At a workshop recently, I showed participants a few hOle books and Hook Books. I had Malhar in the Middle (one of my favourites), The Clockwala’s Clues (because how could I not?), Cyrus the Whyrus (a delightful new Hook Book) and Passepartout, Is That You? (because I love how readers are active participants in the hunt for Passepartout).
And not one of the teachers in the room had heard of either series. This made me realise (again) how much we need to leave reviews and talk about books we read!
Wet Paint
Wet Paint, written by Asha Nehemiah and illustrated by Chetan Sharma, is a sweet, fun book. The illustrations are especially delightful: even on the cover, I love Paru’s shiny, bright eyes! The enthusiasm and energy we see there take us through the twists and turns of a story about finding something unexpectedly perfect.
The Grand Chapati Contest
The Grand Chapati Contest, also written by Asha Nehemiah and illustrated by Chetan Sharma, is such a treat! I enjoyed every page.
The king wants perfect chapatis. Who’s going to make them?
Like Asha Nehemiah’s Mooli series, this book is full of wacky ideas – like butterfly-shaped chapatis. But my favourite idea in the tale is that of an elephant stomping on dough and creating four perfect chapatis at one go. Unlike the king, I wouldn’t care if the chapatis smelt like elephant’s feet. I would love them! Sadly (or perhaps not because elephants should be in the wild and not making chapatis), the elephant doesn’t win the contest. Read the book to find out who does win.
Cyrus the Whyrus
Cyrus the Whyrus, written by Lavanya Karthik and illustrated by Priya Kuriyan, is another delightful read. Have you ever met a child who never asks ‘why’? I haven’t. And that’s why I love Cyrus the Whyrus. If there’s a why to be asked, he will ask it. And if the grown-ups around him are at their wits’ end answering those whys, all the better! The best, most joyous part of the book is the very end. I love the picture, and I love the line. No spoilers! Read the book if you’re curious.
Boy, Bear
Everything about Boy, Bear, written by Adithi Rao and illustrated by Aaryama Somayaji, is lovely. The themes, the characters, the story … beautiful!
Reading about cruelty is always difficult for me, even if I am sure things will end in a way that is hopeful, if not happy. I take a while to read books like this (compare, for older readers, Gorilla Dawn, Whale Boy, and White Dolphin). And yet, when I do read them, I love them.
This one, too, was perfect. Dancing bears form a difficult subject to deal with for young readers. Yet, Boy, Bear does it with empathy and love.
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