tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65853557728916783552024-03-05T01:35:54.419-08:00some bit of this and some bit of that...Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-22449589422917647742017-09-29T06:32:00.000-07:002017-09-29T06:32:01.619-07:00We Love Bunk Beds!: A Shirley and Doris Book <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGaor_-CRR-JMvciOaaUijktmc4FbdGf6D8LxjHV0W3vZ_ffJmG0jH2cVZC2mkrW2w68KSs4l20kpBbSH7BypJ5vaFTmMQ8ucLsI2AnUe2GM7Loch_ambzFTT5LjJwp0grHLM0cXm4uKL/s1600/bunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="497" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGaor_-CRR-JMvciOaaUijktmc4FbdGf6D8LxjHV0W3vZ_ffJmG0jH2cVZC2mkrW2w68KSs4l20kpBbSH7BypJ5vaFTmMQ8ucLsI2AnUe2GM7Loch_ambzFTT5LjJwp0grHLM0cXm4uKL/s320/bunk.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
My ABSOLUTE, MOST favourite book!!!<br />
<br />
This book came into our lives through a second-hand books sale in the neighbourhood. We laughed a lot reading it at the book stall itself and have laughed again and again after every book reading!<br />
<br />
My 4 year old, who often does not have the patience to listen to stories till the very end, waits for the twist in the tale at the ending of the story.<br />
<br />
When I read this book out, I use rhyming Hindi words that go with the page illustrations and my 4 year old and I have some great laughs.<br />
<br />
Every. Single. Time.<br />
<br />
So what is it about? An inseparable sibling elephant pair, with the little one (Doris) following her elder sister (Shirley) everywhere. Shirley sometime loses patience but mostly in the book is resigned to her fate ( This is VERY different from our household and when my 10 year old reads it I point out some patient dealings by Shirley strategically! wink wink! !!!)<br />
Frustrated with Doris's clingy behaviour , their mom suggests buying a bunk bed so that they at least sleep separately that gets every one excited.<br />
All seems to go well till the end and Shirley will finally get to sleep away from Doris but wait... is that what is going to happen?<br />
<br />
Guaranteed to generate many laughs and squeals at the end , go ahead and seek this book out.<br />
<br />
I am an absolute fan of the author, Paula Metcalf's , work and follow her artwork on Facebook too. Here is the link https://www.facebook.com/paulametcalfcreations/<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-27923652407750578082017-09-29T06:06:00.000-07:002017-09-29T06:06:36.273-07:00Daddy is a Doodlebug- Buce Degen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Daddy is a Doodlebug is a fantastic book with a quirky sense of humour highlighting the special bond between a father and a child. Very few books focus on this aspect of parenting- it is either both parents in the story line or often the mother and the child. So when I saw this today in my university's library of children's books , I was delighted! My kids have a stay at home dad around them and they do many activities with him around. This surely was going to resonate with them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRTYL0Gr2WEuhSv9jaJj_IXAcAD9OSf0EqVS7yZI5CDDMWckoOo9XMwhs54MKmQXSoatGkSt0QVkfYQlhcGv8QoR3gvWBOsNoWOU6b9FUznhIXKvrx0eviEX3xr17o_wfG3-ch6hv_ola/s1600/doodlebug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="416" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRTYL0Gr2WEuhSv9jaJj_IXAcAD9OSf0EqVS7yZI5CDDMWckoOo9XMwhs54MKmQXSoatGkSt0QVkfYQlhcGv8QoR3gvWBOsNoWOU6b9FUznhIXKvrx0eviEX3xr17o_wfG3-ch6hv_ola/s320/doodlebug.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
So this is how it goes... two bugs ( a father and his son) do various activities together<br />
<br />
<br />
" Daddy is a doodlebug . I'm a doodlebug too<br />
...<br />
We both eat potoodle chips<br />
While walking through the zoo.<br />
'Cause Daddy is a foodlebug ,<br />
And I'm a foodlebug too.<br />
<br />
<br />
We padoodle the canoe in the sun and rain<br />
That's what Doodlebugs do<br />
<br />
' Cause Daddy is a canoedlebug,<br />
And I'm a canoedlebug too.<br />
<br />
It is the play of words, some pun here and there and vivid bright illustrations with humour hidden in them that make the book very appealing. My 10 year old laughed a lot while my 4 year old looked at it with delight.<br />
No wonder, because the author illustrator is Bruce Degen who is popular for his art humour in his Magic School Bus books! Here is a nice short interview of him where he frames humour as his top quality! Now that's my kind of quality . I love to watch kids laugh while reading a book or watching some good appropriate content.<br />
<br />
So here's a big thumbs up for this book.It is worth having it in your library!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-23787210200796051192016-07-04T23:40:00.006-07:002016-07-05T23:17:20.433-07:00Dragon Gets By- Dav Pilkey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJ7p9JSC6NcNlupc2o2gisi47nUFGxsAjHeabZVdIFEY2yqXDifPL5sq6lLDdLKROMFKRzuLhP5_k-WA5ru7qXw1hyKDLdSeKCX_sGt43SB1XLLjtO_zbtprLjT6ghyAVOBLE8RQOueku/s1600/dragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJ7p9JSC6NcNlupc2o2gisi47nUFGxsAjHeabZVdIFEY2yqXDifPL5sq6lLDdLKROMFKRzuLhP5_k-WA5ru7qXw1hyKDLdSeKCX_sGt43SB1XLLjtO_zbtprLjT6ghyAVOBLE8RQOueku/s400/dragon.jpg" /></a><br />
<b>Dragon Gets By</b> is a really nice book for children beginning to read on their own. It is a series of books featuring the not at all scary, no fire spewing, gentle dragon who is a bit silly.The first book of this series is "A friend for dragon: Dragon's first tales (1991) ." Apparently this series was also made into a TV series but I haven't seen that.<br />
<br />
I have only read this one book with my kid who was 6 years old at the time of our first reading, But this is also a book for early readers and younger kids. Here is this dragon barely managing his days through all muddled up chores be it sweeping, cleaning the yard, going shopping. The pictures are really funny and guarantee a laugh and also comforts you if you are a messy homekeeper yourself! ;)<br />
<br />
It is always a pleasure to read books that have been illustrated by the author him/herself because there is so much more that the picture conveys. Google books review informed me that the author, Dav Pilkey, is an award-winning author/illustrator of the Captain Underpants series as well. Here is his website for those interested in more of his work: <a href="http://www.pilkey.com/">www.pilkey.com</a><br />
<br />
Also, I have a positive bias towards the use of humour in children's books and when kids get the jokes, I so enjoy watching them laugh . Nothing beats being a silly blue dragon and being acknowledged for silly-ness by a toddler!<br />
<br />
The language is easy to read and as I wrote before pictures do so much of the talking. There are five stories in the book and each one involves the Dragon getting into some sort of a mess. By the end of the book you start liking the Dragon and wanting to know more of his simple, easygoing life.<br />
Here are some pages-pictures I took using my mobile camera<br />
