Totsakan: The Demon King and the Hermit's Riddle
on Goodreads (3)
What’s inside...
The book follows the epic journey of a young hero who must solve the riddles posed by the wise hermit to defeat Totsakan, the formidable demon king threatening their land. Along the way, the hero learns valuable lessons about courage, wisdom, and the power of wit over brawn. In a parallel story, Catt and Rawin, two 14-year-olds, disappear during a school visit to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and find themselves amidst a bloody war between demon hordes and Prince Ram’s monkey army. Armed with martial arts skills and intelligence, they struggle to survive and overcome the Demon King, who seeks to kill them to prevent his own downfall. As they navigate this dangerous world, they realize the peril extends to their own world, compelling them to fulfill their destiny.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-17
Length
280 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Totsakan was so eager to solve the hermit's riddle?
What qualities do the characters show that you admire?
How did Totsakan’s choices affect the other characters in the story?
What would you have done differently if you were in Totsakan’s place?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the motives of each character, enhancing their empathy and understanding of different perspectives.
Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the story to help your child develop critical thinking skills.
Relate the story's themes to real-life situations your child might encounter to make the discussion more relevant and engaging.
Use expressive reading techniques, altering your tone and volume, to make the story more vivid and capture your child’s imagination.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, the protagonist faces various challenges that require creative thinking and decision-making, demonstrating the importance of problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills in everyday situations, such as resolving disputes with peers or overcoming obstacles in school projects.
Example Lesson: The value of humility
Explanation: The hermit in the story imparts the wisdom of humility to the Demon King Totsakan, illustrating that true wisdom comes from recognizing one's own limitations and learning from others.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of being humble and learning from others’ experiences and knowledge in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The power of persistence
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, the protagonist persists in his quest, embodying the lesson that perseverance can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to keep trying in the face of challenges, whether it’s completing a difficult school assignment or mastering a new skill in sports or arts.
Example Lesson: Ethical decision-making
Explanation: Totsakan is faced with choices that test his morals, and through these choices, the narrative conveys the complexities of ethical decision-making.
Real-World Application: This lesson can guide children to make morally sound decisions in real-life situations, such as choosing honesty over deceit.
Example Lesson: Respect for different perspectives
Explanation: The interactions between Totsakan and the hermit highlight the importance of understanding and respecting different viewpoints.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and cultivate empathy, promoting better communication and relationships in their community.