Once Upon A Sound (Book Review)

The Story of Everything by Vrisha Rongala

Looking for quality children’s picture books on Hindu themes that can also compete in the global market? “Once Upon A Sound - The Story of Everything” written by Vrisha Rongala and illustrated by Vivien Sarkany is a beautiful book, one that will give your children a first introduction to the primordial sound Om. The book presents an introduction to Hindu metaphysics in a way that young children can understand.

In a world where attractive bedtime reading options mostly consist of western books, Hindu parents can now add this book to their home collection of picture books for the curious child.

Lyrical prose and tasteful illustrations bring the concept of the primordial sound Om to life. How did the universe come to be, a long time ago when there was absolutely nothing?

For parents wondering how to introduce the youngest kids to Hindu concepts, here’s the perfect picture book with delicate drawings that a child will ask to read again and again.

“Once Upon a Sound” can hold its own among the galaxy of Caldecott Medal winners for children’s picture books, while introducing children to the sound of creation and the interconnectedness of the whole Universe - the essence of Hindu thought.

This book is designed to appeal to a universal audience, but does not lose sight of its Hindu-ness, with stylised drawings of children featuring a bindi and Indian earrings. The motifs of Hindu India are present everywhere in the illustrations - a temple, a saffron flag, a cow, a Gurukula scene, even Krishna with the flute.

Buy this book for your little ones, and buy it as a present for non-Indian kids too. It is time to own our beautiful metaphysics proudly and take it to kids worldwide in a simple yet profound way.

The author Vrisha Rongala “aspires to plant a seed of discovery in young minds, to explore the world beyond the ordinary and seek from ancient knowledge. The book blends the mystical to the tangible, ” and in this blending, she has succeeded beyond doubt.

Vrisha Rongala is a visionary storyteller with an eye for aesthetics and a gift for simplifying the complex, an effective cultural ambassador to take Hindu metaphysics to the world through beautifully illustrated picture books for children. We look forward to more books from the first-time author based in Bangalore, India.

The book is available internationally on Amazon.com here.

Indian readers can use this link on Amazon.in.

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