just to give you an idea<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrt9XfQ5cukTdEGo_ch7vGUqT19ANZWJwYNEsHKf_8g8mHdQEijLtYgxU59uXnOsC1IGCR8AXFbO9f2Lw0SYOlE81j80CyPu_Pk7nIvFnvo3wDwZi1wNhO4T3keO0-YZ4ZPeq2bMk2ZBY3/s1600/IMG_20140201_115046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrt9XfQ5cukTdEGo_ch7vGUqT19ANZWJwYNEsHKf_8g8mHdQEijLtYgxU59uXnOsC1IGCR8AXFbO9f2Lw0SYOlE81j80CyPu_Pk7nIvFnvo3wDwZi1wNhO4T3keO0-YZ4ZPeq2bMk2ZBY3/s320/IMG_20140201_115046.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFoO1Z7UrxtdiTrFm15LKOgD3owNRRwXo5-wsvrxTMyi6VJDyvTjxzA5S2eG0SGrtpXJKinJbNKD0eVNHTjUGUY1x0dtucCbz3BMIJ636VFgFxTy2SsNkgJrvuAqpQkYJ9LVR7IFRp9Ea/s1600/IMG_20140201_115017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFoO1Z7UrxtdiTrFm15LKOgD3owNRRwXo5-wsvrxTMyi6VJDyvTjxzA5S2eG0SGrtpXJKinJbNKD0eVNHTjUGUY1x0dtucCbz3BMIJ636VFgFxTy2SsNkgJrvuAqpQkYJ9LVR7IFRp9Ea/s320/IMG_20140201_115017.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfIkHtrFxUZZOaw3aGcu_bboGFXyfRY5AhoOTNnwu_UfhooZvBpesdVRFGeCHtq4HwmfMt-VHRzF1AH3q7ShwjtaALdQhArw-5pBazeZ9iemW73OM89N92dcZ_fdoL0DvejVd4bMertuU/s1600/dragon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfIkHtrFxUZZOaw3aGcu_bboGFXyfRY5AhoOTNnwu_UfhooZvBpesdVRFGeCHtq4HwmfMt-VHRzF1AH3q7ShwjtaALdQhArw-5pBazeZ9iemW73OM89N92dcZ_fdoL0DvejVd4bMertuU/s320/dragon2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFoO1Z7UrxtdiTrFm15LKOgD3owNRRwXo5-wsvrxTMyi6VJDyvTjxzA5S2eG0SGrtpXJKinJbNKD0eVNHTjUGUY1x0dtucCbz3BMIJ636VFgFxTy2SsNkgJrvuAqpQkYJ9LVR7IFRp9Ea/s1600/IMG_20140201_115017.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
<br /></div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-86817439141917687622016-06-24T05:32:00.004-07:002016-06-24T05:36:05.916-07:00Fifth Lane series, Madhuri Purandare<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamNqBhgQkTyZDdFeBiqpHipfqF1rCiyUsu_czlXF4NqQ2bFWGcomRSi-JQgn5U_JaLSa1ylApNOAeC7zmkHPwv88W4auCKG0caX18-g1Vs3FnX3lvc2yN3JvbnKsVFAmtBhJzyWIL9ZjZ/s1600/Real+Neighbours+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamNqBhgQkTyZDdFeBiqpHipfqF1rCiyUsu_czlXF4NqQ2bFWGcomRSi-JQgn5U_JaLSa1ylApNOAeC7zmkHPwv88W4auCKG0caX18-g1Vs3FnX3lvc2yN3JvbnKsVFAmtBhJzyWIL9ZjZ/s200/Real+Neighbours+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read the two books in the Fifth lane series by Madhuri Purandare several times in these past few days. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">First off, I am a huge fan of her work. When I heard about the books I could barely wait to order them from https://jyotsnaprakashan.com/ who are actually my favourite publishers of children's books. My colleagues had felt the English translation of these Marathi books was not impressive but I disagree. Both the Marathi and the English versions are worth reading. I quickly gave off the English version as a gift because I wanted to make an effort to read Marathi( it is an adopted language for me) and am very happy I did that. But my 9 year old read it in English and really liked the stories too. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do read either in Marathi or in English because they are such tender tales with the most gorgeous of illustrations. I kept wishing I could dress up like some of the characters Madhuri P. has drawn in the books.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbHlLq8l9KXQouKj0o3BFFiNTa0HtOtqcvkUc_YXg7G0i_Nfm0cPuHhTD1HaKoPOozVuW9ZxEB8Hr7XfC8ZHS5ec2lRLaKaZZ6CFeqGFsKmxFwdLK8Ewm4pCJ6gteMbNjqI4Vhpx2P9uB/s1600/The+Fifth+Lane+Madhuri+Purandare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbHlLq8l9KXQouKj0o3BFFiNTa0HtOtqcvkUc_YXg7G0i_Nfm0cPuHhTD1HaKoPOozVuW9ZxEB8Hr7XfC8ZHS5ec2lRLaKaZZ6CFeqGFsKmxFwdLK8Ewm4pCJ6gteMbNjqI4Vhpx2P9uB/s200/The+Fifth+Lane+Madhuri+Purandare.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The books are titled 'Sakkhe Shejari' in Marathi which means true neighbours and Paanchvi Galli or Fifth Lane (The lane in which the building evolved from a bungalow) and it is a set of stories of residents living in an apartment through the eyes of Ketaki, a kid who lives with her single mom . So you get to meet different characters - a single parent, a hearing impaired mother, a stay at home artist dad, a single woman professional - who are all part of our worlds in a children's book.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Madhuri P. has managed to bring in a sense of a real community with people who are different - look different/talk different/dress different weaving in these themes effortlessly as Ketaki goes prancing around and observing acutely like only a child can! </span></div>
</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-87096417232743231332016-06-13T23:32:00.003-07:002016-06-13T23:32:31.998-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3r" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
<div style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
I revisited the Little Princess series yesterday for our younger one. She is not that into books as her sibling so I had to "trap" her through some lovely videos available on you tube(thankfully) of the T.V series, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Princess_(TV_series), and then we settled into reading some of the titles we had. Man, the three year old got every single humour! Be it the hairstyle of the princess thanks to the crown, the same style of clothes that she keeps choosing from, the tantrum and the open mouth scream, the admiral with a swimming tube, or the twist of the tongue when the princess writes letters. Hats off the the clever illustration that so spoke to a child's mind. </div>
</div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3r" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
<br /></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3r" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">Parents- this is a must- explore for your preschoolers if you want to introduce your kids to quirky humour. The main character is everything that you would warn your toddler about- bratty/ loud/rude/ demanding (most of the books start with a "I want..." title) and yet children get it because it features the joys and frustrations of childhood in the most endearing manner and an impish smile! </span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3r" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
<div style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3r" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
<div style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
My favourite title is "I want to be"</div>
<span style="line-height: 19.32px;"> </span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3r" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3r" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">http://www.littleprincesskingdom.com/</span><div class="_5wpt" style="border-left-color: rgb(220, 222, 227); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; font-family: inherit; padding-left: 12px;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="_3x-2" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.08px;">
<div data-ft="{"tn":"H"}" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="mtm" style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px;">
<div class="_6m2 _1zpr clearfix _dcs _4_w4 _5cwb" data-ft="{"tn":"H"}" id="u_1w_4" style="box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px 1.5px inset, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0470588) 0px 1px 1px; font-family: inherit; max-width: none; overflow: hidden; position: relative; z-index: 0; zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _2r3x" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit;">
<span class="_3m6-" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_6ks" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; position: relative; z-index: 1;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/genres/little-princess-books" rel="nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="-1" target="_blank"><div class="_6l- __c_" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<div class="uiScaledImageContainer _6m5 fbStoryAttachmentImage" style="background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: inherit; height: 158px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 158px;">
