The Great Race

I bought this book for my grand-daughter, a 4 year old who is fascinated with Papua, New Guinea. The folk-lore and fantasies of Indonesia have kept her entertained through these books and I highly recommend them for kids of all ages who enjoy exploring other cultures.

Illustrations are, as expected, beautifully crafted and I love the story, but the storytelling hasn't captivated myself or my son. We'll keep trying... I wanted so badly to love this book. Truthfully, it's probably a three star, but that want is still lingering.

😍

One of my favorite childhood tales from Southeast Asia was the one featuring Sang Kanchil the little mouse deer who through sheer intelligence manages to outwit some of the biggest and powerful animals in the rainforest. I was eager to share Kanchil's stories with my young daughter and when I saw this book at our library, I was delighted. Not only does it feature Kanchil the mouse deer, it is also beautifully illustrated in the intricate Mata Ni Pachedi style of ritual textile painting from Gujarat. According to the publisher, this is the first time this rare traditional art has been utilized in narrating a children's story which makes it even more of a treat to read.My daughter and I were enchanted by the gorgeous illustrations and amused by the narration of Kanchil's antics. Now, Kanchil may be clever, but at times he can also be conceited, and in this particular tale, he challenges all the animals in the jungle to race against him, knowing full well he is the fastest of all of them, or is he? When the only creature in the jungle to challenge him is Pelan the snail, Kanchil is sure victory is his. Reminiscent of the tale of The Tortoise and the Hare from Aesop's Fables, this Indonesian and Malaysian (both lay claim to the Kanchil folktale) is sure to amuse and entertain young readers and the unique illustrations will enchant readers of all ages. This makes an excellent addition to any multicultural collection.

The artwork in this book is clever, but I don't think its suitable for young children who need more colourful images with clearly depicted pictures, not artistic impressions. This is a book that would be more liked by adults than children I think.

Beautifully illustrated retelling of a traditional story, my children love the "trickster" element of this book. We return to it regularly.

really beautiful book

Thought these two books were charmingly written…and the illustrations were wonderful - from Jackie