What happens when a foolish dragon falls into a cauldron and makes it too misshapen for it to function normally? What happens when the bottle of frogspell that you thought you were carrying turns out to be blueberries mixed with porridge? What happens when a young girl sets out to become a squire?Cauldron Spells was delightful, full of bubbles of laughter and fun. Accompanied by the dragon Adolphus and the rat Ferocious, Max and Olivia are set to turn the Arthurian world upside down. Fortunately, Caradoc the bard (who turns out to be someone quite special at the end) and Merlin are looking out for them.Cauldron Spells was full of magic - in the story and its telling. It filled me up with warmth and smiles, and a longing to read the other two in the series. Or more, if there are more.Title Cauldron SpellsAuthor C.J. BusbyGenre Arthurian FantasyRating (out of … [Read more...]
The Indian in the Cupboard
I picked up The Indian in the Cupboard full of apprehension. For a long time, I have intended to read this book. Yet, I have realised of late that I have read so much modern writing that older writing seems dry and slow. 1980 is rather a long time ago, and I was not sure how much I would enjoy the book. I was scared I would be offended by the term 'Indian'. I wondered if the part of my mind that studied English literature and critical theory would find the book racist or offensive.It did not. The Indian in the Cupboard was so charming that the part of my mind that could have judged it as racist dozed off just for a little while. I was not offended by the broken English the "Indian" spoke, or by the simple mind Little Bull seemed to have. I enjoyed the book tremendously.When Patrick gives Omri the plastic figure of an "Indian" for his birthday, Omri is unimpressed. Yet, the collection … [Read more...]
Sea of Tears
The cover illustration of Sea of Tears was just lovely. The wake of a boat curving into a big 'S', a little girl looking out at the sea ... It was a cover I could keep looking at.The book could have been better, though. I enjoyed much of it, but there were parts that left me cold. In many places, Jasmine's emotions were sudden and unexpected, leaving the reader far behind. I realise over and over again that the difference between fact and fiction is that fiction needs to be believable.Jasmine is a twelve-year-old whose parents decide to move from London to Barbados because they are increasingly alarmed at the things happening in London. Jasmine's cultural identity is beautifully portrayed as a mixture between her racial roots and upbringing, and London life around her. Jasmine's father speaks out of the pages of the book, emerging as a traditional father, who would not think of … [Read more...]
Berlin Olympics
I picked up Berlin Olympics assuming it was about a real person. Sure, I expected historical fiction, but my knowledge of Olympic swimmers is not good enough to have known that Eleanor Rhys Davies is not a real person.In the beginning, I was disappointed. I don't know why; I don't know what I expected. Yet, as I read on, the story grew on me. What I enjoyed most of all is how natural the whole story feels, echoing classics like The Diary of a Young Girl. Eleanor, like Anne Frank, spoke to me through the pages of the book, making me believe in her and understand her.Written as a series of diary entries, Berlin Olympics is the story of a young swimmer growing up in the 1930s. With Mosley and Hitler rising to power, Eleanor almost feels guilty that she does not experience the fear and hardships her Jewish friend Sarah does. The 1936 Olympics make all her questions rise to the fore. … [Read more...]
Storytelling at the British Council Library, Pune
Summer holidays are nearly over; here's my last activity before school begins. This storytelling session is for the little ones at a venue I always love!Date: Sunday, 31 May 2015Time: 3.00 to 4.00 pmVenue: British Council Library,PuneOverview: Stories are magical. When young children listen to stories, they develop into readers as they grow older. They begin to imagine and create, exploring worlds of their own. Interactive storytelling allows children to experience the magic of stories. Through role-play and drama, the children begin to express themselves and become immersed in each tale.Fees: Rs 350/-per participant for British Council Library Members; Rs 500/- for non-membersRegistrations open on a first come first served basis up to a maximum of 20 participants. For any further information please feel free to contact Abjesh Thorat on 41005328 or email … [Read more...]
Cat’s Cradle
Sometimes, especially when you read a lot of different kinds of books that you've picked up based solely on the cover, one book jumps out and takes you by surprise. It makes you read on and on, and it makes you chuckle even when you are in a public place and ought to be behaving decorously.Cat's Cradle was exactly like that. I shouted with laughter, giggled and grinned. I was drawn into the story of Cat and her search for her family, even though this is the sixth book in the series, and I have not read any of the others.I've read The Glass Swallow (which I enjoyed thoroughly) and Dragonfly (which I quite enjoyed), and I picked up Cat's Cradle a little sceptically because it is not the first of the series, and because I was not sure if it would be my kind of book. It was.Cat Royal - orphan, adventuress, actress - is a sparkling character, leaping out of the pages and into my … [Read more...]
Reading and Writing Workshop
I have one photograph with the children at Cedarwood! … [Read more...]
Reading and Writing Workshop at Cedarwood
Half of my reading and writing workshop at Cedarwood is over, and I've finally convinced myself that I am not going to be taking any photographs. I keep intending to, and then I get so involved in everything we're doing that somewhere along the line, I forget. We've done so much in the last few days. Here are a few things that stand out.One of the girls came up with the idea of a magical die. The die has letters of the alphabet on it, not numbers. The character in the story, Gouri, rolls the die and sees what letter she gets. If she makes a wish starting with that letter, it will come true. The most beautiful detail of all is that Gouri found the die in a hole in a rainbow!One child came up with the idea of a magical ring with a spell written on the inside. Learn the spell by heart, put on the ring and say the spell aloud. The gem begins to glow and then casts a laser beam that … [Read more...]
Pippi in the South Seas
No, I have not yet Pippi Longstocking. Maybe I should apologise. In my defence, I have wanted to read it for very long.When I read Pippi in the South Seas, I realised why it's so famous and why so many people love it so much. Pippi is a classic in a world of her own. She is not like Anne of Green Gables. She is not like Sara, the little princess; nor is she like Little Lord Fauntleroy. She is in a class of her own.During the very first chapter of Pippi in the South Seas, I was chuckling aloud. Yes, there were parts that I did not enjoy. Yes, I found some parts a little outdated. Yet, the story is so charming, and Pippi makes for such a vivacious protagonist, that all in all, I'm ready for more stories featuring Pippi Longstocking! From red hair that sticks out in two plaits to a fierce independence that marks Pippi's character, the book was a … [Read more...]
Billy the Bird
Dick King-Smith is an author I love. Whenever I pick up a book by him, I do so with complete faith in the story. As usual, I was not disappointed.Billy the Bird is the story of a little child who becomes weightless when the moon is full, but can remember nothing of his nightly flights when the next day dawns. Billy's sister is the one who witnesses his nocturnal flights, and keeps his secret - because no one will believe her if she tells them her brother can fly.The story of a girl, a boy, a cat, a cat-burglar, a guinea-pig, and many more, Billy the Bird is a charming illustrated tale for children.Title Billy the BirdAuthor Dick King-SmithGenre Children's Fiction/Fantasy/Animal StoriesRating (out of 5) 4Age-group 7+ … [Read more...]