Some time ago, I mentioned a book review of The Story-Catcher by 9-year-old Arushi Upadhyaya. Finally sharing the whole review here! It made me smile all over again. … [Read more...]
My First Violin Recital
I'm conducting a Writing Club at St. Mary's School for 25 girls from classes VI and VII. Every time I give them a writing assignment, I will be publishing the work I like best on my blog. I will be editing the work very slightly, if at all. It's Friday again, and time to publish. This week, each girl wrote a poem inspired by any experience. I chose this one, by Advika Dhar from class VII, because of its simplicity and choice of form. I have preserved the original haiku, unedited. My First Violin Recital - Advika Dhar Camera lights flashed, Butterflies in my stomach, My first violin show. … [Read more...]
Pop! Goes the Music
I'm conducting a Writing Club at St. Mary's School for 25 girls from classes VI and VII. Every time I give them a writing assignment, I will be publishing the work I like best on my blog. I will be editing the work very slightly, if at all. This week, each girl wrote a poem inspired by a piece of music of her choice. I chose this one, by Jayde MacFarland from class VII, because I enjoyed the rhythm of the poem.On what inspired her, Jayde wrote: This poem is based on pop music. I felt inspired to do this as it is the kind of music I really listen to. Whenever it comes to country and jazz, I fall asleep. Pop is a modern style of music and many people have contributed to it, which is why it inspires me. Pop! Goes the Music - Jayde MacFarland I need a beat, I need a song, I need some words to sing along. I don't need rhythm, I don't need blues, No jizz or jazz or country clues. I don't … [Read more...]
The Story-Catcher – A Review by a 9-year-old
I've been waiting for something momentous before writing my blog - what could be more momentous than a review of The Story-Catcher by a nine-year-old?Arushi Upadhyaya had to design a book-jacket for a school competition. The entry she submitted is with the school, but she sent me the rough plan she made. At the back, she informs me, she put in the ISBN details and the name of the publisher. On the side, she wrote the name of the author. Within the book jacket, she wrote a synopsis of The Story-Catcher. And guess what? She won the first prize!She has also sent a review of The Story-Catcher to ParentEdge Magazine for a book review contest - I hope she wins! I will put up her review as soon as the ParentEdge results are announced. Meanwhile, here are the book cover and the synopsis. … [Read more...]
Alma Mater
Thoughts come to me in bits and pieces.The house charts are still displayed at the back of the hall. They've become bigger and grander, not restricted to single sheets of chart-paper. Also, the availability of print-outs means that girls with neat handwriting don't make all the charts.There are big boards on the wall, displaying the names of achievers, including prefects, toppers and those who achieved something in sports.There is a projector in our assembly hall!The grand piano is still there, except that it no longer has the sign that we used to find hilarious: 'DO NOT MOVE'.About sixty girls turned up for the writing programme I'm offering for classes VI and VII and St. Mary's. How will I choose 25 of them?The girls felt almost proud when (not knowing their names) I identified them by their houses.This is the beginning of a grand new adventure. … [Read more...]
St. Mary’s … St. Mary’s …
When I read the title (and when I was writing it), I could not help singing it.I've been writing for ages now. I've had about 25 stories for children published. I have a book to my credit.Yet, I can't deny that I am happy to see an article in the St. Mary's School magazine! I have the usual writer's complaint, though - I wish it had not been edited. The editor in me is cringing a little bit. … [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...]
We Said Go Travel
Two of my personal narratives have been published on the travel site "We Said Go Travel". … [Read more...]
Imagine and Innovate: A Workshop on Books for Children
Workshop Outline: How do books come alive? What happens in the mind of the writer, and how does it finally reach the hands of the reader? "Imagine and Innovate" explores each step of the journey: from the idea to the making of the book. Children will come together to create a story, design and make a book, and learn what copyright is. It will be a morning of imagination, creativity and learning: a writing workshop for all children aged about 8-13. Overview: 1. A memory game to get to know one another. 2. Make up a story together; design your own book. 3. Learn about publishing, copyright, and the options for children who write. Date: Saturday, 28th February, 2015. Time: 11 am - 1 pm Fee: Rs 500 per child Age-group: 8-13 Venue: The Cultural Centre, Pune To register: Send an email to tcc@prelocate.com with your name and contact number. [Email subject: Imagine and … [Read more...]