graphic storybook collection, alive with kid-friendly illustrations, is infused with humor and warmth."

This treasury of fantastic folklore presents eleven traditional Indian stories, beautifully illustrated in full color. Many of the timeless tales of wise and foolish creatures offer intriguing regional variations on Aesop's fables: "The White Elephant" resembles "Androcles and the Lion," "The Timid Little Rabbit" recalls "Chicken Little," and "The Grain of Corn" compares to "The Old Woman and the Pig." The wily little Jackal makes occasional appearances, using his wits to overcome more powerful animals in "The Alligator and the Jackal" and "Singh Rajah and the Cunning Little Jackals.""The Kingdom of Mouseland," "The Bold Blackbird," and "The Kids and the Tiger" also recount triumphs of weak but cunning individuals over strong and brutish opponents. A conniving old woman and her greedy husband deceive one of their animal neighbors in "The Bear's Bad Bargain"; a humble laundryman becomes a hero in spite of himself in "The Man Who Rode a Tiger"; and Jackal returns to rescue a nobleman whose good intentions go astray in "The Brahmin and the Tiger."

Step back into ancient India as Marcia Williams brings her inviting comic-book style to eight animal folktales that continue to enchant children today.Have you heard about the elephant and the dog who became not just unlikely companions, but the best of friends? Or the traveler whose greed for gold lures him straight into the scrawny tiger’s trap? How about the talkative tortoise who can’t keep his mouth closed to save his life? Drawing from three books of best-loved Indian folktales — Hitopadesha Tales, Jataka Tales, and Panchantra Tales — this graphic storybook collection, alive with kid-friendly illustrations, is infused with humor and warmth.

This book is old, old children's tales from India and have been favorites for many, many years; some have come from the early days of Buddha, and were taken from a book, called the "Jataka Tales," telling of the Buddha's previous existences. Some of the old tales have been translated from the Pali by Eugene Watson Burlinghame, and they have also been retold in attractive form by Ellen C. Babbitt.