Timeless Tales: Children's Stories from Bengali

by Ayushmita Kundu (Translator )

Children's tales take us to the world of fantasy, and even the biggest cynic dances with joy when they hear them. Cajoling our grandmothers to tell us stories of the princes and princesses in their kingdoms in the faraway lands, we would get lost in the world of make-believe. We realised that there are very few collections of such tales in translation and we have heard one too many complaints about the lack of it. Keeping in mind the young ones, we have published a collection of children's tales written by some of the best writers, young and old, from West Bengal and Bangladesh. If the book puts a smile on your face, we will consider our efforts worthwhile

152 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2023

Reviews

[Book_withquotes · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Embark on a magical journey into the realm of imagination with our enchanting collection of children’s tales. From princes and princesses to faraway kingdoms, these stories transport young readers to worlds filled with wonder and adventure. Inspired by the cherished tales our grandmothers once shared, we present a curated selection of stories from the rich literary traditions of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Written by some of the finest storytellers, both young and old, these captivating tales are sure to ignite the imagination and warm the hearts of readers of all ages. Join us as we celebrate the joy of storytelling and the timeless magic of childhood.

Youngsters’ accounts empower innovative reasoning and imagination. Through brilliant characters, fantastical universes, and connecting with plots, these accounts rouse youngsters to investigate their creative minds and consider some fresh possibilities. Straightforward language, and an impression of Indian local qualities, places and individuals are a portion of its best elements. It has recently an ideal offset of straightforward language with a shower of intricate words, to such an extent that the kid doesn’t feel awkward and needs to learn new words.

Inspiring, interesting and vivacious, this is a priority on each shelf! The narratives in the book make you look at and value the fun of basic things throughout everyday life. Such a wonderful method for conveying delightful feelings and cruel real factors. Being a Bengali myself, I am glad to such an extent that the creators, alongside the interpreter are offering the way of life of Bengal to everybody. I energetically prescribe this book to everybody!

[ishhreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Timeless Tales" is an anthology of children’s stories translated from Bengali and Bangladesh literature. Each story imparts deep life lessons and provokes thought. It’s my first children's book post my school days, and I find it challenging to pick a favorite because every story is so sensible and relatable.

Personally, I adored the food lover and sleepover story, which inspired me to delve further into the other tales. The translations are done perfectly, enhancing the stories' interest and enjoyment. The concept of animals speaking to humans adds an intriguing element, aligning perfectly with my preferences in children's literature.

Fond memories flood back of my grandmother and father sharing stories before bedtime, transporting me to those nostalgic days of wonder and imagination.

Illustrations provided at the start of each story are beautifully crafted, enhancing the reading experience. I feel immensely better after immersing myself in this book.

[Solitude and books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately I have been into children's books and thus I came across this beautifully cute and thoughtful bucket of stories named: Timeless Tales.


There are 23 such stories that are age old popular and few lesser known and forgotten tales from bengali literature!

Stories by eminent authors like Ishwar Chandra Vidya sagar,Abanindranath Tagore, to sukumar Roy, the tales take children on a journey of adventure and fun by imparting valuable life lessons side by side.


I definitely recommend this print from Beebooks publishers translated by Ayushmita Kundu. It is a beautiful gem to be in children's bookshelves motivating reading habits.

