The Foolish Men of Agra — Rina Singh

The Foolish Men of Agra Drawn from the traditional tales of Mogul India and skillfully retold by Rina Singh, “The Foolish Men Of Agra” is a collection of ten delightfully funny and poignant stories. The Mogul emperor, Akbar, is enlightened by the tales of his clever friend and minister, Birbal. Whether Birbal is outsmarting his jealous enemies or saving Akbar from his own foolishness, the stories are consistently amusing, but also convey the loyalty and affection of the two friends. The stunning illustrations by Farida Zaman draw inspiration from the mosaic style of the grand mogul palaces, and perfectly capture the spirit and charm of these enchanting tales. Zaman's ornate illustrations convey the rich colors and culture of India through portraits of characters, snippets of scenes, and decorative chapter openers and closers. An informative introduction places all of the tales into historical perspective, and a helpful glossary concludes the collection, making it all the more accessible. (Folklore. ages 6-10)