<img alt="" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="158" src="https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQAFOZJcMIShXMrz&w=158&h=158&url=https%3A%2F%2Fd.gr-assets.com%2Fbooks%2F1356209982l%2F16191418.jpg&cfs=1&upscale=1" style="border: 0px; height: auto; min-height: 100%; position: relative; vertical-align: bottom; width: 158px;" width="158" /></div>
</div>
</a></div>
</span></div>
<div class="_42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;">
<span class="_3c21" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_3ekx _29_4" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_6m3 _--6" style="font-family: inherit; height: 132px; margin: 10px 12px; position: relative;">
<div class="mbs _6m6 _2cnj _5s6c" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 5px; max-height: 110px; overflow: hidden; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out; word-wrap: break-word;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fgenres%2Flittle-princess-books&h=NAQHf_S7L&enc=AZMISy2oOqLzLYRo-cXwjPilcvR2bgySk6HjRYxX3srT6QPgw1DrsNDQMhz5Q602MWbk2xT608sVmfn0TrucBkaGChE3mGbWm-dFlZLpEWYgO9z97PtVdwj7W2b7E7ipFp0VBcKdHep7Ice7ELjVET41oD3qgXuN68chEMx7T_0qUntKd8Sy1ILU4mZKXRd4tv0&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1d2129; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Little Princess Books Shelf</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-1430999687776701892014-09-16T20:24:00.001-07:002014-09-16T20:24:34.744-07:00I want! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><br />I want everything from here: http://playfullearning.net/10-books-that-inspire-kids-to-write/<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Santa! Are you listening?! :) <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This one especially , " My Map Book" by Sara Fanelli. a wonderful picture book with vivid maps of the author’s bedroom, neighborhood, tummy, heart and so on…<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB0cGgKrFgKT6rBLLuSnkGUlVi7r4kTqPcDTyp7jCs_P6d1_gnO6LbfIcFlErutIfUYClkn5_a-icB7iPe6xP_5kl_ZcjuwfuK0SS7GE3Q0mMp7vTFqsOc_LL-G7w36uCM6aDqbZ8r2W6/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB0cGgKrFgKT6rBLLuSnkGUlVi7r4kTqPcDTyp7jCs_P6d1_gnO6LbfIcFlErutIfUYClkn5_a-icB7iPe6xP_5kl_ZcjuwfuK0SS7GE3Q0mMp7vTFqsOc_LL-G7w36uCM6aDqbZ8r2W6/s1600/map.jpg" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-31974076114940195852014-09-05T20:30:00.001-07:002014-09-05T20:31:21.718-07:00Myths and Legends from India- How and Why tales <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu754I2-4jac4N7NWlJIRNWLlf7kNv3Etd5t4KQt6g7acWhP4VVJCqiKK1NsewFVSDZHZo8j4BGzEaht69vbwDDG-tt1dpYRTJSf4hk3HZfRnxihUKNJhGZ4UXYLhCeXviPVHXiN1Od89c/s1600/IMG_20140905_210124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu754I2-4jac4N7NWlJIRNWLlf7kNv3Etd5t4KQt6g7acWhP4VVJCqiKK1NsewFVSDZHZo8j4BGzEaht69vbwDDG-tt1dpYRTJSf4hk3HZfRnxihUKNJhGZ4UXYLhCeXviPVHXiN1Od89c/s1600/IMG_20140905_210124.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Great book. Simple language. Charming stories that explain everyday rituals and practices in Hindu culture and the mythological beliefs behind them. Written from the perspective of a grandmother , the author, Rama Srinivas, committed to paper those oral folklores that gets passed down from one generation to another. Which is why not only they make a great read but are a valued contribution to the existing repository of mythological Hindu tales. Also, 'Greystroke' a regular on the illustrator circuit has contributed to it. ( Bangalore peeps would probably have met him in the Bangalore Children's literature groups)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshowU5uwZWdIzpQEpoYFv7_6EIkjQh83T6CAzwBVda4420ozeZUyhOFzCfIZOddGxoSc6a_YbTxgGZDudB7FhkEx1d8n3HF9zAUUeFcDOLl1xCLxm99PkAbVp65RaFIXR_Ysn8R8lOkR0/s1600/IMG_20140905_210159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshowU5uwZWdIzpQEpoYFv7_6EIkjQh83T6CAzwBVda4420ozeZUyhOFzCfIZOddGxoSc6a_YbTxgGZDudB7FhkEx1d8n3HF9zAUUeFcDOLl1xCLxm99PkAbVp65RaFIXR_Ysn8R8lOkR0/s1600/IMG_20140905_210159.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0esj7tjrE7Ux-NJBeqVIDlIp9ylpt7IVuI5qH4zxnzmPJlunXb_RhhspMH6cJ-OMJqtzYNJDbegXF0CokI0cp6glhGEXR4rGlOZaVOG9lLg0F8awHIK9CR8HWaG_KDjJdnCmrGAAj5ldr/s1600/IMG_20140905_210149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0esj7tjrE7Ux-NJBeqVIDlIp9ylpt7IVuI5qH4zxnzmPJlunXb_RhhspMH6cJ-OMJqtzYNJDbegXF0CokI0cp6glhGEXR4rGlOZaVOG9lLg0F8awHIK9CR8HWaG_KDjJdnCmrGAAj5ldr/s1600/IMG_20140905_210149.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>I like the stories because they explain the why and how of simple rituals practiced in our everyday life. For example, the origin of the practice of knocking on one's head while visiting a temple; or explaining why touching the ears or prostrating before God is common amongst some worshippers. Here is a nice story whose snapshot I attach about the 'One Eyed Crow'. <b> </b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUTqp5pNJ4ZuQK7p-w8YCjKk2mghaacWfxkabhHwymQlEmyVbtTkFCscIsyhzeRsYo0WZZUCuEfM4V8hHwYjgUJXisQ_zxFw6IZsC1Q2Ci_w1vcj1X0_FMKePpX_nzmSQYvQVuzBwsyF_/s1600/IMG_20140905_210215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUTqp5pNJ4ZuQK7p-w8YCjKk2mghaacWfxkabhHwymQlEmyVbtTkFCscIsyhzeRsYo0WZZUCuEfM4V8hHwYjgUJXisQ_zxFw6IZsC1Q2Ci_w1vcj1X0_FMKePpX_nzmSQYvQVuzBwsyF_/s1600/IMG_20140905_210215.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
Here is a nice note from the author explaining the origins of her book.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The copy I have is from my daughter's school library. It was published by MacMillan India Limited in 1997 and priced at Rs. 18/- However I find no internet trail and am wondering if it was reproduced. What a pity if it is not. </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
P.s. Sorry about the bad quality pictures on this post- taken from my mobile phone and shaky hand.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-84863647036023968402014-09-04T01:13:00.002-07:002016-07-04T22:32:52.988-07:00Holy Cow and Other Divine Beasts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68QxweY0jSiHdhMga3pNzxJZ5gXSbNBVKlUL-1GhyM5qMUn3ul4qC0hsi74FMI457-8OVfR5qhl84NS31WHxYpFQTAXIt7iWDNu5-xmOnbpquPCB4-JPecaRS4nSCz7hgfsflJv48mk0u/s1600/IMG_20140204_210156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68QxweY0jSiHdhMga3pNzxJZ5gXSbNBVKlUL-1GhyM5qMUn3ul4qC0hsi74FMI457-8OVfR5qhl84NS31WHxYpFQTAXIt7iWDNu5-xmOnbpquPCB4-JPecaRS4nSCz7hgfsflJv48mk0u/s320/IMG_20140204_210156.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Indian Mythological tales are to me the best form of story telling. Full of imagination, excitement, vividity, they contain a special appeal to children. They are also quite amenable to vivd illustrations so when I picked up this book and saw how its author and artist , Shiela Dhir has interpreted the stories in traditional Mithila style of art form, I was hooked.<br />
<br />
<br />
And this Scholastic book written and illustrated by Shiela Dhir does such a wonderful job. The illustrations are also done by the author (since she is a NID graduate- this makes sense!) in the Mihila art style making this book come alive with its colour and form. The simple narrative are like short stories describing mythical Hindu figures ranging from Surabhi, Hanuman, Airavata, Manasa, Varaha, Narsimha, Ananta, Matsya , Garuda.Kurma. Very educative for parents like me who are very sketchy with their mythological knowledge with a kid who wants to be very up to date!<br />