[Ibtesam Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

TIMLESS TALES translated by AYUSHMITA KUNDU
🌸BEE BOOKS PUBLISHING
🌸CHILDREN'S FICTION

Even though I grew up in Kolkata, I didn't have many Bengali neighbours. My childhood included stories from Panchatantra and Islamic stories of Prophets. So, this book was an unique take on Bengali children's stories. I had never heard of any of them before.
Just like a delighted child, I flicked page after page, enticed with the story as much as a kid would be. With a total of 23 chapters, and some beautiful illustrations, the book features stories like - Monkey Prince, Chandni, Bhuto and Ghoto etc written by famous personalities like Sukumar Roy, Abanindranath Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar etc.
The stories are translated from Bengali and Bangladeshi literature. Just like any children's book, each story drives a lesson, be it kindness, loyalty, bravery or selfishness and greed. It's definitely a book that I'll read to my nephew and neice with that exaggerated voiceover. I can already imagine their delight. While few of the stories features talking animals, others potrays the lives of Kings, Queen and Prince and Princess. There are also stories of common people and their everyday troubles. Few stories are of mythical spirits like Drigahangchu, Brahmaditya,Byangoma- Byangomi etc.
I did recognize certain Bengali elements, like the names of the people, or the streets. The language used was kept very simple but Bengali vernacular was added. The narration was super to the point and crisp. Overall, it was a smooth,engaging read. It barely took me 2-3 days to finish the 150 pages. My favourite story was All forest animals and friends and Chandni.
Definitely recommended to people who haven't read Bengali stories before and People who want a nostalgic take on them. Also, kids.

[Aparna Prabhu · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Timeless Tales’ is a collective repository of children's stories that have aged well and made their way to the hearts of adults. It's difficult to craft a tale catering to children as they have limited attention spans. The stories where imagination knows no bounds and fascinating lands of kings, queens, and ghosts await their arrival.

These folktales primarily from the region of West Bengal & Bangladesh have enthralled generations of people. The translation by Ayushmita Kundu is kept minimal to include colloquial Bengali phrases and words to preserve the authenticity of the source material. Spending time with this read not only made me nostalgic but also reminded me of the simple times.

Stories from eminent Bengali authors like Trailokyanath Mukhopadhyay, Upendra Kishore Ray, Sukumar Ray, Abanindranath Tagore, and many others are a reflection of the society and political landscape at large. Having read their work in ‘Anthology of Best Ghost Stories from Bengal’, I was spellbound by their versatile penmanship.

The stories were carefully developed keeping in mind the intent and the essence. Some of them imparted values, some characteristics of protagonists will make you laugh and some were simply penned to keep the cultural ethos of West Bengal and nearby areas alive.

‘Chandni’ is a short yet endearing tale by Abanindranath Tagore that people still harbour the belief that an old woman can be spotted spinning the wheel on a full moon night.

These timeless tales were conceived mainly to entertain and introduce the cultural milieu of the yesteryears to children of today's fast-paced digital world.

[Ari's Library || booksandpieces · Rating 5 out of 5]

To truly understand a particular region and it's history, one needs to listen to its tales and folklore. Specifically, children's stories.
📖 Bee Books has been doing a splendid job in translating books, and this one is no different. With more than 20 stories, spanning across the regions of West Bengal and Bangladesh, the sweet and simple translations will capture your attention and take you back to those days when you would listen to all these fantastical tales straight from your grandparents', on a cozy summer evening with snacks and tea ready to be enjoyed.
📖 The translations were done well : it manages to retain most of the charm of Bengali(which is, arguably, a difficult thing to do!) while still being simple enough to appeal to children.
📖 The illustrations really reminded me of the typical art that was included in the beginning of the chapters in the Bengali books we used to read back in the days : and I found it charming that such details were included in this compilation. Little things like these really add on to the overall journey of reading.
📖 Children's books can be a tricky thing to perfect: aside from the content, one needs to focus on the font size, the page quality, etc., to make sure that the experience, broadly, remains fun and entertaining. This book checks those parameters perfectly, too.
📖 Overall, it is perfect for children and adults : if you're a Bengali and even if you're not, you will find yourself falling in love with these beautiful tales over and over again. It's a breezy read that I will go back to often. ❤️

[Deotima Sarkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when a book highlights on all the stories you grew up reading and hearing? You re read them with new vigour and propagate the books amongst all! Timeless Tales - Children's Stories from Bengali, translated by Ayushmita Kundu is a book like that. Bringing in the best of these children s take, all kids in the Bengali households have grown up knowing about, this book is a great one to keep in your collection. With stories from erstwhile collections like the 'Thakurmar Jhuli' , the collection not only features some greatest Bengali authors in the likes of Dakshinaranjan, Abanindranath, Sanjib Chattopadhyay, Bonophool and Upendra Kishore Roychowdhury as well as Sukumar Ray but also features their creations in a perfect mix of tales. Via the stories the children will be transported not only into the world of kings, talking animals, magics and secrets but also learn some valuable lessons of honesty, truth, love and bravery. The illustrations add that necessary flair and they can be coloured in too. Obviously I cannot stop recommending this book as all of these tales make me straight back to those winter holidays at my grandparents, where these stories were my perfect escape. To my non Bengali friends this is a very balanced collection to keep as an example of great children's stories in Bangla, to my bengali community, keep it as a journey into our childhood and re read in English!

