One of the most beloved epics of the world, known to children and adults alike, one does not need to be from India to have heard about the story of Ram, the 7th incarnation of the Hindu God, Vishnu; and his wife, Sita. Described as the 'Soul of India', The Ramayana can be seen as a guidebook for living a virtuous life, guised in a dramatic tale of gods and princes, love and war. And who wouldn't be entertained by a dramatic tale of love and war; who couldn't use a virtuous guidebook to life? The trouble is, epic adventures such as this, can be long-winded and wonderfully convoluted (although this is not a uniquely South Asian phenomenon; consider the Norse Sagas). How many adults have put down their copy of The Ramayana, or, say, Homer's The Iliad after wading in knee-deep and getting bogged-down?

Bulbul Sharma's The Ramayana for Children is an excellent retelling for the younger set, suitable for tweenies and older to read themselves, and just as suitable for parents to read with younger ones on their knee. The vivid illustrations by award-winning artist K.P. Sudesh that are found on almost every page will keep everyone enthralled, and the pace of the drama is kept thrumming along in language that is simple but not lackluster. If you have a copy of the classic version of The Ramayana gathering dust on your bookshelf, give the epic another try with this version; relatively quick and easy, yes, but you and your children will come away with an understanding of one of the world's great adventure stories (along with every child in India who has been told the story at bedtime) and an insight into Hindu culture, laden with practical wisdom and spirituality.

In the afterword, author Sharma admits that it is the sung version of the epic tale -- its original version, in fact, written in Sanskrit by the poet Valmiki around the 4th century BC -- which is her favourite. Still, she leaves the reader with her wish that her children's version of The Ramayana "will make you love the epic as much as I do, and make you want to read other versions of it as you grow older."

This is author and reknowned painter Bulbul Sharma's sixth book, others are Tales of Fabled Beasts, Gods and Demons, a book for children; three collections of short stories: My Sainted Aunt, Banana Flower Dreams and Anger of Aubergines. Her most recent prior to this was The Book of Devi (Indian Gods and Goddesses). Having already written a book about Devi, mother of the world and one of the most loved figures of Hindu iconography, Sharma is well-versed in the genre of Hindu epics. When not living in her incarnation as a writer, Sharma teaches painting to children with special needs, and has also taught art therapy to female inmates in India's Tihar Jail.

Karmel Schreyer writes educational materials for Asian children and is the author of the young-adult novels, Naomi: The Strawberry Blonde of Pippu Town and A Singing Bird Will Come: Naomi in Hong Kong.