• Age: 4 to 6
• Grade: p to 1

When Maya dreams she’s lost in the jungle, she must rely on Ganesha’s wisdom to guide her back home–and back to herself. An engaging and beautifully illustrated story that introduces kids to one of the most well-known deities in the Hindu/Buddhist world.

After a hard day, Maya drifts into a dream where she meets an elephant-headed boy named Ganesha, who she learns to trust as her guide back home. Leading Maya with bravery, wisdom, and love, Ganesha teaches Maya how to overcome fear as they make their way through the challenging obstacles of a wild jungle. Upon waking, Maya is able to invoke the spirit of Ganesha as she starts her day.

The story is followed by resources for further learning about Ganesha, including an illustrated glossary of symbolism that kids can look for in the story. Of the hundreds of gods in Hindu mythology, Ganesha is one of the most beloved. Considered the guide to discovering the meaning of life and living it well, Ganesha is invoked within us whenever we choose to act like him—patient, kind, brave, thoughtful, and, above all, fearless. Whether for everyday reading or special occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, I Dream of Ganesha is a delightful celebration of this beloved Hindu deity.

SONALI ZOHRA is a Indian illustrator living in Bangalore. She studied fine arts and photography, and holds a master’s degree in design from the University of South Wales, in Australia. She is fully aware of the lack of sanitation facilities as depicted in this novel. When she was small, she would often accompany her father, who worked for UNICEF India on projects concerning women’s health in rural areas.

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