Magic potions.Superpowers. Word games.Adjectives, homophones, homonyms, mazes.Codes, recitation, performance.What fun my first reading programme was! The first book we read together was Trouble with Magic by Asha Nehemiah. A reading programme involves more than simply reading the book, though, so we used our imaginations. What would we get if we put different ingredients together? A medicine? A magic potion? An explosion?Each of the children came up with something different, and it was such fun! Take a look at just one of them. Our second book was Shrinking Vanita by Manjula Padmanabhan. Apart from word games, where we attempted to unscramble words from the book, we created our own superheroes. What if everyone suddenly shrinks to half their size? … [Read more...]
Amelia Bedelia Means Business
Amelia Bedelia. The name just asks you to read it aloud. And what a character Amelia is! As with the very best fictional characters (I'm thinking of Anne Shirley, Pippi Longstocking and the like), Amelia's personality leaps out of the pages. She makes you chuckle at her sheer optimism, at her zest and her drive. Obstacles? What are those? Amelia sees Suzanne's new bike and knows she has to get one for herself. But her parents are unwilling to give her an advance Christmas-cum-birthday present. What they are willing to do, however, is meet her halfway. If she can find a way to pay half the price, they'll pay the other half. Amelia and her father shake hands, and they have a deal. The problem, though, is Amelia's tendency to take things literally. Idioms are puzzling. Ways of speaking make no sense. So, when she's working at a restaurant and a customer asks her for 'a pie - and step … [Read more...]
Hungry to Read
If there was one thing that could push you to read, what would that be? How would you get someone who doesn't like reading to read? When Arjun's teacher announces a competition in school, Arjun is thrilled - until he learns that it is a reading competition. He is no reader; he likes logic, facts and all things mathematical. The problem is that the prize is so attractive that Arjun is tempted. The question, though, is how far he is willing to go to help his class to win. The reasons I chose Hungry to Read for my reading programme are very different from the reasons I chose every other book. More than having enjoyed the book, I love the possibilities it has when it comes to activities and conversations. Here is some of what I will do with the book. Scavenger hunt I love book scavenger hunts! We'll do a quick one with this book, simply to start a conversation on the different … [Read more...]
How to Be a Writer
My online creative writing programme served as the perfect excuse to get a copy of How to Be a Writer. And as I read it, every few lines, I found myself thinking, "This, exactly this!" For the first time, I highlighted sections all over the book (ebook, not physical book, just saying) simply because so much of it resonated with me. In some places, I was drawn to the words as a writer; in others, as a teacher of creative writing. Instead of my usual kind of review, I'm going to share tiny excerpts of the book. If I talk too freely about a story I am going to write, chances are it will never be written. I have talked it to death. This is me! I can never, ever talk about my current works in progress. I used to think it was superstitious nonsense, but I realise that what Bond says above is true for me. It's also the reason why I don't usually plot my stories. If I know what's going … [Read more...]
Giggi and Daddy and Four Others
Yes, this post is about five picture books I read last week, but Giggi and Daddy is special, so special that I think it's probably one of my favourite picture books of all time! I bought a bunch of books at Pickle Yolk Books' birthday sale and ah! I could read all of them over and over again. And on that note, if you haven't yet had a look at their sale yet, do. It is on right through the month of October. Of my treasures, I read The Tree Boy first. I was intrigued by the title and the illustrations, plus, the writer is a friend. I've read and loved several of her other books - It's a Laddoo Party! on StoryWeaver is one that I've used multiple times during workshops, I attended the launch of her award-winning The Clever Tailor ... It was time to read another. And I loved it! The artwork, the layout and the story itself come together to create a gorgeous, … [Read more...]
Creative Writing with Children
Every time I work with children on creative writing, I realise why I enjoy it so much. Each interaction is full of laughter, fun, and most joyous of all--moments when children finally understand something and it shows on their faces. I'm still elated after yesterday's online creative writing session! Since I launched the programme on the 5th of October, I've had a regular routine. Early in the morning, I log on to my forum. What will I find? Which of the writers would have contributed something delightful? One morning, I discovered a letter to be placed in a high technology envelope that could be opened and closed with a button. Another morning, I discovered a list of words that one of the young writers loves - goofy, amazing, surprise ... And soon, I will find a set of limericks. I can't wait to read them! Yesterday, as usual, my session was full of all kinds of activities. I … [Read more...]
A Week of Reviews
As a writer, receiving (nice) reader reviews is always delightful. This week has been special!One child read How I Feel as part of his weekly library activity and enjoyed it thoroughly. When he found out that I was the author, he was thrilled because he's read Dragonflies, Jigsaws and Seashells too!And that was just one of the many responses I got from readers - young and not so young - this week!Handwritten notes are lovely, aren't they? The girl in the picture, I'm told, is little Shraavya, not me. I love the story "Treasure Hunt" too, so much so that that's the story I chose to read on World Read Aloud Day 2018. Take a look at the video here.And yes, do tell me if you like it! I don't mind if you don't include a picture of yourself. Not everyone can do self-portraits like Shraavya! Explore Dragonflies, Jigsaws, and Seashells Another … [Read more...]
Online Creative Writing Programme (ages 9 to 11)
Please note that registrations are now closed for this batch. To find out about the next batch for this age-group, please fill this form, or follow me on my social media handles - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Outline Different kinds of poetryMaking a story engagingCreating believable charactersWorking with plot and settingGenreStructureDialogue writingEditing and publishing Details Age-group: 9-11 years Start Date: 5th October 2020 End Date: 28th December 2020 Online Interactions will be held every Monday from 4 pm to 5pm. Please note that Monday the 16th of November will be a holiday for Diwali. Fee: ₹15,000 per participant (payable via UPI to seshanvarsha@okhdfcbank or bank transfer. International payments may be made via PayPal to seshanvarsha@gmail.com) This includes 12 online interactions, access to a private forum to share … [Read more...]
Online Creative Writing Programme (ages 12 to 14)
Please note that registrations are now closed for this batch. To find out about the next batch for this age-group, please fill this form, or follow me on my social media handles - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. “I’ve written five poems. Will you read them?” “I’ve written three stories. How can I get them published?” “What is self-publishing?” "How can I have my book sold at Crossword?" This 12-week creative writing programme seeks to answer all these questions and more. It will guide children through their creative journeys. Participants will explore a range of literature to hone their writing skills, working towards finding a unique voice and an engaging storytelling style. Outline Different kinds of literature Poetry, prose and drama A short history of English literature Writing what you know Writer's discipline Copyright and intellectual property Heroes and … [Read more...]
Number the Stars
What does it mean to be brave? And how can we help one another to be brave? Number the Stars is a beautiful work of historical fiction set in Denmark during the second world war. I love historical fiction that comes alive to me. Some time ago, I wrote about ten works of middle-grade historical fiction set in ten different places, and if I had to rewrite the piece, I would add Number the Stars to the list. Annemarie, who lives with her family in Copenhagen, knows stories about courage, but she is sure that if her bravery is ever tested, she will fall short of the mark. Other people are brave, not she. In tales about the Resistance and stories about their beloved king, people are brave. Not she. However, just before the Jewish New Year, the rabbi announces that Jewish homes will be raided. Annemarie's neighbours, the Rosens, must flee. Young Ellen comes to stay with … [Read more...]
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