Ancient Hindu mythological stories believe that Brahma, the creator, had a son called Kashyapa, whose many wives gave birth to different types of animals or pashu. Devdutt Pattanaik is back! This time it’s a children’s book titled Pashu, which introduces children to the key role that animals played in human lives, tracing their relevance in the Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata as well as stories that are a part of oral tradition and folklore. He retells these animal tales, with over 75 detailed and illustrated anecdotes.

Pashu, Devdutt Pattanaik, Penguin India, Rs 299. Available at leading bookstores.