When I learned that Debasmita Dasgupta had another graphic novel out, I knew I had to read it. Nadya, which I read several months ago, was a stunning read that effortlessly brought together pithy text and bold illustrations. Visually, Terminal 3 was just as compelling. The colour palettes were gorgeous, and I love that the author-illustrator takes us through her choices at the end of the book. I feasted my eyes on page after page. However, Terminal 3 is far more text-heavy than Nadya. While the shifting timelines worked for me, I wanted to know Noor and Yusuf better. I wanted to feel more deeply the relationships we see fleetingly in Khwab's past. The illustrations worked beautifully, but with so much text, I longed for more exploration of friendship and love. Having said that, Terminal 3 was still a lovely read. Airports are places of possibility, where time stands still … [Read more...]
The District Cup
I don't know much about football. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of matches I've watched. And yet, I loved The District Cup, a book that's all about football fever. Pacy, powerful, and peopled with diverse characters, the book urges you to read on, page after page, chapter after chapter. Football coach Siraj is at his wits' end. Rampant age-cheating is ruining the game, and the worst part is that no one seems willing to do anything about it. Corruption, nepotism and sycophancy seem to be the only way to move forward in the world of football, and everyone seems to accept that that's the way it is. Yet, one small step at a time, Siraj is determined to make a difference. Bringing together a team of fierce supporters, he can, and will, change the game. The District Cup weaves together a complex web of people with different, yet connected, motives. At times, I … [Read more...]
Four Hook Books
At a workshop recently, I showed participants a few hOle books and Hook Books. I had Malhar in the Middle (one of my favourites), The Clockwala's Clues (because how could I not?), Cyrus the Whyrus (a delightful new Hook Book) and Passepartout, Is That You? (because I love how readers are active participants in the hunt for Passepartout).And not one of the teachers in the room had heard of either series. This made me realise (again) how much we need to leave reviews and talk about books we read! Wet Paint 4/5 Wet Paint, written by Asha Nehemiah and illustrated by Chetan Sharma, is a sweet, fun book. The illustrations are especially delightful: even on the cover, I love Paru's shiny, bright eyes! The enthusiasm and energy we see there take us through the twists and turns of a story about finding something … [Read more...]
The Adventures of Tootsie Lama
We read The Very Glum Life of Tootoolu Toop a couple of years ago at my reading programme for ages nine and ten, and we loved it. That's why I picked up The Adventures of Tootsie Lama. It has the same kind of craziness, which makes it perfect for my book club.Tootsie Lama is reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking in her independent, almost amoral, way of functioning. She wants thukpa, and she will steal it if she must. Her friend Tenzing is the perfect ally, more than willing to be part of her madcap schemes, even if it means getting into trouble with his mother. But in this adventure, perhaps Tootsie Lama goes a little too far and has to face consequences that she didn't quite imagine ... It's such a fun story! Food Tootsie Lama goes to astonishing lengths for a bowl of thukpa. What food would you do anything for? And if we're being completely wacky, how … [Read more...]
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat
I love Chris Riddell! I read Ottoline Goes to School sometime last year, but I couldn't introduce it to my book club because it wasn't available in India. Less than a month ago, I learned that Ottoline and the Yellow Cat is available, so of course we must read it!I love serious humour. I know that's an oxymoron, but for me, it's the kind of book that's earnest and written in such a way that something utterly ridiculous reads like it is perfectly normal. And that's what makes the Ottoline series delightful. Lovely pictures and a perfectly lovely story come together in this quick, beautifully illustrated story about a girl and her unusual friend. Here's what we'll do as we read Ottoline and the Yellow Cat at my book club. Collections Ottoline's parents travel all over the world and collect all kinds of things, including masks, extremely small paintings, … [Read more...]
The Lizard of Oz and Other Stories
As a child, I adored animal stories. Dick King-Smith was a favourite, and I scoured the British Library for his books. Another favourite was the Animal Ark series - completely different in the sense that the animals aren't anthropomorphic, but fun, all the same.That's one of the reasons we're reading The Lizard of Oz at my book club. Although I haven't worked with short stories with my book club for ages seven and eight before, they work excellently with the older ones, so I'm excited to read this set next month. Humour, adventure and sparkling surprises come together in this collection that I'm sure we'll have fun exploring! Word Puzzle Several years ago, the theme for the reading challenge at the British Library was 'Animal Agents'. I loved the books in the collection, as well as all the activities we did! One of those activities is a word puzzle … [Read more...]
Pinkoo Shergill: Pastry Chef
When the publishers sent me a review copy of Pinkoo Shergill: Pastry Chef, I devoured it. Even as I read it, I knew I wanted to introduce it to my book club soon. The only question I had was as to whether to introduce it to ages seven and eight, or nine and ten. Ultimately, I chose the latter for several reasons. For one, there's so much we can do with the book in terms of creative writing! For another, it's rather longer than the books I usually read at my book club for seven and eight-year-olds, so I felt I would not be able to do it justice with younger readers.Pinkoo's story is filled with a sense of urgency, which makes it a pacy read. I like the characters, the storyline and the telling - what more do I need?Here's what we will do with the book at my reading programme. Portmanteau Words We've worked with portmanteau words at my book club for the … [Read more...]
Petu Pumpkin: Cheater Peter
Petu Pumpkin is a cheat! Or at least, so Jatin is convinced. And if Petu Pumpkin continues to cheat and lie, what will become of him? One day, he fakes a stomach ache. He used to be a tiffin thief. Tomorrow, he'll be a pickpocket. And then soon, he'll be a murderer! His friends have a duty. They must get him to confess, no matter what it takes. That's the only way they can save him from a life of crime.Humorous and fun, Petu Pumpkin: Cheater Peter has that element of silliness that I know my book club will enjoy. Here's what we'll do as we read it. Book Cover The episode featured on the cover of Petu Pumpkin: Cheater Peter is probably my favourite part of the book. It's as mad as it looks, and so, I'm going to begin by asking the children what they think is happening there. Is that ... an egg? What are the boys doing?And with all the hypotheses my book … [Read more...]
Munni Monster
Mishti's life is good. She has a best friend (never mind if said best friend is a little annoying), parents who love her, and a grandmother whom she adores. Everything's perfect--until Munni, her grandmother's cousin, comes to stay--no, live--with them. And suddenly, things are not idyllic anymore. Munni is a weirdo. She is old, but behaves like a baby. She dares to come into Munni's private cave under the dining table. And Mishti has to sleep like a sausage between her parents even though she is "of age", to use a phrase she's just learnt. And that is the crux of the story. Munni is a monster, and Mishti must figure out how to get rid of her. She wishes Munni were dead. Munni Monster is a lovely book, empathetic and heartwarming. It worked for me so much better than Madhurima Vidyarthi's My Grandmother's Masterpiece. Cuteness in children's stories is not something I enjoy, and … [Read more...]
Chitti’s Travelling Book Box
I love books about books, so I knew I would enjoy Chitti's Travelling Book Box. When Chitti comes back from her Madras Mama-Mami's place with a surprise gift, her friends can't wait to find out what she's brought. Unfortunately for them, it's a box of books. Who gets excited about books? Chitti can't believe how biased her friends are. They aren't even willing to give the books a shot! And when push comes to shove, she has to choose between her friends and her books. And she does. Set in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Chitti's story has much to offer. I loved the satirical comment on the only stories in the school library - moral stories! And not just moral stories, animal moral stories. Written by the principal. Of course. A set of five stories for the well-behaved, homework-loving child. Full of little details on reading, books, and falling in love with stories, I enjoyed … [Read more...]
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