RAMAYANA

One of the world's oldest and best-loved tales, now retold and illustrated in thrilling detail for readers of all ages.

Rama pulled the splendid arrow out of his quiver. It had been given to him long ago by the sage Agastya who had told him that he could use it only once and only for a great enemy. The incomparable arrow held the wind in its feathers, the sun and the moon in its shining tip, the earth in its shaft and the power of the doomsday fire in its flight.

Ramayana—an unforgettable tale of love, adventure, flying monkeys and god acting in the world of humans—has been treasured by readers around the world for thousands of years. Now in an authoritative, gripping retelling by the renowned Ramayana scholar Arshia Sattar, readers have a new chance to explore this classic's riches.

Rama is a brave young prince who is forced into exile. His brother Lakshmana and his wife, the beautiful princess Sita, loyally follow him into the depths of the mysterious forest, where they encounter strange and dangerous creatures. None is as terrifying as Ravana, the ten-headed demon king who kidnaps Sita and takes her to a fortified city in the middle of the ocean. To rescue her, Rama enlists the help of hundreds of thousands of magical monkeys and bears to fight the demon army and win her back. Even the gods gather to witness the harrowing battle. Will Rama and his friends prevail, and will Sita return to him? Only these captivating pages will tell .

Arshia Sattar has a PhD in classical Indian literatures from the University of Chicago. Her translations from Sanskrit, The Ramayana of Valmiki and Tales from the Kathasaritsagara, have been published as Penguin Classics. She has also written books for children, including The Adventures of Hanuman.

Sonali Zohra studied fine art and photography and applies the principles of both to her work. From murals to illustration on ceramic, communication design, photography and illustration for books, whatever the medium, she tries to strike a balance between color, form and light.

Highlights
A PERFECT DISTILLATION OF A WORLD CLASSIC BY THE LEADING AUTHORITY: Scholar and author
Arshia Sattar is the translator of the authoritative Penguin Classics edition of Valmiki's Ramayana, the oldest version of Rama's story composed in Sanskrit about two and a half thousand years ago. Ramayana: An Illustrated Retelling elegantly condenses the epic poem into clear, vivid prose that's accessible for readers from 12 years old up, and just as gripping for teens and adults.

ONE OF THE MOST THRILLING STORIES EVER TOLD: Flying monkeys, kidnapped princesses, handsome princes, 10-headed demons, wicked stepmothers: Ramayana is chock-full of delights for readers of all ages.

EYE-POPPING ILLUSTRATIONS: Artist Sonali Zohra has contributed 20 original full-color spreads that adorn the book, bringing the demon battles, brave warriors, flying monkeys and more vividly to life in sumptuous, instantly iconic imagery.

A THOUGHT-PROVOKING BUT DIGESTIBLE RETELLING OF A COMPLEX CLASSIC: While full of lessons about virtue, honor, duty, fate, faithfulness, and friendship, the Ramayana is not a simplistic black-and-white morality tale. Sattar remains true to the sometimes troubling aspects of the book while making it appropriate for young readers, allowing kids to contemplate the complexities of the work and decide for themselves what characters' actions mean.

INDIA'S OLDEST AND BEST-LOVED STORY: While billions of Indian children have grown up reading and
hearing about the captivating adventures of Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, children outside the Subcontinent are less familiar with the Ramayana and the important mythology it recounts. Ramayana: An Illustrated Retelling is an opportunity to instill global awareness and learning in young readers through an unforgettable tale on par with The Odyssey, Grimm's Fairy Tales, and other beloved world classics.