Here is a sample page I clicked from my phone to give you an idea, my crude version of Look Inside"!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagk3w-ZskLb-cRTa5BLzur7qTZ0UgtHyk9MsXckQA8wYD-Fe9iyOZ0eiy_dz9Acb78LmG5-PSyKfUCmwR19tkEd4EiXgo5YZy8hzIeyZwOuQxm6thvZ5xcFjMbjCeOAxM4WXP3i289QQ9/s1600/matsya.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagk3w-ZskLb-cRTa5BLzur7qTZ0UgtHyk9MsXckQA8wYD-Fe9iyOZ0eiy_dz9Acb78LmG5-PSyKfUCmwR19tkEd4EiXgo5YZy8hzIeyZwOuQxm6thvZ5xcFjMbjCeOAxM4WXP3i289QQ9/s320/matsya.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw_010vPX-wKwI66VKEeg3mzc8jvkmeGjJ-mMWIqJivgY5CNwCcIqgfhnfiKdePaW4ka7MxBUN-6RDQKt3j0PUF4ybUCiqCGJXaVpa1BWBp54j3EZhMaFEGesWlRVLRJEkZkuSWo1sdwG/s1600/IMG_20140204_210705.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw_010vPX-wKwI66VKEeg3mzc8jvkmeGjJ-mMWIqJivgY5CNwCcIqgfhnfiKdePaW4ka7MxBUN-6RDQKt3j0PUF4ybUCiqCGJXaVpa1BWBp54j3EZhMaFEGesWlRVLRJEkZkuSWo1sdwG/s320/IMG_20140204_210705.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
And here's some interesting Trivia about the author:http://scholastic.co.in/en/authors/sheila-dhir<br />
<br /></div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-30263276911080329752014-09-03T02:16:00.003-07:002014-09-04T01:09:19.825-07:00Little Princess Tony Ross<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-bkBC3brwJrkEgKem4qmbohgk4-fkkV9PbORwOVFyXRi4GKyS7tpK6fCerKXypGrHTTv_ezuZIvRM9_ISa5xHjSV8yQiIZ20iCTZOksRjxYy8TX-6C0ZD-HDCzFN0zbTV63txBiOJIno/s1600/I+want+to+be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-bkBC3brwJrkEgKem4qmbohgk4-fkkV9PbORwOVFyXRi4GKyS7tpK6fCerKXypGrHTTv_ezuZIvRM9_ISa5xHjSV8yQiIZ20iCTZOksRjxYy8TX-6C0ZD-HDCzFN0zbTV63txBiOJIno/s1600/I+want+to+be.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
HAHAHA to the 'Little Princess' books that always make us laugh. <br />
<br />
We stumbled upon this series when we were watching BBC's ch<a href="http://www.channel5.com/shows/little-princess">annel 5 programs</a> and Man! what a find! Ever since we have been squealing in delight on discovering these books in libraries or book shops here in Bangalore!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tony Ross is the author/illustrator and <a href="http://www.illustrationcupboard.com/artist_bio.aspx?aId=153">here</a> is a lovely write up about his other work (also illustrated the Horrid Henry series )<br />
<br />
This adoringly impish princess is the main character of this book series; surrounded by grown ups of the royal household such as her parents- the king and queen, little brother, admiral, cook, nanny, prime - minister, and the doctor . Lovely illustrations;crazy illustrations- Little Princess wearing a saucepan on her head, the nose digger cook, a doctor with chicken pox , a delightful little girl with a crown---what's not to love and laugh!<br />
<br />
Also, every 'Little Princess' story has some endearing thought attached. </div>
<div>
Take this book "I want to be" as an example. The cover has a lipstick smeared face and the story begins with her announcement of " <i>the time has come to grow up</i>". The princess goes around asking "<i>what is the best way to be?</i>"</div>
<div>
"<i>Kind like your father", </i>suggests her mother; "L<i>oving, like your mother</i>", suggests her father; "<i>Clean</i>", says the cook standing in a filthy kitchen as he sticks a finger in his nose ; the prime minister, worried about his last piece of a puzzle says ``<i>be clever</i>''; and the doctor--covered with pox--advises her to "<i>be healthy"</i>. Finally confused with all these replies she goes to her nanny who lovingly lifts her up in her arms and instructs her to " <i>Be yourself</i>" <br />
<br />
At the end sitting on her potty she declares "<i>I want to be tall"</i> and in comes her little brother saying " <i>You are already tall"</i>!<br />
<br />
Such giggles.<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-65368202926338761352014-08-25T00:54:00.002-07:002014-08-25T00:54:18.412-07:00The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_lT8ZJP9UEtxz08m6N4oLK31oWfV1zBiwAHdQMZDXdMXn-CWZxeFbS3BcqulLMOGSA58O0YivcJPlgAArE1GO2K5oJaPHHVLe7c-mZ9-3wGRT6xNjB3g-coGV8mL2rtG8LIQQyOFKwVR/s1600/The-Dot-by-Peter-Reynolds-A-book-on-encouraging-childrens-creativity-and-artistic-self-confidence-350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_lT8ZJP9UEtxz08m6N4oLK31oWfV1zBiwAHdQMZDXdMXn-CWZxeFbS3BcqulLMOGSA58O0YivcJPlgAArE1GO2K5oJaPHHVLe7c-mZ9-3wGRT6xNjB3g-coGV8mL2rtG8LIQQyOFKwVR/s1600/The-Dot-by-Peter-Reynolds-A-book-on-encouraging-childrens-creativity-and-artistic-self-confidence-350.jpg" height="400" width="200" /></a></div>
Would love, love, love to have this book with me. Here's a review ( not mine- since I haven't checked it out myself) that is getting me all excited about owning this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Pontano Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 24.375px; margin-bottom: 3rem; padding: 0px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em;">I bought </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763619612/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763619612&linkCode=as2&tag=theartpar02-20&linkId=4XLQ6VI3FWRMHCFR" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #f05123; line-height: 1.5em; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;" title="The Dot"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Dot</em> </a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em;">by Peter H. Reynolds recently and thought it was wonderful.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.5em;">It’s about a young girl who doesn’t think she can draw, but who has an amazing art teacher who encourages her creativity and artistic self-confidence. </span>Maia enjoys <em style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box;">The Dot</em> and wants to read it several times in a sitting, but the book is really aimed at older kids and even adults. Maia, of course, hasn’t gotten to the stage where she might question her drawing ability and I hope that she never does.I worried a little (as I worry about everything!) that by reading her a book about a child who doesn’t think she can draw that I might be introducing the concept to her. But in the end I decided that the book is really about a girl who grows tremendously in creativity and confidence and who goes on to draw and paint enough for a whole art show. And really, I shouldn’t worry so much!<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 2rem; letter-spacing: 0.1rem; text-transform: uppercase;">THE DOT IS A BOOK ABOUT CREATIVITY </span>And is written to encourage artistic self confidence.</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Pontano Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br /></span>
Via: <a href="http://artfulparent.com/2008/02/the-dot-a-book-about-creativity-and-confidence.html">http://artfulparent.com/2008/02/the-dot-a-book-about-creativity-and-confidence.html</a><br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-43272662474701151542014-08-25T00:40:00.000-07:002014-09-04T01:13:06.404-07:00Rimjhim - Hindi Textbook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6MK0KEgMy3sJ-3MYVTQrUscidpDVy_akK0tGA0mi0MbomrMbEGZQjerJIi7LA6lJVj9dHlHSE1QMlyzxLi6SXLKYepA6kkPKc4gEyb1FlQxZK-nOqdNZPkZpnKKP4H6efvB6CJZAXu9H/s1600/hindi+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6MK0KEgMy3sJ-3MYVTQrUscidpDVy_akK0tGA0mi0MbomrMbEGZQjerJIi7LA6lJVj9dHlHSE1QMlyzxLi6SXLKYepA6kkPKc4gEyb1FlQxZK-nOqdNZPkZpnKKP4H6efvB6CJZAXu9H/s1600/hindi+book.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
Young Hindi language learners!!!<br />
The NCERT Hindi textbook may just be the right resource for you if you are interested to learn a language in the most interesting of ways: art, activities, stories,culture, folklore and more!<br />
<br />
