Calling all the books that I've listed here 'chapter books' is perhaps unfair. Some are quite a bit longer than others. I'm uncomfortable defining books on the basis of age too, as reading levels differ widely even within one school, let alone across schools, areas and countries. I think, broadly, this list comprises books that I enjoyed reading as an adult and would probably have loved when I was eight or nine.Me and Mister PWriter: Maria Farrer Illustrator: Daniel RieleyPublisher: Oxford University PressWhat can I say about the delightful Mister P? Though I read Me and Mister P almost a year ago, it is one of those timeless books that stay with you, a classic.When Arthur discovers a polar bear at his doorstep, the warmest of friendships begins to blossom. Mister P does not say a word, but something special is born out of those wonderful bear hugs and the … [Read more...]
Radhika Takes the Plunge
A little over a year ago, I read the picture book Clumsy! by Ken Spillman and I enjoyed it. It is a sweet, heart-warming story about a girl who is often called 'clumsy', 'careless', 'butterfingers'. That becomes her identity until her grandmother gives her a box of paints. I loved the simplicity of the story; that's what made me pick up Radhika Takes the Plunge.Radhika has an over-protective mother, who refuses to let her go swimming. For as long as Radhika lived in Delhi, she did not mind very much. When she moves to Australia, she is mortified by the fact that she has never been to a swimming-pool when everyone else has, or as she puts it, everyone else seems to be 49% fish.When her mother finally lets Radhika go to the pool, the girl takes the plunge - in more ways than one.Once more, I liked the story because of the simplicity of the style. To say that the … [Read more...]