It's time for my yearly roundups! I have no idea how many books I read last year (I never count), but I know I read a significant number. I read fewer picture books than usual, but I made up for that by reading dozens of chapter books.I always share these annual posts of mine with a disclaimer---not all these books were published in 2024; I just read them in 2024.A second disclaimer---I received several of these books as review copies from the publishers. This does not influence my opinion of the books; I review only ones that I enjoy.And now, here's the first of my lists - my favourite picture books and early chapter books. Three Hook Books and one hOle book feature on the list! What Happened to Grandpa What Happened to Grandpa by Nandini Nayar and Aditi Anand is a beautiful picture book about love and loss. A bittersweet story about coming to … [Read more...]
I Won’t Wash My Hair
What an utterly delightful book! I love books that make my jaw drop on the very last page, and I Won't Wash My Hair by Aparna Kapur and Ogin Nayam does it perfectly. Like all the other Hook Books I've read, this one puts text and pictures together in the best way possible.Did you have an opinion about washing your hair as a child? If you didn't, it's possible that your hair was short. My hair came to my waist, and I remember how often my grandmother would tell me to wash it when I got back from school. I hated it. Except in the little intervals when I stayed with her because my parents were travelling, I managed to get through school washing my hair just once a week.And that's why Divya's mad, delightful story was even more of a treat. When her parents are away, why must she wash her hair? All kinds of interesting things turn up in it every day. And if her friends don't want to … [Read more...]