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...]
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...]
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 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...]
Trouble with Magic
The name itself makes my eyes sparkle. Trouble with magic? That sounds promising! And it is. I giggled my way through the book, chuckling at the hapless Aunt Malu and charmed by the enterprising Veena. Aunt Malu should have known better, but ... therein lies the tale! Trouble with Magic was the very first book we read at the very first edition of my book club over five years ago! We're rereading it next month! Inventions What would you invent if you could invent anything in the world? Do you think that invention of yours is scientific or magical?Children at my workshops have invented all kinds of things from time machines to superfast shoes and robots that do their homework for them. Aunt Malu is a delightful mix of magician and scientist - neither real nor fantastic - and so, she provides the perfect balance for children who want both … [Read more...]
Brachio
What a charming book! Brachio by Venkataraghavan and Ananya Broker Parekh is a visual treat, one that touches the reader with sweetness and whimsy.Brachio is so tall that he doesn't fit on the cover, as you can see. In fact, he even has his own fold-out page so that you can see how tall he is. But can someone so tall ever fit in? Can he belong anywhere?Brachio is the kind of book that makes you smile long after you've finished reading it. It is a picture book that addresses big themes, like purpose, loneliness, friendship and cruelty. Through it all, just like a powerful lighthouse that stands tall, Brachio gives us hope. Perhaps our usefulness does not determine our worth. Perhaps there is more to us than what we can do. And in these ideas lies the beauty of the book. I loved the story, the design, the … [Read more...]
The Impossible Pet
The Impossible Pet by Jane De Suza is such a fun book! I laughed out loud more than once as the hapless Tarun tries one thing after another to get a pet of his own--whether his parents like it or not.Just like when I read Puppy Trouble, what drew me first into the story is the universality of its theme. What child doesn't want a pet? In Tarun's case, there's more. He and his best friend Joey are same-same in every way--height, age, class, everything. But when Joey gets a pet and refuses to share, how can Tarun be same-same again?So Tarun tries acquiring one pet after another--a lizard, a cow, a pigeon--anything will do! I love how the humour of the story blends with the more serious elements that come towards the end of the book. Without being preachy, The Impossible Pet leaves us feeling that there's a sense of justice in the world!TitleThe Impossible … [Read more...]
Top 3 Chapter Books – 2025
I read dozens of chapter books each year, both because publishers send me review copies and because of my book clubs. Somehow, though, only three books really stood out to me! I've introduced all three to my book clubbers (aged nine and ten), and perhaps it's more significant that they enjoyed these books than that I did! The Great Sneak-Out The Great Sneak-Out is my favourite in the POFFS series. Wacky and warm, it tells the story of a pair of sisters--and a third grade mafia! Full of humour and heart, it's also a book with the most striking chapter titles I've ever come across. Each one could be a writing prompt, and in fact, I even designed a whole lesson around one of them--"We Get Away with It. Almost." Book review Bookish Activities Blame It on the Untz Blame It on the Untz is … [Read more...]
Gobi Goes Viral
Gobi Goes Viral by Vibha Batra is funny, heart-warming, and altogether believable. We've read and loved Kolam Kanna and Pinkoo Shergill at my book club, and I'm happy to introduce yet another book by the same writer to the children I meet. Here's what we'll do as we read this story! Talent Show How can we read a book about a talent show without having a talent show of our own? Over time, I've had children recite poetry, play musical instruments, draw and solve a Rubik's Cube during our book club. It's always lovely to see a side of children that I wouldn't otherwise get to see if we stuck to just reading in class! Similes Gopi (aka Gobi) uses very interesting similes! Starting with an example from the text, we will explore funny similes, coming up with imaginative comparisons for a range of humorous … [Read more...]