Some writers stun me with the range of stories they write. Elizabeth Laird, for instance. Look at just the stories I've read by her: And now, Crackers, which is completely different from anything else I've read by her. The strangest part for me as I read it was how similar it is to something I've written--about a group of children making a magazine together! A fun story about two rival groups, I was drawn into the urgent sense of indignation the characters feel as they try to outdo one another. Quite early on, I found myself frowning at the gender stereotypes, so I went back to see when the book was published--1990. While I would hesitate to recommend a modern book that perpetuates stereotypes, I might just read Crackers with my book club, if only to discuss whether these ideas have changed. It's a side-effect of running book clubs right through the year, but I couldn't help … [Read more...]
Mahalaxmi Will Go to Mysore
I've been reading so many books that deal with RTE in one way or another! As a teacher trainer, I find that RTE is a conversation topic that some schools want to sweep under the carpet. Others test waters to find out where I stand. Still others are belligerent and self-righteous, even as they talk about how many challenges they face just because they follow the law. But stories are important. Stories pave the way for conversation. Mahalaxmi Will Go to Mysore is one of those stories--a story that raises questions. The Right to Education requires schools to admit some children free of charge, but what does this imply when it comes to school trips? How can Mahalaxmi's family afford to spend three thousand rupees on a class trip to Mysore? Although I did find a character shift towards the end of the book rather too sudden (I don't want to reveal more), I liked the sensitivity with … [Read more...]
Kittu’s Very Mad Day
I remember meeting Harshikaa Udasi, author of Kittu’s Terrible Horrible No Good Very Mad Day at a lit fest several years ago. I had read her book already, but unfortunately, I had a Kindle edition, so I couldn't go up to her and get my copy signed. I told her that, and then, casually, a few days later, she texted me and asked me for my address. I sent it to her, and in a few days, I had a parcel at my door--my very own signed copy of the book!It's time to introduce this zany book to my book clubbers. Kittu is a more difficult read than the others in this time's selection, but I'm quite certain that won't make it any less enjoyable. Being Lost In the opening scene of Kittu’s Terrible Horrible No Good Very Mad, Kittu is lost. Unlike most other children who are lost, however, he seems to think of it as some sort of adventure. This is the perfect … [Read more...]
Dum Dum to the Rescue & Yet More Adventures of Little Shambu
I just finished reading book 3 of the Little Shambu series, and it's just as enjoyable as the others! We meet all the familiar characters--Little Shambu and family, the dog Dum Dum, Little Shambu's neighbour Shanti, the class bully JJ--as well as several new characters with names that made me chuckle. The drama teacher, for instance, is called Miss Mithi Sharbat, but more fun are the biology teacher Professor Y. Russ and the P.E. teacher, Stan D'tease! Just like the other collections of stories, Dum Dum to the Rescue & Yet More Adventures of Little Shambu comprises believable tales of an urban boy's encounters with animals. A monkey enters Little Shambu's house, Mama Shambu keeps a fox and chickens, and JJ plays a prank that involves four tame mice. Of course, Dum Dum is part of several adventures too. At the very end of the book is a lovely little backstory showing us how … [Read more...]
Kolam Kanna
I've read two books by Vibha Batra in less than a month, and I've loved them both! So many things about Kolam Kanna were utterly delightful that this review deserves to be in bullet points, highlighting everything I loved about it. The name Bharathi! The moment I learned that Bharathi is a boy's name in the story, I could not help thinking of a little boy I met in Perani (near Puducherry) ten years ago. He won't be so little anymore, but I remember his bright eyes and his curiosity. His name? Tamilbarathi.( I liked him so much that he features in my story "Dragonflies and Tablets" in Dragonflies, Jigsaws and Seashells.) Vibha's descriptions and Jemma Jose's illustrations made me imagine Bharathi, the kolam kanna of the story, in the same way.Breaking Stereotypes A boy who likes drawing kolams? Yes, please. A girl who likes to play cricket? Yes, please. And ideas brought together in … [Read more...]
