Jaya's Golden Necklace: A Silk Road Tale by Peter Linenthal

Jaya's Golden Necklace: A Silk Road Tale Reviews

• 
  Melissa

  I'm always looking for books that feature diverse characters. I was happy to find this book on *Netgalley. I'm always trying to expose him to different cultures and religions. It is important to me that he understands that all people are people and it doesn't matter their race, gender, sexuality, or religion. Though coming from a house of atheists/agnostics he doesn't have much of a concept of religion.
  
  Jaya's Golden Necklace tells the tale of a little girl whose mother is sent to the kings palace to bake her famous apricot cake for the king's birthday. Before her mother leaves she give Jaya a golden necklace with three gold coins. Jaya then finds out her father has also been summoned by the king. He has been asked to carve a statue of Buddha the peaceful one. From the gold coins on Jaya's necklace spring the gods Shiva, Inanna and Hercules. They help Jaya on her journey to the palace with her father.
  
  I loved the illustrations in this book. They almost reminded me of stained glass with the colors and how they pictures were outlined. It really was beautiful to look at. I was afraid my son would have a hard time keeping up as he doesn't know much about the gods (ok to be truthful neither do I). But he kept up and seemed to enjoy the book. He loved the part were Jaya dons the lion skin.
  
  I love how at the end historical information is give and you even get the recipe for Jaya's mom's famous apricot cake...I might even give it a go since I love apricots! I actually really liked this book and think it is great for introducing children to Buddhism.
  
  4 out of 5 stars!
  
  
  
  *I received a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
  **This book was read with my special needs son who is severely learning disabled. The review reflects not only my opinion but his as well
• 
  Carla

  This was an interesting tale taking place in the Kushan Empire long ago. It is the story of Jaya whose mother has been called to the palace by the king to make him an apricot cake. She gives Jaya a necklace of 3 coins that her mother gave her when she was young. It will help Jaya while her mother is gone. The next day, her father gets commanded to make a statue of the Peaceful Budha for the king's birthday. He only has 2 days to make it and get it to the capital. When Jaya makes a wish to know what the Peaceful Budha looks like, Shiva, the lord of creation appears and tells her to think peaceful thoughts. She, her father and Shiva carve a beautiful statue. ON the way to the palace, they stop for the night and Jaya is scared, she again makes a wish and the goddess Inanna appears to her to assure her that she is brave and she is able to go to sleep. They meet up with robbers when they are almost at the palace and when Jaya makes a wish, the god Hercules appears and gives her a lion skin which she uses to scare off the robbers. They get to the palace and the king is so pleased with the statue that he lets Jaya's mom return home with them. This is a story that mixes culture, religion, tradition, ancient civilizations and shows strength if you believe in yourself. There are two pages of information about the Kushan Empire at the back of the book. A great story especially if you are learning about other cultures and ancient civilzations.
  
  Netgalley provided a copy of this book for me to read and review.
• 
  Jezire C Akin

  I have been for some diverse children's books to read and came across this one on netgalley.
  
  Netgalley kindly approved me to read this in exchange for my honest review.
  
  I am very pleased with the structure of this story.
  
  I thought it told a fun concise but religiously and culturally diverse story.
  
  Jaya was cute and it was nice to see her love for her parents in the story and their love for her.
  
  I thought the illustrations, although simple, were perfect for the story and the bright colors and backgrounds really evoked the feel of India and I just thought it went well with the story.
  
  I also LOVED the end where it gave instructions to bake the cake mentioned, some history on the culture and religion and story origins and basically provided hands on activities to relate to the story. That was an awesome addition to the book.
  
  Overall, would recommend it.
• 
  Angel

  This is a story of Jaya and how her mother and father were called upon to assist for King Kanishka's birthday. With her mama being called to the Kingdom to bake the King a cake, she leaves a very special necklace with Jaya. Jaya then assists her father in making a statue for the King that they have to deliver in a very short amount of time. During their travels to the Kingdom, Jaya's necklace comes in very handy. There is great information in the last couple of pages of a time many have forgotten. Great Story! ARC through Netgalley for an honest opinion.
• 
  Jayna

  This book is perfect for exposing children to a new culture, which is something I always tried to do while teaching.
  I really love the information section in the back.
  
  I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Lauren White

  I received this book free on netgalley