Very impressed with this Class 1 CBSE textbook that I picked up called 'Rimjhim' .It is simple, fun, and attractive book ---gently encourages your child towards learning Hindi pick the RimJhim series published by NCERT.<br />
The class 1 book meant for a 6 year old has no " k, kha , gaa" to memorise before anything else. It dives straight into a world of stories and imagination with words that kids relate to in their school life. Wonderful illustrations, Hindi ditties, folk art (Madhubani or Warli anyone?) , riddles, picture stories- what else can you ask for while teaching a language! I just wish they had improved on the paper quality but maybe it is a trade off for keeping the prices low. (Rs 50/-)<br />
<br />
If you are a looking to pick up a Hindi book to teach your kid the language, do seriously think of this. If you are looking to supplement the existing Hindi textbooks prescribed in the school , even then think of this.<br />
Here is a link where you can download them online for free:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ncert.nic.in/NCERTS/textbook/textbook.htm?ahhn1=0-23">http://www.ncert.nic.in/NCERTS/textbook/textbook.htm?ahhn1=0-23</a></div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-74688529271150340442014-07-28T20:07:00.000-07:002014-07-28T20:07:14.317-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Taking a break from reviewing children's books to put this wonderful resource up<br />
: http://en.childrenslibrary.org/<br />
where you can get some wonderful children's books digitally archived for you to read for free.<br />
<br />
Here is what part of their mission statement says :<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The ICDL Foundation's goal is to build a collection of books that represents outstanding historical and contemporary books from throughout the world. Ultimately, the Foundation aspires to have every culture and language represented so that every child can know and appreciate the riches of children's literature from the world community.</blockquote>
<br />
How wonderful! </div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-11179490182724613562014-02-11T23:25:00.000-08:002014-02-11T23:53:31.428-08:00Dolma visits the city<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnYdRP-jSOmX_XmN3VvB_VjeGOW7HrV0I6SPsnS-xfTLrhx2Sj_api4AdPmGjrjw3uTi4mACsGJ-bLRyVaRQdsyrVymHX46VtF0O-tLU5NbnaPEYk9nBColrXBeTISSskgHAYsM_oG7P9/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnYdRP-jSOmX_XmN3VvB_VjeGOW7HrV0I6SPsnS-xfTLrhx2Sj_api4AdPmGjrjw3uTi4mACsGJ-bLRyVaRQdsyrVymHX46VtF0O-tLU5NbnaPEYk9nBColrXBeTISSskgHAYsM_oG7P9/s1600/download.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">School closes for the winter break and Dolma is excited about her vacations. She is singing her father’s favourite song while waiting for him to come home. On seeing her dad, Pa-La , Dolma runs up to him in joy. But Pa-La doesn’t share her excitement about school holidays and Dolma remembers why. He will soon have to go away to the big city to earn a living. Like many other Tibetan refugees of the Phuntsokling refugee camp , in Chandagiri, Orissa , Pa-La will once again spend the winter away from Dolma and her mother selling sweaters in Bangalore. Although Dolma loves to sing, no one can coax a song out of Dolma after her Pa-la goes away. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But Ama-La , Dolma’s mother, has a surprise for Dolma. They are going to Bangalore to help and be with Pa-La. Dolma visits a big Indian city for the first time- excited and nervous- observing the traffic, customs, markets and the people. Dolma does her best to help not only in setting up the shop but also in cooking the Thukpa, organizing a community feast, and celebrating Losar, the Tibetan New Year, with other Tibetans sellers in Bangalore. In the end, much to her Pa-La’s delight, Dolma sings a lovely Tibetan folk song for every one present.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A gift from a friend,Benson, this book didn't catch my 5 year old's fancy for a while because of </span>the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> long text. But once we did a reading together, she was on a roll. I often saw her seeking it out and reading it and attempting to mimic some of the words and it soon became a hot favourite!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
Also written as a political commentary ( which book on Tibet and its people wouldn't be ) Aravinda Anantharaman cleverly introduces Tibetan customs, language, food, and culture through a simple story. This book can be a great way to encourage discussion about different communities, life in exile, and at the same time about the hopes and aspirations of children alike. </div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end a well compiled glossary provides more nuggets of information. There is even an interesting glossary of Tibetan words used in the book. It is one of the two children’s books written as Meyul series that attempt to offer children a glimpse of life in an exile community. (Meyul is a Tibetan word that means a place that is not one’s home. ) More on this here: </span>http://www.thinktibet.org/project/books/dolma-visit-the-city</div>
</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-80453586878878075622013-05-23T23:02:00.001-07:002013-05-23T23:02:56.298-07:00Dongdong and His Kitten<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u4VHlNl9O92RX3Sw09E-eR1NN7le8zA3tdl6Rg0hnkvUvdeKUI7JIZyPSmoD2-IDQlUHGNangkfiuejnhvThL_GSYA5o99sJn5vnd7IBEFPFBQMiqV2trCjQ3_sz13CNI5rewSBJjqF0/s1600/dongdong.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u4VHlNl9O92RX3Sw09E-eR1NN7le8zA3tdl6Rg0hnkvUvdeKUI7JIZyPSmoD2-IDQlUHGNangkfiuejnhvThL_GSYA5o99sJn5vnd7IBEFPFBQMiqV2trCjQ3_sz13CNI5rewSBJjqF0/s200/dongdong.gif" width="174" /></a></div>
I was rummaging around in my nephews's old book shelf and surprise, surprise-- found a Chinese picture book (written in English)!<br />
<br />
Now that was a first! Not only it has a great story line but has some nice art work - so refreshing and different from the Western/ Indian world of picture books I am used to. I took a picture of one of its pages below for you to take a look.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAWJZG7dVltfA2r7-7KTBAQKQ4SJbU_ryqnVeJ5CGDRJMxyhTzzMLi5dPXXV2aHhAI-l4740l48BiVHlisvrxChIw3jUem7flZUft6qZr9ya9JCaCwbBKjF08Ov-6njZhHh1XX87I89Vo/s1600/dong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAWJZG7dVltfA2r7-7KTBAQKQ4SJbU_ryqnVeJ5CGDRJMxyhTzzMLi5dPXXV2aHhAI-l4740l48BiVHlisvrxChIw3jUem7flZUft6qZr9ya9JCaCwbBKjF08Ov-6njZhHh1XX87I89Vo/s400/dong.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It is published by Dolphin Books; the story is by Xu Xinghua; and illustrations by Yuan Xiaomin.<br />
<br />
<i>This is how the story goes: </i><br />
<br />
Dongdong breaks a vase by mistake and blames it on Kitty, his kitten. When his mother decides to send Kitty away and starts putting her in the basket, Dongdong admits to having broken the vase. His mom ( predictably ) tells him not to tell lies and lets Kitty out.<br />
<br />
<i>Now here is the nice bit as the story continues:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Kitty on another day breaks a bowl while stealing a fish from the kitchen and Dongdong doesn't know what to do. He worries that mom will this time really send Kitty off so he takes on the blame. Mom looks at him as if to ask him what to do. He begs her not to send Kitty away and his mom says," That depends on whether you 're going to behave yourself now". Dongdong admonishes Kitty and says, "Don't steal any more fish". The story ends with Mama gently stroking Dongdong and reiterating: "Never tell a lie, there's a good boy."<br />
<br />
