The first word that comes to mind while reading The Lost Island of Tamarind is ‘vivid’. I don’t usually like descriptive stories. I feel, “Sure, things around look like that; the weather is like that; the people look like that. Get on with the story!” The Lost Island of Tamarind was not one of those. It was […]
Read Something New!
Back to British Library with my next reading workshop! Dates: 17th August, 24th August, 7th September and 14th September Time: 3 pm – 5 pm Age-group: 9-12 Registration fee: Rs. 1,200 for members; Rs. 2,200 for non-members (You get a complimentary Gold 6-month membership free when you register) See you there!
Small Change for Stuart
When crossword puzzles, triplets and magic come together, the combination is a delightful mixture of commonsense, logic and madness. Small Change for Stuart is about a very short boy with slightly crazy parents. The parents do not realise that their short son is going to be traumatised through life because his first initial and surname […]
The Famous Adventures of Jack
When a little girl called Jill is told that she has to meet Jack, she begins a wonderful journey of stories with Mother Greenwood and a few Jacks here and there. The Famous Adventures of Jack by Berlie Doherty is a collection of new tales that have the same charm, predictability and comfort of well-loved […]
The Feeling After Reading a Good Book
I sit on the sofa looking at the wall in front of me. Hundreds of images cover the wall. A young brown girl. The book does not say anywhere that she is brown. In fact, she is English. But her great-great-aunt – or was it another relation? – used to wash the socks of tramps. […]
The Story of Cirrus Flux
“Where are you, Varsha?” “I’m not here!” I call back. “It looks like you are.” “No, I’m inside here.” (pointing to my book) That’s the way it was with The Story of Cirrus Flux. I enjoyed the ride through 18th century England, with Matthew Skelton’s small liberties with historical facts. I wondered again at how […]
The Midnight Fox
It is not that I have not been reading. As a matter of fact, I have been reading quite a bit. I read A Beautiful Lie by Irfan Master and enjoyed it. I read three of Dick King-Smith’s Sophie books. But nothing prompted me to write until this one – The Midnight Fox by Betsy […]
To Kill a Mockingbird
Atticus, Atticus … How I love you! Who says that you are not a good parent? To Kill a Mockingbird is moving, painful and joyful. It fills my heart with the goodness and stupidity of humanity. When I read a story like To Kill a Mockingbird, I feel the power of literature. Literature can echo in your […]
The Macmillan Book Review Contest on Rivokids
Why are there no reviews of Indian books for the Macmillan Book Review Contest yet? This is true for all the age-groups! Do invite children in the age-group 10-15 to review The Story-Catcher; the carrot dangling at the end of the stick is a Macmillan book hamper! Last date for entries is the 30th of […]
Olivia’s First Term
When I picked up Olivia’s First Term, I was more than a little sceptical. The book was light purple, with splashes of silver on it. It did not promise to be the kind of book I would like. I don’t like books that run on crushes and fantasies and lipstick and shoes and make-up. And lavender, purple and […]
Day Five: Reading Workshop at JustBooks
Another workshop came to an end yesterday. Lots of parents came in and asked me when I would do something like this again. Soon, I hope, soon. For now, I am filled with gladness. Comics, stories, poems, myths … A reading workshop is so fulfilling!
Day Four: Reading Workshop at JustBooks
My reading workshops are always learning experiences. If not for those who attend mine, for me! Yesterday was a day of comics and stories. One child made a comic depicting a race to win a golden sword. One write a fable and illustrated it. One wrote an essay with a picture. They showed me, again, […]
Day Three: Reading Workshop at JustBooks, Wanawadi
Each day brings more happiness! Yesterday, day three of my reading workshop at JustBooks, was lovely. We told a story together, then wrote letters and played a new game – the Word Train! Children constantly inspire me to be creative!
Day Two: Let’s Read at JustBooks, Wanawadi
One hour is not enough for everything I like to do with the children at the workshop! It was still lovely, though, with understanding copyright (and asking whether Google will know who owns the copyright for the Bible) and telling stories. Myths, book covers, publishing, copyright and a quiz – all on Day Two of […]
Day One: Reading Workshop at JustBooks, Wanawadi
The week began with another reading workshop! It’s a new place for me, with new children and new activities. One thing remains the same, though. It’s still all about books and a library is the perfect place! It’s not too late to join in – come, Let’s Read, at JustBooks, Wanawadi, Pune!
The Court Painter’s Apprentice
I love novels that read like short stories. I don’t like it when the plot is so complex that my excitement reaches its peak too early. When I read a book like that, I’m just waiting to find out what happens in the end, not enjoying the journey. The book I read before this, The Boy Who Fell Down […]
Author Interview!
The Story-Catcher was the second runner-up for the “Parents and Kids Choice Awards 2014” for Books (Indian authors) in the age-group 10-15. TeamRivo interviewed me – read the interview on rivoblog!
Day Five: Reading Workshop at Friends Library
Another wonderful reading workshop came to an end today. “Five minutes more.” “Please, last day!” “Can we stay till 1?” “Please …” Despite everything, we did not finish at 11:30 as planned, but at 12:30! It’s hard to refuse when children want more time with you!
Days Three and Four: Reading Workshop at Friends Library
“How can it already be 11:30?” “Time is already up?” “I could sit here for five hours daily!” “Why is tomorrow the last day?” Today, Day Four of Exploring the World of Stories, my reading workshop at Friends Library, I ended up extending my one and a half hour […]
Let’s Read! – Reading Workshop
Look what’s coming next! Register now! Call (020)30116811 or +91-7385022202 for more details.