[JT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children’s stories told by our grandparents often bring joy and smile to our face. These stories take us on a fun ride into the fictional world full of talking animals , kings and kingdoms as well as fairies and angels. These stories are our first step into the imaginary world.
These stories are not yet just full of knowledge and wisdom but an insight into the cultural heritage of our ancestors. These build a bond between children and their grandparents and make unforgettable memories.

This is one such compilation of beautifully translated stories by great Bengali authors like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar , Abanindranath Tagore , Sharat Kumari Debi Chaudharani etc. The range of stories range from kings, princes to nature. The theme of the stories are engaging and light hearted. It provides an introduction to the Bengali literature of children’s stories written many years ago. Bengal has a rich cultural and literary heritage which can be glimpsed through the variety of stories compiled here.
These stories are translated in a simplistic manner and makes one nostalgic. They surely transport one back to their childhood

However, some stories felt a little lacking due to translation. The language seemed off at places but that is common for translations . But overall , the stories are interesting and can be shared with children in this era of social media to imbibe wisdom and moral values.

[Khushi Rungta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless tales is a collection of short stories, written by multiple renowned Bengali authors, catered towards children. These collections are originally in Bengali, but are translated here in English, thus giving me a chance to read some famous tales from my city.

These stories has everything that takes to remind you of your childhood and bring nostalgia. It also made me realise that I definitely did hear some of the translations from my elders when I was growing up. This anthology made me connect those stories with their original writers like Ishwar Chandra Vidya Sagar, Abanindranath Tagore, as well as Sukumar Roy.

If you're a parent who wants their child to start reading, or wants to read out to them yourself- do pick up this book. The stories are short, so you won’t get bored, and they’re perfect for reading before bedtime or while granting a short break to your children. The stories have moral values or elements that would fascinate the children, adding as an educational tool value too.

These stories I believe play a very pivotal role in the initial years of a child. They have a habit to grasp things and such values if inculcated then would help in future. I tried to further translate the stories into hindi and read them out to my cousin - which he absolutely loved. Accompanying the stories are also some beautiful illustrations which add to the reading activity for young children.

However it's just not for children, as an adult I enjoyed reading it too. The cover, the illustrations, the short crisp stories - everything was an escape from the mature life we have to live. Plus I am always glad to read Bengali translations - I feel more connected to my city.

[Sohinee Reads & Reviews (Bookarlo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timeless Tales is a collection of short stories that were originally written by eminent people of Bengal as well as prominent Bengali writers of their time, and is translated from Bengali to English by Ayushmita Kundu.

Although I am a Bengali myself, since all of my childhood was spent outside of West Bengal, I missed out on reading all the great literary works by Bengali writers. So, reading this collection was like getting a glimpse into what I have missed out on and a chance to reclaim those missed opportunities and experience these stories now, albeit, a little later in life.

Timeless Tales features stories written by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Gaganendranath Tagore, Sukumar Ray, Radharani Debi to name a few. While reading this book might have been a nostalgic experience for a lot of the Bengali readers, it was more of an exploring 'the tip of an iceberg' kind of a situation for me. And perhaps this experience will propel me to explore more works by Bengali authors!

With simple narration and easy to follow language, I believe this collection of 23 richly captivating short stories will serve its purpose of allowing young readers to find their new favourite characters all the while learning the everyday morals that these characters teach.

These tales are indeed timeless and the youngsters will now have a chance to enjoy a select pick of these timeless tales in abundance!

[Jainand Gurjar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timeless Tales is a collection of Children's Stories from Bengal and Bangladesh, written by some of the best Bengali writers, and translated by Ayushmita Kundu. In this collection of 23 stories, the readers, along with children can dive into the world of joy, wit and fantasy with the added comfort and fun of the storytelling.