It is a great preschooler's book about behaviour without being preachy. To me this story speaks about an important theme-- children lie because they are afraid of how we will react as parents/adults. I wish I can get hold of the other books listed in the Dongdong series! Any idea , how?</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-73956265867996317102013-03-14T21:50:00.002-07:002013-03-14T21:50:35.548-07:00Germs! Germs! Germs! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XTjzRaVaZZD9tZeJRBWRqplMprhyTsY5Fhfp4mPYBpOEjh3P68e43RuGiJMBFpI_zI3sMd3rq5iikfQId1ACxWSWz9wlt3SrT3GH_W6oYx1AxVEHbJ6qpXEDL4cvXTkxSBQFekArFUmu/s1600/0590672959_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XTjzRaVaZZD9tZeJRBWRqplMprhyTsY5Fhfp4mPYBpOEjh3P68e43RuGiJMBFpI_zI3sMd3rq5iikfQId1ACxWSWz9wlt3SrT3GH_W6oYx1AxVEHbJ6qpXEDL4cvXTkxSBQFekArFUmu/s200/0590672959_xlg.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Scholastic publishers have these 'Hello Reader!' series that I am personally quite fond of. They are age appropriate and offer varied options according to the reading ability of the child. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I quite like the book on Germs that has great rhymes and fun illustrations to drive some key messages home. </div>
<br />
Sample this:<br />
<i>We're on the ground, </i><br />
<i>We're in the air. </i><br />
<i>We're germs </i><br />
<i>and we live everywhere!</i><br />
<i>Or</i><br />
<div>
<i>Knock-knock, body. Let us in! </i></div>
<i>We'll make you sick once we begin!</i><div>
<i><br /></i><i>Every germ thinks it's just grand</i><i><br />to hop in a mouth on a dirty hand.</i><div>
<i><br /></i><i><br /></i>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Written by</b> <b>Bobby Katz and illustrated by Steve Bjorkman</b> , the book is written from the perspective of germs and when they are happy attacking you and your body and when they get shut out. Informative about what helps germs multiply and what keeps them away and also some facts about your body. They have some fun names like "hurry ups" who don't flush or wash after potty, "nose pickers", "sneezers" and "coughers" that make kids laugh. This makes the health and hygiene lesson fun instead of preachy. Nicely done! My kid's school library also has it and the teacher has read it out to them. So in my opinion, very useful for any educator or parent.</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-47529587430493897502013-03-13T19:12:00.000-07:002013-03-13T19:12:46.677-07:00The Veena Player<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When we were living in Holland we were constantly amazed at how kids accompanied adults to museums, art installations, exhibitions; and in turn how child friendly these places were. At some point we picked up a thin booklet published by Rijks Museum , Amsterdam, named 'Gordon the Warden, And His Rijksmuseum Top 5'. Five famous paintings are depicted in the booklet and by means of some clever riddles/ puzzles/ fun facts, children are encouraged to discover art and history. Here are some images of this booklet I took this morning to share on this blog.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkEe3GBvk2LEOdxfgYpIamlxfJF8hedUCoQYsklsCcDOypYgntxCsJjaa3FhRIBU2BT7acLa3olcZrIpL_lZCIemuHsLeuzJp5rSkzKOsM4Nft5Eh4Oxymv1oVyAlkBcs2ym8qQzSiTzB/s1600/13+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkEe3GBvk2LEOdxfgYpIamlxfJF8hedUCoQYsklsCcDOypYgntxCsJjaa3FhRIBU2BT7acLa3olcZrIpL_lZCIemuHsLeuzJp5rSkzKOsM4Nft5Eh4Oxymv1oVyAlkBcs2ym8qQzSiTzB/s320/13+-+1.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpH8ybXqpJi4t3kHniCo6RDge3jFZYPaPx69LBJxBPOa98f1K895X0IdDM5OYvbbvBURvN0G1Mx5xDRz2aFGEzv0JLVOJD14T6JOLqjCweugL4F6zP9fAjHsMvXY1tS1Imc3v_-AXFqHb/s1600/13+-+1+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpH8ybXqpJi4t3kHniCo6RDge3jFZYPaPx69LBJxBPOa98f1K895X0IdDM5OYvbbvBURvN0G1Mx5xDRz2aFGEzv0JLVOJD14T6JOLqjCweugL4F6zP9fAjHsMvXY1tS1Imc3v_-AXFqHb/s320/13+-+1+(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3TXfe7p7_jgoyEVzRQD2XuPcGPp2MTAMobMAZ8BU9vDijPWW11kvykjDkjtPwsGpEWESEYYB_SUKjFA8L91uAVmD4xv3niCxu2ndJERhKNm45DNi1EA8dIff72xKAKM4OZoT4eBtjRxb/s1600/veena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3TXfe7p7_jgoyEVzRQD2XuPcGPp2MTAMobMAZ8BU9vDijPWW11kvykjDkjtPwsGpEWESEYYB_SUKjFA8L91uAVmD4xv3niCxu2ndJERhKNm45DNi1EA8dIff72xKAKM4OZoT4eBtjRxb/s1600/veena.jpg" /></a>Ever since we introduced books to our daughter , I have been on a constant lookout for age appropriate books that encouraged looking at art , history, culture in a fun way. And I think <b>The Veena Player from Tulika books </b>is a close find. Written by Anjali Raghbeer and illustrated by Soumya Menon , it is one of the four part books that leads children into the world of India's best known artists. This book is about the works of Ravi Varma.<br />
<br />
<br />
I was a bit hum- ho about the story line but my 5 year old has reissued it several times from the library so I guess it does speak to her. Also, on our recent visit to Tranquebar- she recognized many of Ravi Varma's work displayed in the hotel lobby and that really made me think- "wow. the book did a good job in introducing the artist, then!" In the end the book has a 4 page description of Ravi Varma's life, his paintings, what made them special, and his influence on pop culture and art. That is interesting read for older children and adults like me who are not that well versed with art! My 5 year old sticks to the story and closely observes the art.<br />
<br />
Priced at Rs. 200/- it is a bit steep but I think it is a book worthwhile for your collection. The other books in the series portray Amrita Sher-Gil, Jamini Roy and M.F Hussain.</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-41803809541171618242013-03-13T00:31:00.000-07:002014-09-21T09:29:18.351-07:00सो भी जायो , अनोखी ! Sov nu,Vesta -Linnea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXKrfMoFGDkVz_hZKC-kWkVw_KBRv2sdECh4JxOFFsgPU_YndYNMQB1C86Zd-iosIQQw72LwFoPat5wtcaTFpXv9vogqujT5hYwdtMgtyAM1UTUU2UtUmVMUp3zvHdzYgoQ68dtoaMuVY/s1600/finn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXKrfMoFGDkVz_hZKC-kWkVw_KBRv2sdECh4JxOFFsgPU_YndYNMQB1C86Zd-iosIQQw72LwFoPat5wtcaTFpXv9vogqujT5hYwdtMgtyAM1UTUU2UtUmVMUp3zvHdzYgoQ68dtoaMuVY/s400/finn.jpg" height="400" width="283" /></a></div>
<br />
I was rummaging around for children's books we haven't read in our local library and decided to look in the Hindi section for a change. Since I was expecting to find mostly CBT/ NBT/Pratham Books/ Tullika/Tara books you can imagine my surprise when I pulled out this book ! It was in Hindi and it's title read <br />
" So bhi Jayo- Anokhi!" सो भी जायो , अनोखी !<br />
<br />
I was so fascinated with its illustrations and art work and knew right there and then that I have to snap out of my procrastination in updating this blog with this very book review.<br />
<br />
Originally, this book is in Swedish published in Finland , written by <b>Tara Appelgren</b> and illustrated by <b>Salla Savolainen</b>. It has been translated in Hindi by <b>Arundhati Deosthale</b> and was published by Arvind Kumar publishers: <a href="http://www.arvindkumarpublishers.com/">http://www.arvindkumarpublishers.com/</a>. I had never heard of this publishing group but had a hunch about who could be involved when I read on the back cover that this book translation was part of their foreign picture book series. I was right about a few members and <a href="http://www.arvindkumarpublishers.com/aboutus.asp">here</a> is a list of them. <br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, so more about the book: Brilliant artwork. I have been going over it again and again. There is a centre spread where the artist shows the layout of the whole house. It is delightful. Also, the story line is endearing. Anokhi has trouble sleeping at night and when she does scary thoughts and monsters keep her awake. She thinks it is not right to wake her mom up every night but does like to go to her room every night and feel reassured. Her mother is surprised to find Anokhi sleeping against her bedroom door and gives her many cuddles.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I searched a bit online and found that Vesta-Linnea books are a series. And going by the review published <a href="http://www.booksfromfinland.fi/2009/03/vesta-linneas-svartaste-tank/">here</a>, I discovered that Vesta-Linnéa’s family consists of her mother, stepfather, two younger sisters and a big brother. The stepfather angle makes me understand a little bit more of this story. Anyways, am not going to spoil it for you. It is a lovely book , Priced at Rs. 60/- it is a steal.<br />
