From celebrated author Namita Moolani Mehra and acclaimed artist Khoa Le of Say My Name comes a meditative and hope-filled picture book about the greatest mother of all: Ganga, the holy river that runs through India and is beloved by millions. Young Ananda knows all about the goddesses’ healing waters and soothing powers but has never experienced them for herself...until now.
Born in a glacier, high up in the Himalayas.
A river worshipped by millions.
A goddess.
With her Mamma sick, Ananda and her Maasi, her aunt, make their way to the great river Ganga to experience the powerful tradition of bathing in the river’s healing waters. It’s within the Great Mother’s swirling embrace that Ananda embarks on a healing and eye-opening journey, finding more than she ever could have imagined along the way.
From celebrated author Namita Moolani Mehra and award-winning artist Khoa Le comes a story about the peace, healing, and hope nature often provides.
Praise for The Greatest River:
"A quietly affecting story about nature providing emotional succor...An earthy palette, etching-like detailing, and watery flowing lines lend Le’s immersive digital renderings an emotional heft that movingly pairs with the story as it traces Ananda’s transformation from worried to consoled." —Publishers Weekly
"A great sense of peace and calm felt by those who love the river is translated to readers...This piece of literature beautifully represents the Ganga river and serves to educate readers on the Hindu beliefs and practices surrounding the river." —School Library Journal
"The serene digital illustrations complement the emotional arc recounted in the gentle text…about the “magic” of India’s Ganga, a 'holy river' worshipped as a goddess." —Horn Book magazine
Namita Moolani Mehra is food and family obsessed. Namita is a traditionally published children's book author and the founder of the social-impact business Indian Spicebox. Namita’s published books include the picture books The Light within You and Anni Dreams of Biryani. She has also authored the children’s cookbooks The Magic Spicebox and Superfoods for Superheroes. Namita currently lives in Singapore with her husband and two children. Visit her at namitamehra.com.
Khoa Le is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is the author and illustrator of numerous picture books, including Say My Name by Joanna Ho. Her work can be described as whimsical and dreamy with a bit of fantasy. She is the winner of the Samsung KidsTime Authors' Award grand prize (Singapore) and the second runner-up for the Scholastic Picture Book Award (Singapore). Visit her at khoaleartwork.com.
