Caitlin is sure her disguise will work. She will escape from the camp that is supposed to keep her safe from the monster that is taking over the world. She will save her friend. Caitlin dons a chef hat, and even writes 'chef' on it. If that's not convincing, what is? Unfortunately, she looks like a ten-year-old. Also, she has always found reading and writing difficult, so she's spelt 'chef' with an 's', and she's put the 'e' the wrong way around. Somehow, the guard is not convinced that she's a chef. Caitlin is an absolutely charming character. Lonely and friendless, she has no idea what she's going to do during her summer holidays, especially since her mother refuses to let her adopt animals and bring them home. When Caitlin finds a little creature that looks like a prawn, everything changes. Before she knows it, the creature begins to grow. It can control its shape and as it begins … [Read more...]
Sophie Someone
When I started reading Sophie Someone, I simply could not figure it out. I was also a little put off by the idea that the whole story was told from the point of view of a pigeon. I have no love for pigeons. But then, something made me frown and say, 'Let's give this another shot.' I turned to the back of the book and saw a little pie-chart put there by the publisher. The pie-chart said the book was mainly about secrets. A small part of the book would deal with pigeons. And a bigger part would deal with word play. Eyes a little wider, I began reading the book again--and could not stop until I had finished. And finally, when the last page was over, I found myself thinking, 'Oh, my God! That was such an incredible book! Are there really people in the world apart from me who understand it?' Sophie Someone is an unusual book, to say the least. Sophie has a secret and she … [Read more...]
So Many Books, So Little Time!
I've been reading so many lovely books that I think it's finally time to write about them. When I am on a train with co-passengers I don't want to talk to (which is 99.999% of the time), I end up reading almost throughout the journey. And when it's a 20-hour journey ... Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot is what I would call an important book. Whenever I'm choosing a book to recommend to a child, I want to choose the right book. And sometimes, the 'right' book is not one that I personally enjoy. I recommend Agatha Christie, though I don't like mysteries much. I recommend Percy Jackson, though I didn't enjoy the stories I read much. Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot is like that. A child's take on depression, it speaks of simplicity and the importance of being non-judgmental. What would you do if your father suddenly became depressed? Would you think that the terrible yoot has got … [Read more...]
Reading Challenge Workshops at MIT Gurukul
Six workshops with six different batches. Six hours of workshopping, one session after another. And it was so much fun! MIT Gurukul is using a mixed bunch of reading challenge books this year. Some children are reading Space Hop, some Creepy House, and some The Big Friendly Read. So, beginning with Grade V, I decided to move away from all the stories they've been reading, and I read out Bholu and the Thief, followed by a word puzzle. The children read, participated ... And absolutely loved the Word Search! With Prep-II, I read out a delightful book by Sir Quentin Blake - The Five of Us. Angie can see very well even from a distance. Ollie, who wears round dark glasses, can hear very well. Simona and Mario (who happens to be in a wheelchair) can lift ridiculously heavy things. And Eric ... I won't tell you what makes him amazing! Participative, enthusiastic children … [Read more...]
The Joys of Conducting Workshops
There are so many things I love about conducting workshops! I just finished a five-day creative writing workshop at Baner, and it was, as always, good fun. We began with limericks, which are always exciting. Sometimes, they're funny; sometimes, just fun. Here are a few the children came up with during the session. Day two introduced the children to the wonderful Shel Silverstein. Every time I introduce his poetry to children, I fall in love with it all over again! I used his poetry workshop kit, and here's an epigram that one of the children wrote. And that leads me to what always makes me laugh with delight during each writing workshop I conduct - imaginative spelling! Here's some more: Surprises. Workshops are full of surprises. This creative writing workshop led me to a comic inspired by Monty Python! And the sense of satisfaction at the end when you realise that ten hours … [Read more...]
Reading Challenge at Indus International School
"The circus has come to Pune!""Yes, and it can fly!""Yes, and there are gymnasts jumping from the ceiling!""Yes, and there is a flying unicorn!""Yes, and there are singing koalas!""Yes, and the tiger can bark!""Yes, and the dogs are miaowing!" I love playing 'Yes, and ...' with children. They are just so imaginative. We created a crazy circus together, full of dancing dragonflies, flying kangaroos and a robot or two thrown in. With the older children, we spoke about animal rights and bullying, with one group presenting a very balanced idea of the circus - as entertainment, as a home for strays, and as a nightmare for wild animals. I ended with a story from The Story-Catcher, "The Circus Boy", which led to a lovely conversation about child labour and bullying. "How many of you have never been bullied?" I asked.Not one child raised a hand."How many of you can honestly say … [Read more...]
What animal are you?
Have you ever played Chinese Pictionary? I used it as part of my junior workshop for the British Library's Reading Challenge this year. It's a combination of Chinese Whispers and Pictionary, and it promises to be hilarious. Especially with young children, or people who cannot draw, it becomes a crazy game that is loads of fun. Here's how it goes. The first child got this chit: He had to draw it, and this is what he drew: (In his defence, he's not even seven years old) The next child looked at the picture and tried to guess what it was. She thought it was this: The next child saw just this word and tried to draw it. This is what he drew: And the last child had to guess what it was. She guessed it was this: Each time I play this with children, it's just so much fun! Here's another one: And another: … [Read more...]
Solve the Mystery!
Of all the workshops I conduct, the ones at the British Library remain special. Maybe it's because that's where it all began. For the Animal Agents Reading Challenge, I conducted my first pair of workshops at the new premises. Logic, imagination and laughter are such a delicious combination! For the seniors, I conducted a session called Solve the Mystery! The children began by being detectives themselves. Each one took on an alias. Then, by asking one question to each other participant, they had to figure out who was who. Everyone was unmasked quite rapidly - we have many detectives in the making! What was most fun was the logic puzzles. Based on three or four clues, they had to solve puzzles I gave them. I was astounded by how quickly they did it! The workshop for the younger ones was fun in completely different ways. Will put up that story soon! … [Read more...]
Reading Challenge at the British Library
I can't believe that this is the fifth year that I'm conducting workshops for the British Library's Reading Challenge! I began with ... Then came the challenge that probably has my favourite set of books: I thoroughly enjoyed the workshops in my third year with the Reading Challenge: With Dahl, you can't go wrong, so of course the challenge last year was exciting: And now, for this year, we have: I've read a few of the Animal Agents books, and they were good fun. I'm all set for my workshops this Saturday too - puzzles, games, creative writing ... Here's a sneak peek of what we're going to do. How many animals can you find? All the hints will be put up after the workshop! … [Read more...]
Children’s Day at the Writers’ Club – Who Am I?
“I know that,” I said, irritably. “But that’s no reason to lose our heads. People are being downright careless, out on the streets in broad daylight, not even dressed in Muggle clothes, swapping rumours.” I threw a sharp, sideways glance at Dumbledore, hoping he was going to tell me something, but he didn’t, so I went on. “A fine thing it would be if, on the very day YouKnow-Who seems to have disappeared at last, the Muggles found out about us all. I suppose he really has gone, Dumbledore?” Who am I? I live in Oxford College in Jordan. My Uncle Asriel is researching something called Dust. There are evil people in my world, people who snatch children and cut them away from their daemons. I'm going to find out who they are. Who am I? I followed a rabbit down a hole because I was curious to know what I would find. Who am I? I live with my parents and my brother. My favourite … [Read more...]
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