Don't mess with Kali, cautions Patel on the opening page of this arresting, innovative, entertaining book. Who knew the Hindu pantheon could be so much fun? Patel, an animator for Pixar studios, breathes new life into old mythology, telling the exploits of various deties while drawing us in, literally, with his joyous and unexpected full-color illustrations. The book is awash in color, with vivid saffrons, purples, fuchsias and oranges adding a lushness to the tale he recounts. Both funny and informative, this is a fresh and breezy introduction to the Hindu Gods.

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