Earlier this month, I saw posts on social media about The Pink Dress--the story of a girl who wants a pink dress and will not let anything stand in the way. I was uncomfortable about the stereotype of a girl wanting pink. I couldn't help thinking about how my book clubbers would respond to the book.And yet, I knew that a hOle book by Shabnam Minwalla wouldn't be as simple as that. Besides, stereotypes exist for a reason, and why must every story deliberately contradict an idea that many would identify with?With all these thoughts in mind, I started reading.And I loved the book.Yes, Kanmani, the protagonist of the story, wants a pink dress. But that's just one layer of this deceptively simple story. As we read on, we understand where she comes from and why the pink dress is out of reach. Just like in When Jiya Met Urmila, we see class divides, which are so complex and … [Read more...]
Maya and the Robot
What a charming middle-grade book!I stumbled upon Maya and the Robot completely by accident. I was looking for something by Maya Angelou, and this one showed up. It looked interesting, so I picked it up--and thoroughly enjoyed it!Maya and the Robot begins slowly. When I started reading it, I wondered if it would be a predictable story about a genius girl who finds a friend in a robot she creates because her best friends are now in another class. It is, and it isn't. For one, the story becomes far more believable because Maya doesn't create the robot from scratch all by herself. Instead, she finds one designed by an engineer at Stanford and tweaks it based on notes she finds, as well as research. For another, the story has many more layers, making it a satisfying, endearing tale.The robot Ralph drives the story. Through him, we get to know all the others, from Christopher … [Read more...]
My Name Is Khadija
Do you like your name? Have you ever thought of changing it? I know lots of people who've changed their names--including my grandmother--but I've always loved mine. I love the letter 'V' and I love what my name means ... unlike Khadija in the story. Why couldn't her parents have chosen a simpler name? Like Priya or Hema, for instance.My Name Is Khadija is a humorous, enjoyable read. Mariyam Fatima's words make Khadija come alive to us, and Isha Nagar's illustrations are full of joy.Khadija's stubbornness, her childlike questions, and her determination to get the best deal are delightful. When her father tells her that Khadija was Prophet Muhammad's first wife, Khadija's response is perfect, exactly what I could imagine a child saying -- But I don't want to be anyone's wife.Right through the story, I found myself chuckling at the pictures, especially at the expressions on … [Read more...]
The Race for Rugda
The Race for Rugda by Lesley D. Biswas and Anupama Ajinkya Apte is a heartwarming story for young readers. In some ways, it's an old-fashioned tale, one that helps us believe goodness and kindness will always be rewarded. Yet, it conveys this message in the sweetest possible way without hitting us on the head with its moral!Savita's mother has been ill for a while. When she's finally regaining her appetite and her strength, all she wants is rugda--a mushroom that people in Savita's village forage for in the woods. Savita is determined to find the mushrooms for her mother, but when people need her help with other things, what can she do?As the story progresses, we hope that things will turn out for the best--and they do. Ultimately, we finish this delightful Hook Book with a smile, reassured that all is well with the world!TitleThe Race for RugdaAuthorIllustratorLesley D. … [Read more...]
Song of the Asunam
What a gorgeous book! Even though I've seen Song of the Asunam dozens of times on my social media feed, I had no idea what to expect because I avoid reading reviews before I read a book that looks exciting to me. And this book by C.G. Salamander and Rajiv Eipe is absolutely stunning!I opened the book and spent several minutes just gazing at the end papers. Six-eyed lions with trunks and tusks. Striped hyenas with manes. Tiny elephants as high as grass. Snakes with legs. Each of the mythical beasts featured there is a work of art.And then comes the story. Sweetness and adventure come together in Vetri's tale as he trains himself to be a hunter. But then, are the monsters he hunts truly monsters? Is slaying the monster the only way to save his village?I loved every page of Song of the Asunam. The words and artwork come together to create a rich experience for the reader, an … [Read more...]
Nami and Jhalak: Stinkypur Guardians
The last book we will be reading at the next edition of my book club is Nami and Jhalak: Stinkypur Guardians! It's just a few months old, and I can't wait to share it with my book clubbers. Here's what we'll do as we read. Bird Quiz Nami and Jhalak get inspired to act when they find a lapwing stuck to a bucket of paint in the canal. Do you know what a lapwing is? What regular birds can you identify? Let's find out! Write a Poem! When we provide children with the right scaffolding, they write much better! Together, we'll work on a poem inspired by nature. Picture Postcards Nami and Jhalak send picture postcards to convince the authorities to save Town Park. I'll introduce my book clubbers to picture postcards and then we'll make our own! Join a programme! I'm always nervous about reading my own books with … [Read more...]
Banian Buddies
Banian Buddies has all the ingredients of a story my book clubbers will love--humour, quirky characters, and a big mission. It also provides the perfect opportunity for all kinds of discussions. Do we think of the environment as more important than people? How much do we trust celebrities who champion products and ideas? Waiting to see what my book clubbers think! Making an Ad I love working with ads because every child has come across them in some form or the other! The children in the story see Sa Ni Dha Pa Sundari's face plastered all over the city, urging viewers to conserve nature. When I give them my book clubbers a product to advertise, what will their catchphrase be? What kind of character would be the face of their ad? Trees Several books have allowed us to explore animals and birds around us. What about trees? What trees … [Read more...]
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
Three years ago, we read Because of Winn-Dixie at my book club, and we loved it. I've been mulling over Mercy Watson since even before that. It's shorter than most of the other books we read at my book club. Would it be challenging enough? Or too childish?Finally, I decided I would give it a shot next month. Shorter books give us the time to do more activities! Plus, especially as most of my book clubbers have not encountered Kate DiCamillo's work, what better place to introduce a wonderful writer to them? Pig or Dog? The best thing about using a well known book at my book club is the range of resources I can find online! Before we read the book, we will discuss what my book clubbers think will happen in the story, based on what they see on the cover. And then, we'll have a debate--pig or dog? Which makes for a better pet and why? Let's try to … [Read more...]
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
I read The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips several years ago. And like most of Michael Morpurgo's books, it's a classic. In the cruellest, most inhuman of times, we find stories of courage and love - Morpurgo never fails to remind us of that.Through a series of diary entries, we learn about 11-year-old Lily, who lives in Slapton in 1943. The war seems very far away, even though several "townies" now study in the same school as Lily. Life goes on as usual--until the people of Slapton are told they must evacuate in seven weeks. Lily's grandfather refuses to move, but the time comes when he accepts that he will help the war effort by moving, so he does. The problem is that Lily's precious cat, Tips, goes missing, and everyone begins to hunt for her, including the Yankee soldiers who are now in Slapton.As the hunt for Tips goes on, relationships are formed, and these relationships drive the … [Read more...]
The Impossible Pet
I loved The Impossible Pet by Jane De Suza! It's a delightful story--the perfect blend of laughter and seriousness. Here's what we'll do as we read it at my book club next month. An Impossible Pet Look at the cover. Which of the animals featured there would be an impossible pet? And if one of them came into your life, how would you deal with it? What would you name it, and what do you think would make the pet fun? An Essay Essays are boring--at least, most children think so. But what about an opening paragraph like this?What I like most in the world is my pet. My pet's name is Silent Sunny Gekkonidae. And he is the only crocodile which can climb walls.I'd love to see where my book clubbers take the story from here! Sharing I love using whiteboards and sticky notes in class. As we read the book, we'll take a look at … [Read more...]