Rama and the Demon King

 Jessica Souhami
Frances Lincoln
Age 3-7 years

This is a bold and beautifully illustrated traditional Hindu tale of Rama and Sita whose bravery and goodness triumphs over a jealous stepmother and the vengeful ten-headed Ravana, King of all the Demons. With help from Hanuman, leader of the monkey army, Rama and his loyal brother Lakshaman escape from the forest, defeat Ravana, free Sita and together return to India. After learning of his father’s death, Rama is made King and rules wisely and well.

The suspense in the story is highlighted by the use of paper cut-outs, dramatising the action like colourful puppets on the page.

Share the story

Read aloud
Read the story aloud, taking time to talk together about the pictures as you do.

Things to talk about
Take time to look and talk about the cover. What does your child notice? What kind of story might it be?

As you read the book allow time to pause for your child to predict what might happen next, before turning the page.

Talk together when your child wants to discuss anything they notice, ask a question or wonder about the story, characters, illustrations or layout.

After finishing the book, share favourite parts of the story and favourite illustrations and talk about why you chose them.

Talk about any morals or lessons from the story.

What would your child tell someone else about this book? 

Things to make and do

Make a stick puppet
Make a stick puppet by using coloured card and either a pencil, paintbrush or wooden spoon. Use it to retell the story, perhaps from the chosen character’s point of view. See here for ideas. 

Make a bridge
Make a bridge for Rama and Hanuman to cross the sea to rescue Sita, using cardboard tubes and egg boxes, sticky tape and glue. Balance increasingly heavy objects on it to test its strength.

 

Find out more

Find India and Sri Lanka on the world map

Read other books by  author/illustrator Jessica Souhami, titles include:

In the Dark, Dark Wood

Leopard’s Drum

No Dinner!

King Pom

Foxy!

Sausages