The collection has stories of some well-known authors like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Abanindranath Tagore, Sukumar Ray and Gaganendranath Tagore amongst other authors and it was fascinating to read stories from the authors who are not much mentioned and discussed. And thus, this book comes as a breath of fresh air with charming and engaging stories.

Most of the stories are very short in length and could be easily used to read in between any chores and work, or maybe at bedtime, and can be a source of fun and vibrant moments. Many stories in the collection may originate from folktales, because even though I have not read Bengali children's stories earlier, I could feel that I have heard some other version of them at some places or others, and it makes it more interesting. The stories are beautifully complemented with illustrations.

I enjoyed reading most of the stories, and these stories are a delight not only for children but for grown-ups as well. If you are someone who is looking forward to some short stories for children or yourself for some light, fun, and engaging stories, this one will serve you perfectly.

[Ritika Goyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timeless Tales is a collection of short stories, a perfect bedtime stories for our children. It contains various stories by different authors originally from west Bengal and Bangladesh but is being translated in English by Ayushmita Kundu so that more children's can enjoy these stories.

Honestly, I loved how these stories brought back my childhood memories.It was such an emotional moment reading these stories and I loved every second of it.

This book contains 23 different short stories written by famous authors and in a very simple and understanding language which anyone can read. Each story left you a moral that'll left an important impact on your life. Each story contains so much value and that's the reason I read some of these to my younger cousins so that while enjoying reading these,they can also learn moral values which are important for them at this age.

Can't wait to read all these stories to them because I want their childhood to be memorable just like mine was and I know these stories will leave a very big impact on their lives.

Thankyou bee books and all the authors to bring such a good tales to our children's and special thanks to the translator who made it possible for every person to be able to read it.

[Sejuti Majumdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you are in a slump or stressed go for children’s books!!!
Timeless Tales is a collection of Bengali children’s stories which is translated by Ayusmita Kundu. This book contains 23 stories from legendary Bengali authors like Vidyasagar, Upendra Kishore, Bonpophool etc. Each of the stories ranges from different genres like folktales, and fantasies that involve, princes, princesses, fairies, and ghosts transporting readers to the land of make-believe.
While reading this book I was transported to my childhood when I either read them in their original language or heard the stories from my elders. It was so nostalgic to read them again. The translation was done with good effort but I have to say that I did feel the loss of essence in some of the stories. The illustrations though were mindblowing and will surely captivate the child readers.
This is a kind of book that can be read by the parents along with their kids in order to inculcate their reading habit or even read out the stories to them. I like that this collection not only incorporates almost all legendary authors but a variety of stories also so a reader gets to enjoy different flavors. If you have kids or you want to gift any kid something worthwhile gift this book.

[Sukaina Majeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timeless Tales translated by Ayushmita Kundu is a collection of Bengali folk tales of Bengal and Bangladesh that have been translated for a larger audience. The book brings you stories that are not just rooted in the culture of Bengal but also Bangladesh, stories of the various villages and the stories that took form during kingdoms and British Raj and stories of animals and their magical side which is not only different from the panchatantra stories but also a narrative that doesn't match the usual books we read in our childhood.
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The translation is done in simple language and the translator wins full points for that. The stories are a perfect collection to give to someone who is just starting to read and should be picked up by parents who want to introduce children to new style of stories and especially translated literature that can be introduced to young readers.
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While the translation is done in simple language, some stories also falter the way they are ended as there are some Bengali phrases that couldn't be translated the way they were written in Bengali. I would recommend this book if you want to experience reading books that bring you closer to a culture you haven't witnessed before.

[Artistic Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Timeless Tales: Children's Stories From Bengali” is Crafted By Ayushmita Kundu. It's an enjoyable anthology that transports readers to Ferries's world of dreams. It's translated from the West Bengal and Bangladesh Folktales. This fiction is a Collection of well-known Bengali Authors like Upendra Kishore Ray, Sukumar Ray, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Abanindranath Tagore, etc.
This anthology is one of the most captivating books on my reading list, It took me on a tour of my childhood memory lane where most of the moments I'd spent reading storybooks.
The book has twenty-three chapters and it's a quick read book. It's crisp and to the point. Every story will deliver you moral values lessons. All of the tales are fascinating and magical. These timeless stories not only engage but also introduce kids to the prosperous cultural roots of West Bengal and its neighboring provinces.
The narration of the book is intriguing. The volume is well-paced, and a joyful encouraging reading book. The book cover is Kaleidoscopic and eye-catching. The language of the book is simple. I'll Recommend this book to all beginners and youngsters. I'd rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

[Bindu · Rating 5 out of 5]

🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆

𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔

🆀🅾🆃🅳#: Which book you have enjoyed reading as a kid?