In the Bear’s Den & More Adventures of Little Shambu
Life is never humdrum with Little Shambu around, and I loved this next set of adventures too! I remember reading about how the non-violence policy of Shikari Shambu ensured that he never fired a single shot. In fact, he is more a forest ranger than a hunter, and these stories about Little Shambu set the stage for a Shikari Shambu who loves animals. From saving the life of a harmless snake to meeting an officer who rescues bears, these tales featuring Little Shambu are a lovely way to introduce environment activism in young children. At the same time, the stories don’t shy away from mirroring reality, whether it is in the context of an elephant at a temple in Kerala or a rattlesnake that needs to be returned to its natural habitat. I enjoyed also how gently the idea of livelihood versus animal rights was expressed through stories like “Shooting with a Bear”. But as with Strangus … [Read more...]
Strangus Derangus and Other Adventures of Little Shambu
Much of my childhood was spent surrounded by Enid Blytons and Roald Dahls, Dick King-Smiths and Allen Frewin Joneses. But Tinkle stayed a favourite. I never got drawn to Chandamama or even Amar Chitra Katha mythology the way I was drawn to Tinkle. My grandfather subscribed to the magazine, and every so often, he would find a sheet of white card paper and bind several issues together to make a nice fat Tinkle volume, which we treasured. The problem with returning to beloved childhood tales, however, is that so often, they're nowhere near as lovely as you remember them to be. Enid Blyton is preachy. The Animal Ark books I loved so much have very little story. I haven't gone back to Suppandi, Shikari Shambu, Tantri the Mantri or Naseeruddin Hodja because I am afraid I will find them silly. That's the reason I postponed reading Little Shambu too. But I just did, and all the stories in … [Read more...]
Gobi Goes Viral
Gopi compares everybody around him to a vegetable. His world comprises a capsicum, a carrot, a tomato, a sweet potato ... The problem, of course, is that the moment he talks about it, he becomes Gobi, or worse, Fool Gobi. Trying to tell the bullies in class that it isn’t Fool, but Phool doesn’t help. Being bullied, however, is not the only problem Gopi faces at Primrose Academy. Even though he has got admission thanks to the RTE act, the hidden charges—for school books and the like—are crippling. If he does not pay his dues by the end of the week, he has no choice but to leave. Like the best of children’s stories, this is where a friend comes in—one who does not save the day, but instead helps Gopi save the day. Gopi’s life is worlds apart from Pari’s, but as they get to know each other, they make a plan, one that may just end up working out very differently from what they … [Read more...]
Trunk Call for Ajju
There's something special about animal stories for children. I've never had a pet and I've never worked with animals, yet I remember devouring books like the Animal Ark series. There were dozens of others too - Saddle Club, every Dick King-Smith book I could lay my hands on, stories about dolphins, whales, dogs ... Something about animals touches the heart of every child, and that's what made me love Trunk Call for Ajju. Have you ever met a child who would not want to do something to help a distressed elephant in Zimbabwe? Even if said child has no idea where Zimbabwe is, I cannot imagine a child who would not help an elephant if they could! Enter Ajju, who sees that his beloved Kini Maasi is out of sorts. It has nothing to do with him, but he soon pries out the reason--Molly, an orphaned baby elephant in Zimbabwe, needs care. The problem with needing care is that care costs money. … [Read more...]
Read, Write, Race
Over two years ago, we read Hungry to Read by Arti Sonthalia at my book club. The children thoroughly enjoyed the story, and the book discussion was completely different from what I expected. I thought we would talk about stereotypes and about how judging reading speed isn't ideal ... but none of that happened. Instead, the children talked of how much they loved the book.For me, Read, Write, Race was a much more enjoyable read, but I can't help wondering how this one will go with the book club!Very recently, I realised that even older children are not familiar with dyslexia. This surprised me, as several schools I've worked with have encountered dyslexia and spoken to children about it. While I have no idea how old I was when I first encountered the word, I look forward to talking to the children about learning disabilities. With Read, Write, Race, we'll follow Raghav's journey, as he … [Read more...]
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