The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow
By Sanjay Patel
Plume, 2006
Review by Pooja Makhijani
From Kahani Fall 2007


The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow(Plume, 2006), is a colorful first offering from animator Sanjay Patel. Though not authored or illustrated specifically for children, this whimsical book is perfect for curious tykes searching for an interesting introduction to the Hindu pantheon. Patel, inspired by Japanese cartoons like Voltron and Robotech, renders Ganesha, Sarasvati, and Krishna with wide eyes and large heads. The youngest readers will appreciate Patel’s unique style; older children will find tons of fascinating information in the book’s brief descriptions of each deity.