It's been such a long time since a book forced me to stay up and finish reading! I loved The Secret Hen House Theatre. It made me imagine. It got me excited. Yes, there were parts that were uneven, but how does it matter when you're caught up in the emotion and excitement? I remember reading The Worry Tree some time ago and thinking about children who worry about everything around them. I know so many people like that - people who try to balance everything, make everything okay. Some worry and keep wanting to do something. Some worry and do one thing after another, but the worry still weighs them down. Hannah from The Secret Hen House Theatre belongs to the second kind. She wants to save her farm, but how can she do that when she wants to act and write plays? What makes it worse is that her mother used to love theatre, but is now dead, and her father seems … [Read more...]
Book Launch at Atta Galatta
Launching my railway adventures for children in a city in which I know very few children was bound to be a challenge, but it was such fun! The event began with a college friend who came to show her support - and she made my day. I hadn't met her for a decade, making her presence even more special. As children started trickling in, we began to explore the series of railway advenures through the audio books and activity kits. The joy of each of the railway books is that it is sold both as a book and as part of a kit, making for wonderful activities with children at events like this! And of course, for any writer, people who want to buy your book and get it signed just warm your heart! … [Read more...]
Guru Mythili Raghavan
What makes Mythili Maami special? Why have so many of us been with her for two decades and longer? Why did we not leave the Academy of Indian Dances and set up on our own like so many other dancers? The answer lies in a story that each one of us is only too willing to share. My teacher has her stories too - of learning to dance and sing, of being chosen to say the prayers at school, of sitting on a train and hugging her bag all the way to Patna from Chennai ... She has stories about Kalakshetra and stories about Australia. She talks to us about her experiences with teachers like Gowri Pati, Pushpa Teacher and Jaya Teacher. Stories must find their way into a book some day - and this one took root when my father said that we must all write it. We took our time, but released it for Maami's 70th birthday. It's here, and I can't quite believe … [Read more...]
Picture Books for Winter Nights
I just finished reading a handful of picture books; they're such a comfortable way to spend a winter evening! Chuckling, tucking your brain aside, reading and looking at pictures - what more could I possibly want? All Mine was my absolute favourite. Written by Zehra Hicks, it is a picture book that does have a moral, but I was surprised to find that I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway! I loved the simplicity of its illustrations and the fact that the word count was kept to the bare minimum. Title All Mine Author Zehra Hicks Genre Picture book Rating (out of 5) 5 Age-group 2+ I usually like picture books that rhyme, but Kangaroo's Cancan Cafe was a bit forced for me. That's not to say that I did not like it - I did. It was just a little overdone. Too much colour and texture, too many characters. But a lovely idea and a very sweet story, … [Read more...]
Hetty Feather
Many, many years ago, a friend gave me The Suitcase Kid for my birthday. I devoured it -- and did not understand it. I cannot explain that. I had never felt that way about a book before, and I have never felt that again. The chapters are arranged alphabetically, with each chapter starting with one letter. It was U that confused me, I remember. So I read the whole book again, and I still did not understand what exactly happened. I decided I would read it again, but somehow, haven't got around to it yet. When I found a book by Jacqueline Wilson in the library, I thought about it for a while. Would it leave me with that same confused feeling? I didn't know, but I decided to give it a shot. And I loved the book. Crazy, funny, poignant, dramatic - I loved Hetty Feather, the book and the character. I cringed a little at the stereotype of flame-red hair and a temper, but I loved the … [Read more...]
Mr Oliver’s Diary
I enjoyed reading this review of Mr Oliver's Diary written by Arwen Banerjee, one of the students of the Writers' Club at St. Mary's School. The theme of the month was school stories, and this review was a refreshing change from the ones on Malory Towers, St. Clare's and others! Mr Oliver's Diary: Review Arwen Banerjee Ruskin Bond has written a lot of enjoyable books but Mr Oliver’s Diary is my personal favourite. Mr Oliver, a PT, Maths and English teacher is the main character and this book is his diary. He has noted every incident that has occurred in his hostel. He also mentions Tata, Mirchi and Basu and other students and their mischievous acts in a lively manner. Some people think that a teacher’s life is just about books and studies, but Ruskin Bond has painted a totally different picture of Mr Oliver’s experience with his students. The language is simple and almost every … [Read more...]
How to Capture an Invisible Cat
Yes, I picked it up because of its name. No surprise there. Wouldn't you pick up a book that seemed like a guidebook to capturing an invisible cat? I'm sure you don't know how to do it, and who knows when you'll need to? How to Capture an Invisible Cat was a funny book, one that was funny enough for me not to read it in public so as not to appear crazy. More importantly, there were lots of parts that were my kind of humour. I'm not a big fan of slapstick comedy, or "disgusting-therefore-funny". I love word play, sarcasm and cleverness. And that's why I loved How to Capture an Invisible Cat. No one suspects that Nate is a genius. His classmates think he's one of those quiet nerds, definitely not the kind of person they want to mix with. When Nate's dog Bosper smells something special about Delphine, Nate puts on a fancy scientific dog-nose--and smells it … [Read more...]
You Can’t take an Elephant on the Bus
It's Children's Day; what better time to celebrate a picture book I loved? You Can't take an Elephant on the Bus is one of the books in this year's Reading Challenge collection, and I loved it! I enjoy picture books that rhyme. I also enjoy whacky books that don't have a hidden agenda - to teach, preach, etc. I love how books express crazy ideas that make me chortle as I read. So naturally, I loved You Can't take an Elephant on the Bus. The theme for this years Reading Challenge is The Big Friendly Read, and it celebrates 100 years of Roald Dahl. For me, the joy of Dahl lies in his crazy ideas that defy reality and defy parents who want to teach their children through any book they find. I could not wait to start reading the books in the collection, and this one lived up to my expectations! If you can't take an elephant on a bus, and you can't make a whale … [Read more...]
The Reading Challenge is Back!
The Reading Challenge is back at the British Library, Pune, and this time, the theme is 'The Big Friendly Read'! Celebrating 100 years of Roald Dahl, we have a lovely collection of books as usual. Many feature Dahl characters that I fell in love with as a child, and of course, many others with the wonderful illustrations of Sir Quentin Blake. There are all kinds of stories, though, so even if you've read everything Dahl ever wrote, there will be something for you to read too! For those who have never taken part in the Reading Challenge, it is an exciting programme conducted every year at the British Library, Pune. If you are anywhere between 5 and 13 years old, you can register. There are two sets of books - junior books and senior books - and all you need to do is finish reading six books in six weeks. If you do, you will get a certificate, maybe even a medal! I will … [Read more...]
The Boy with the Tiger’s Heart
The cover of The Boy with the Tiger's Heart is one of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen. When I picked up the book, I didn't notice the tiger, and when I did, it took my breath away! My reading of the book was certainly influenced by how beautiful it was. Every time I closed the book to take in what I had read, I saw that tiger, those wonderful silhouettes, the wonder of the image. And the book was impressive. Set in a dystopian city where the wild is considered so dangerous that it must be destroyed, The Boy with the Tiger's Heart is the tale of three children who want to know what the world beyond the Green Wall is like. Jay, the boy with the tiger's heart, is an incredible character that made my hair stand on end. A pacy book, I kept reading with a mixture of fascination and horror. I enjoyed it and I hated it. But it was well worth a read. TitleThe Boy with the … [Read more...]
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