<div>
<div>
<br />
I am very happy Arundhati Deosthale translated it in Hindi for I would have never discovered this but I must admit the Hindi is not easy , even to a native hindi speaker like me. The text font is very small and crowded and while reading it out to your 4-8 year old you will have to cut down on many words and keep it simple. But. It is worth it. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-79581991280345504972012-07-11T03:33:00.001-07:002012-07-11T03:33:56.654-07:00Princess Poppy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSsi8X1xRJY1VwJYpmcpJQRZrxMs0LJ2bfQYVOwrog1PJt_1rzoomX-yqtjCkfwlalu_s9t8PlOyTPFx9RDvpAiDn_WykOXS-dGTBn4p-5hmXb_HH007dekaBs8JYYBKpRBPLEtZwvzuX/s1600/poppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSsi8X1xRJY1VwJYpmcpJQRZrxMs0LJ2bfQYVOwrog1PJt_1rzoomX-yqtjCkfwlalu_s9t8PlOyTPFx9RDvpAiDn_WykOXS-dGTBn4p-5hmXb_HH007dekaBs8JYYBKpRBPLEtZwvzuX/s320/poppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If you are a parent like me who cringes at anything related to Barbie but your kid is so into princesses and fairies and ends up looking at all sorts of books with a Barbie image on them then Princess Poppy is your answer!<br />
<br />
These are a series of attractive books with great stories designed for a little girl reader and their Barbie hating moms!;))<br />
<br />
Everything about the book will appeal to the 4-5 year old princesses who would love the dainty flowers, tiny golden stars, the little envelope with a note right in front, the colour scheme , the map of Honeypot Hill featuring in every book - everything!<br />
<br />
All the characters have such kind faces and the focus is on the story and less on the dress/ hair/makeup or looks of 'Poppy' and her friends and Family. The stories are about friendship, sharing, feelings, standing up for yourself -such lovely themes!<br />
However, my favourite part is their tag line, "Every Little Girl is a Princess". <span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
Here's a nice interview with the author, Janey Louise Jones : <a href="http://clubs-kids.scholastic.co.uk/clubs_content/2170">http://clubs-kids.scholastic.co.uk/clubs_content/2170</a><br />
Veronica Vasylenko does a fabulous job of illustrating the stories but seems to have got little mention of her work on the web.<br />
Ah! Also! The Random House group has developed a nice website for your kid to tinker around after she is done with the reading. <a href="http://www.princesspoppy.com/">http://www.princesspoppy.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-19387597579746204832012-06-22T00:36:00.000-07:002016-07-05T23:38:45.570-07:00Today Was a Terrible Day-Patricia Reilly Giff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpwMtT04J_KNpcB0-3fYdKnLTrD5oAf1HT2h8Rrtv9tsYF6CFUsy_C22aS9DVzmJfW-jg2Qf-TYrLrumd5BhV4vnJL1GLkwiQC9ACf5NYGHSkl-vCVuSykzCqo8XD1vAHC-KcAETRbRwM/s1600/terribleday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpwMtT04J_KNpcB0-3fYdKnLTrD5oAf1HT2h8Rrtv9tsYF6CFUsy_C22aS9DVzmJfW-jg2Qf-TYrLrumd5BhV4vnJL1GLkwiQC9ACf5NYGHSkl-vCVuSykzCqo8XD1vAHC-KcAETRbRwM/s320/terribleday.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
Absolutely delighted reading this book!<br />
<br />
On first glance it does seem it is in line with Judith V's book, 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day' but it differs with a twist in the tale and its classroom setting.<br />
Susanna Natti has done a wonderful job of illustrating those frustrating emotions and feelings as well as school life. I loved the hand written note-it looked so real with the blue ball point ink!<br />
In my internet search about Patricia I came across her <a href="http://www.blogger.com/:http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/patriciareillygiff/">blog</a> and understood the book better. Patricia was a teacher for 20 years. As part of a write up on her <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/features/patriciareillygiff/patriciagiff.htm">here</a>, she says,<br />
"All of my books are based in some way on my personal experiences, or the experiences of members of my family, or the stories kids would tell me in school."<br />
I liked this book even better when I read this as well in the write up: "I want the children to bubble up with laughter, or to cry over my books. I want to picture them under a cherry tree or at the library with my book in their hands. But more, I want to see them reading in the classroom. I want to see children in solitude at their desks, reading, absorbing, lost in a book." <br />
<br />
Worth recommending for talking to your kid about having a sense of humour. My kid laughs loudly every time we go over the , "Hello Michael? This is Snakey." bit in the end.<br />
Worth recommending also for narrating how school life really is-being called names, being laughed at, feeling left out , and then happy times because I really do believe children live in the moment. <br />
But most of all worth recommending for the delicate teacher-student bond that shines through in this book. </div>
Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-73639188643157358652012-02-10T02:14:00.000-08:002012-02-10T02:14:45.426-08:00A Very Unusual Dog- Dorothy Joan Harris and Kim Lafave<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWlTe_GUmuatK5TLLwZmjj-uULvb1j0Z-tBYSRpPf7DRDgkCKIrYqbO_xgnmQ_IvO7BPaz8hf5bbLoDAcu_WY78s3mSvhDVWDn_rlQryuPuHY4Ldv1DPaMDYY-T9QVz8BbseWo9wbF1Jo/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWlTe_GUmuatK5TLLwZmjj-uULvb1j0Z-tBYSRpPf7DRDgkCKIrYqbO_xgnmQ_IvO7BPaz8hf5bbLoDAcu_WY78s3mSvhDVWDn_rlQryuPuHY4Ldv1DPaMDYY-T9QVz8BbseWo9wbF1Jo/s200/book.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Such a tender tale of a child with an imaginary dog,an elder sister pooh poohing his claims, an understanding mother, and a sensitive grandmother.Dorothy Joan Harris, its author is a fairly well know children's author. From the back cover I learnt that she is also a grandmother and that really shines out in this story.<br />
<br />
Published by North Winds Press, a division of Scholastic Cananda Ltd , it is sold by Scholastic India at Rs. 175/-<br />
<br />
An adorable book and a very heart warming story line. Absolutely loved the warm illustrations and the colours Kim Lafave has created for the book. <br />
Look out for it!</div>Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-69744827852135910312011-12-24T05:08:00.000-08:002011-12-24T05:15:55.034-08:00Pirate Mom- By Deborah Underwood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwdX20VQa9brXas3UDaj4BB-c59LP48ZXADU4ZwIx32psgviqJ69M3zMNGTHKZ7V4t6mg1rAEe_0DqcZt8znaCTUF7JnKD0S83oisoy7vWGLt_m7poYqoXJ8a9aDERryntPuDs-lfTQf_/s1600/piratemom+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwdX20VQa9brXas3UDaj4BB-c59LP48ZXADU4ZwIx32psgviqJ69M3zMNGTHKZ7V4t6mg1rAEe_0DqcZt8znaCTUF7JnKD0S83oisoy7vWGLt_m7poYqoXJ8a9aDERryntPuDs-lfTQf_/s200/piratemom+%25282%2529.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div>This is a real fun book. Pete's mom who doesn't fancy the idea of playing along with Pete's obsession of pirates is in for a surprise. Amazing Marco the magician requests Pete's mom to volunteer for his magic hypnosis show. Pete suggests Marco turns her into a pirate and before you know it Pete's mom is all over saying ARRRR! and scaring neighbours and the postman! How will he get her back to being his polite, well mannered mom?</div><br />
