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Day Two: Exploring the World of Stories

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Two more children joined the reading workshop at Friends Library today! With seven children in the cosy children's section of Friends Library, Day Two of the reading workshop was a day of learning. We spoke about the publishing process and copyright. We designed book covers. We shared myths from around the world. And we had a quiz to round things up. Tomorrow promises to be fun too! … [Read more...]

Day One: Exploring the World of Stories

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As of yesterday, I had no registrations for my reading workshop. I decided to go to Friends Library anyway. Three children came. And then one more. And one more. And one more promises to come tomorrow - all in all, it was delightful. Among other things, we played Pass the Story - a cross between Pictionary and Chinese Whispers, with the element of stories added into it. Here's how it works: Participant One picks a chit. Suppose it says 'Geronimo Stilton'. Participant One draws Geronimo Stilton and passes on his sketch. Participant Two makes a guess. Suppose Participant Two guesses 'rat'. He writes 'rat' on a sheet of Paper and passes it on. Participant Three draws. Participant Four guesses. And so on. It's a hilarious game. Harry Potter became Wimpy Kid. And Sleeping Beauty became Barbie, as did one of the seven dwarfs. The world of stories continues tomorrow - here's … [Read more...]

Biskitwali

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My dance teacher regularly gives the Salvation Army children food and biscuits, so everyone there, from the workers to the watchman's son, knows her. The little ones have given her a name, too - 'Biskitwali'. The most endearing feature of the epithet is that no offence is intended , and none is taken. Yesterday, I parked my bike outside my teacher's house and a cheeky child came up to me with his bright smile. "Dance class," he proclaimed. I nodded. "Dance class?" inquired another child. "Haan!" The tone said 'naturally, don't you know even that?'. "Tereko nahin malum kya?" Top-speed speech, barely completing each word, heedless of grammar. I took off my helmet and scarf. "But what is that?" the second child asked in Hindi. "What is 'dance class'?" "Arre!" the first one said, as if talking to a dunce. "Wo biskitwali hai, na? Wo actually dance teacher hai. Tereko … [Read more...]

The Macmillan Book Review Contest

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Write a review; win a prize! And guess which book is on the list for the Macmillan Book Review Contest? You can write as many reviews as you want from the list. If you're in the 7th, 8th or 9th standard, do write a review of The Story-Catcher!  Write a review before the 30th of June and you could win a Macmillan Book Hamper! … [Read more...]

Parents Kids Choice Awards

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I'm thrilled to be shortlisted for the Parents Kids Choice Awards! Those who have already voted, thank you, and please spread the word (before the 6th of May). Those who have not, please do vote! Here is how - 1) Click on this link - http://www.rivokids.com/pkca 2) Go to I want to vote for Age group: 10 to 15 years 3) Click on The Story-Catcher among Indian writers 4) Vote for anything in the other categories. 5) Enter your details (name, email and city) The picture should help you too! … [Read more...]

Goodbye Gurukul

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I had decided what I would write about today, but was moved to tears more than once by everything students and colleagues from Vishwashanti Gurukul said to me, wrote to me and gave me. One student said, "I used to hate Shakespeare, but you made me fall in love with Macbeth." Another confessed, "I have never taken English seriously but thanks to you, English is one of the most interesting subjects." Yet another wrote, "You have changed my view towards English as a language." And finally, the cake they ordered with the most charming message ever: … [Read more...]