A SLIVER OF MOON AND A SHARD OF TRUTH by Chitra Soundar is an early chapter book inspired by folktales and stories from Hindu mythology which she delighted in as a child growing up in India. This is the third book in Chitra’s trickster series which features the tales of Prince Veera and his best friend Suku. The book is complemented with illustrations by Uma Krishnaswamy and is suitable for readers age 6+.
Synopsis
Prince Veera’s great-uncle, Raja Apoorva, invites the prince and his best friend, Suku, to the summer festival in Peetalpur, where they participate in some of the competitions. Can they make the peahen sing, though peahens can’t sing? Or win the painting competition, or even defeat the country’s champion wrestler? The boys face each challenge with great wit and wisdom. Back at the palace, they are faced with more challenges. Raja Apoorva enjoys puzzles and presents several to the boys: who was the intruder who dared to pull the Raja’s beard? How can the journey to the seaside be shortened? And at court it’s Prince Veera and Suku who will decide which neighbour owns the tree that produces the wonderful figs for the palace, as well as solve the mysteries of the holy man and the astronomer. Four stories packed with clever and amusing tricks and puzzles which will delight children from 6 to 8 – and well beyond.
Review
A SLIVER OF MOON AND A SHARD OF TRUTH by Chitra Soundar is a really clever book about two very intelligent problem solvers. The two kids, one is a prince the other is his friend, go on adventures solving problems with pure wit.
At points of this story, I was laughing my head off with all of the intellect that was put into this. Chitra Soundar has created a hilarious book that makes you think and then after a second, you laugh. This was very funny and a delight to read, I read it all in one day because I was so excited! I recommend this book to all ages, especially younger children because this is very, very funny. Overall this is a pleasure to read and it definitely got me laughing.
Review by Lily age 10.
A Sliver of Moon and a Shard of Truth is out now.
Thank you to Walker Books for our gifted copy.