Refreshing story, great art work ( love it how the mom's expression changes pre and post pirate mode) and how it makes kids laugh. Great book for a story telling session.<br />
<br />
If you have a pirate-loving little kid pick this one up for sure! </div>Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-68536505608055980842011-11-20T03:59:00.000-08:002011-11-20T03:59:34.401-08:00THE LONELY KING AND QUEEN by Deepa Balsavar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSDYaUAQgIq8D2Oc0_sLyStSTdCF4RoCU_G2wmPgDgk8M27pmRfydF_cnxfF5hf78KvdKl4AKxKvcT7w0LoJSF9pwTTmnWFV4L1iUZKVn7hGQB6nicp7qojNjtdp5LvCERC8CZUkFitm2/s1600/22yt_book1_jpg_508211f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSDYaUAQgIq8D2Oc0_sLyStSTdCF4RoCU_G2wmPgDgk8M27pmRfydF_cnxfF5hf78KvdKl4AKxKvcT7w0LoJSF9pwTTmnWFV4L1iUZKVn7hGQB6nicp7qojNjtdp5LvCERC8CZUkFitm2/s200/22yt_book1_jpg_508211f.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I saw this lovely book today at my friend's Ulka's house and I knew this had to make it to my next post here.<br />
<br />
It's a Tullika book; written and illustrated by Deepa Balsavar (who I later found out works for Avehi-Abacus, a curriculum enrichment project for municipal schools in Mumbai).<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fef8e4;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
The note on the back of the book says that this is a bedtime story that Deepa had made up for her own kid. I opened the book cover (that doesn't reveal much) thinking it will be a 'once upon a time' kind of story. While it is; it's also a story with a twist. The illustrations are very nice and the story itself is brilliant and when you read it you will know how useful it is for the time when your kid will ask you the inevitable question "where am I from?"<br />
<br />
I don't want to let out too much because I really want you to read this book!! <div><br />
<div>Available online from the Tulika site or Flipkart and also at the usual haunts, it is priced at Rs. 95/- and available in 8 Indian languages besides English.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fef8e4;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div></div>Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-68934765575694139632011-10-28T22:07:00.000-07:002011-10-28T22:07:42.132-07:00Madeline- By Ludwig Bemelmans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Hc75hrPfrGK8ZqNHprlowlpVdhyrICSUFhUcvnQlV9QZbsqJrhW28M3alB8YP8Fgc62FnMOYR3ex2_ioWEyiQ7zJ6DcwDj1FEWSQosEA_R5kfN6Yacl0fqjlVRvBZhiAM2oQIDNajhBn/s1600/madeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Hc75hrPfrGK8ZqNHprlowlpVdhyrICSUFhUcvnQlV9QZbsqJrhW28M3alB8YP8Fgc62FnMOYR3ex2_ioWEyiQ7zJ6DcwDj1FEWSQosEA_R5kfN6Yacl0fqjlVRvBZhiAM2oQIDNajhBn/s1600/madeline.jpg" /></a>I was fascinated with Madeline's animated episodes that I caught on some kids channel little knowing about the history or the books by Ludwig Bemelmans. It was only yesterday when I borrowed it from the local library that I realised its popularity and appeal.<br />
<br />
Ludwig Bemelmans wrote these classic lovely children's picture books with endearing story lines and I am really happy to read it in the print version.<br />
There's nothing more that I can add to what's summarized at the <a href="http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/youngreaders/minisites/madeline/history.html">penguin group site </a> or the information on its<a href="http://www.madeline.com/"> official website . </a><br />
<br />
All I can say its worth trying to get your hands on this!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-26160935413131481972011-09-16T04:31:00.000-07:002011-09-16T04:31:59.141-07:00The Toy Horse -Deepa Agarwal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAQFs77GMbdiG0CuMI3MsUC8gQD0nssvh-C5OllS6uxfbxdpZ_RUDxXGbNB9TFclclwodHdSLEQ1eCrsQZ_2k7iowKvCiPETZIeGydg1oQz-uo0TbExUUxBjBgJ_ovbpOBwgEt8Oh8V8W/s1600/toy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAQFs77GMbdiG0CuMI3MsUC8gQD0nssvh-C5OllS6uxfbxdpZ_RUDxXGbNB9TFclclwodHdSLEQ1eCrsQZ_2k7iowKvCiPETZIeGydg1oQz-uo0TbExUUxBjBgJ_ovbpOBwgEt8Oh8V8W/s200/toy2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>One of the most poignant books written for children, it won an award by the Children's Book Trust. It's an invaluable book to have because it teaches in such a tender way the difference between haves and have nots.<br />
<br />
Deep respect for the way its author, Deepa Agarwal, portrays a 'banjara' family , their profession and art, and the feelings of the little girl who knows she has limited means.<br />
I read it out often to my daughter who is only 4 years old but really very moved by the story. It also gives us an opportunity to provide her with a perspective on things she will see and experience all around her in India.<br />
<br />
The illustrations are brilliant- Ajanta Guhathakurta, you deserve an award in bringing alive the memories I have of banjaras making tools and selling utensils by the roadside, turbans, and ghaghras and some lovely silver jewellery.<br />
<br />
Priced at Rs. 20/- and available at stores that stock CBT /NBT publications, it is a must must buy.<br />
<br />
</div>Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6585355772891678355.post-75157247829418995782011-09-13T05:21:00.000-07:002011-09-13T05:29:05.304-07:00Little Witch Goes to School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4y2SNLhS9NAHyhnsyiCzjp-8J9OPNjK6PoaKs65HSZMcgN-NYzHZqB1xJUJFfVw3PigfWceM9vqgje77GeDmFfs7hex1lZTq2YyC3QD4tMVGv7bM-Eknz40RaV-p0HxozOYyiKYrzzI8/s1600/littlewitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4y2SNLhS9NAHyhnsyiCzjp-8J9OPNjK6PoaKs65HSZMcgN-NYzHZqB1xJUJFfVw3PigfWceM9vqgje77GeDmFfs7hex1lZTq2YyC3QD4tMVGv7bM-Eknz40RaV-p0HxozOYyiKYrzzI8/s1600/littlewitch.jpg" /></a></div>We have been having many HAHAHA moments ever since we laid our hands on this zany book. Sylvie Wickstrom has done a great job of illustrating it and Deborah Hautzig has done a fantastic job of creating a super funny story.<br />
<br />
A mom witch who wants her daughter to be bad; never say please; not make friends; and not learn anything!! And she gives her daughter a lunch box full of candies: "This will help your teeth rot".<br />
My kid laughed and laughed at all the topsy turvy instructions coming from the mum. Really, it is its quirky humour that makes this book irresistible.<br />
<br />
Published by Random House, its classified as "Step3: Reading on your own book". This could have been a long read but for its humour and great artwork.<br />
<br />
A must have in your collection would be my recommendation!<br />
<br />
P.S.: I chanced upon the author's <a href="http://www.deborahhautzig.com/writing.asp">website</a> and really liked what she wrote about her stories that I reproduce here: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-small;">Each and every one of them is about the search for a way to be true to oneself and still be accepted and loved by the people who matter to us the most. It seems to be the one story I never tire of telling. </span></span><br />
</div>Pallavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578031462209024714noreply@blogger.com2