#AOTD#: The Blue Umbrella

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Multiple Authors
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Paperback
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 152 pages
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: Bee Books
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Anthology

Whenever I read translated work I always have apprehension about the essence is being lost during the process. But when I had read this book I was quite happy.

𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔 is an Anthology of short stories which were originally written in Bengali and then translated into the English.

The book is a compilation of 23 stories that have been written keeping the kids as an audience. I loved the fact that the stories have covered various genres from the tales of prince, princes, fantasies and many more. The book is a delight for its readers as it holds the work from renowned writers from Bengal from their times. Since I could not read much books by bengali authors but I have always enjoyed reading their literary masterpiece.

This book is perfect for kids to inculcate the reading habits and made reading their hobby.


- #readwithbindu
- #reviewwithbindu
#bookwormbindz.

[Abinaya Annadurai · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Timeless Tales: Children's Tales From Bengali" written by Ayushmita Kundu is a beautiful anthology of thoughtful stories. There are 23 cute stories for children from Bengali literature.
There are stories from notable authors like Sukumar Roy, Abanindranath Tagore, Upendra Kishore Ray and Ishwar Chandra Vidya Sagar which take young readers to enchanting adventures. Along with the fun, there are some valuable insights on life too.
I felt nostalgic while reading as some of the stories are known to me from childhood. Some stories remind my beautiful childhood days.
The translation from Bengali to English is done well. The beautiful illustrations with delightful stories are easy to read. I loved the fascinating stories with moral values. This book is a must-read for kids to encourage their reading habits.
Overall, I loved this charming book and would strongly recommend it to all young readers.

[Swarnali Karar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to read a book that feels like reliving the joy of our childhood bedtime stories?

Timeless Tales: Children's Stories from Bengali is like stepping into a magical adventure which will whisk you away to far-off lands. The stories will connect its readers with different cultures and ages with this collection.

Each Bengali story translated into English by Ayushmita Kundu, written by famous authors like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Sukumar Ray, Bonophool, Radharani Debi etc is full of interesting characters and exciting plots. These are the stories that made our childhood bright and cheerful. Whether it's daring adventures or important lessons, these tales made our imagination soar when we were young.

The book is written in vey simple language and it's a must-read for children.

These stories are passed on from generation to generation; this is why the title of the book, "Timeless Tales" is justified. The book is a special treasure that brings smiles even to the adults.

[Zeph_writes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Cajoling our grandmothers to tell us stories of princes and princesses in the faraway lands, we would get lost in the world of make believe."

Now obviously being from a non Bengali household I am not familiar with how the stories are in their native language. But fret not, I am not here to tell you about how good the translation is. I'm just here to tell you how beautiful the book is. Each story is accompanied with a small drawing. Each dialogue feels innocent, each character feels in their own element. There is a certain charm about children books that is exclusive to just them, and where this book shines is the fact that despite having its child like curiousity, it isn't childish. Both adults as well as children can enjoy reading it.

All in all a very satisfying read. One that I had after a very long time. Translated works is a genre I enjoy quite a bit and well, eager to read more.

[Nisa Parveen Shaikh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of short stories by popular children's authors from West Bengal and Bangladesh. These stories were originally written in Bengali and in this book they are translated in English.

Reading this book was nostalgic for me because most of the stories in the collection are the ones I've heard from my uncles and aunts in my childhood. As a child I really enjoyed hearing them and now reading them as an adult made me joyful.

The translation of these stories is done well and I'm sure children will find it easy to read and understand. The book with its captivating stories and beautiful illustrations will delight every child (reader) reading it.

If you are looking for a children's book I'd suggest you to check this out!