ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Indian traditions retold in new illustrated children’s book
‘Wisdom Stories of India,’ brings together 14 stories drawn from Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi and other traditions.
-
Pranavi Sharma - Thu, 05, Mar 2026
- 00:45 EST
- 27
Book cover and co-author Vinita Prachi Murarka. / Shambhala Publications
A new illustrated book exploring traditional Indian stories has been released by the U.S.-based publisher Shambhala Publications, with Indian American storyteller Vinita Prachi Murarka as co-author.
Shambhala Publications, an independent publisher based in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 1969, is a family-owned publisher with more than 1,600 titles in print.
‘Wisdom Stories of India,’ written by Laura Burges with Murarka, brings together 14 stories drawn from Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi and other traditions. The book is aimed at readers ages 6 and older and is designed for both children and adults reading together.
ALSO READ: Arundhati Roy longlisted for U.K. Women’s Prize
The book presents narratives featuring figures such as Indra, the king of the devas; Siddhartha, the historical Buddha; sixteenth-century ruler Akbar the Great; and mystic poet Kabir. The stories include characters such as rulers, merchants, monks and incarnate gods.
Each story is followed by a summary that provides historical context and highlights themes including kindness toward strangers, respect for nature, thoughtful speech and decision-making in difficult situations. The book also includes a glossary explaining unfamiliar terms to help readers better understand the stories.
The collection is illustrated by Wen Hsu, whose artwork depicts settings such as castles, royal courts, villages and forests drawn from the narrative worlds of the stories.
Vinita Prachi Murarka, an Ayurvedic doctor and Waldorf educator, was born in India and raised in the United States. In her twenties she returned to India, where she lived as a nun and served as a Loka Mitra Fellow for five years. She is the founder of Matre Sofia, an organization focused on birth and holistic family well-being.
Discover more stories on NewIndiaAbroad
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login