The Vedas and Upanishads for Children

Book Details
The Vedas and Upanishads for Children
Roopa Pai, illus. Sayan Mukherjee. London (originally published in New Delhi): Swift Press, pb, 978 1 8007 5189 7, 2023, £9.99, 407pp.
Non fiction, 9-13 years
Roopa Pai has demonstrated great skill in converting 3,500 year-old texts into something easy to read and understand.
Little by little, this book uncovers ancient Hindu philosophy and pushes the reader to create their own opinions on what is being explained. The first chapter of the book presents just that: the idea that agreement or disagreement with these ideas is possible, but you will never know if you’re right until you’ve given it thought yourself.
With beautiful illustrations throughout, Pai has presented the information in digestible amounts by connecting it to modern ideas like Santa Claus and Netflix, while staying true to the root ideas and the information they present.
A compelling read for readers of all ages, this will definitely open up conversation with others about the cycle of life, about what souls are or if they exist, but, more importantly, about the importance of doing good for yourself and others.
Review by Maria J