Tag: children’s book

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5 must read books on Indian festivals

As much as I love teaching my kids about culture and tradition, there is nothing like a good old book that can help in making them understand much better. We live in a world where kids well at least some of them would not have access to experience the essence of the festivity’s books can help them understand the reason behind the celebration came into place, how to celebrate, and what preparations need to be done.


Here are some books that I came across and I’m sure you would enjoy some of them too.


FESTIVALS OF INDIA from Sonia Mehta’s Discover India series


The book unravels the vibrant tapestry of India’s diverse festivities. The book takes readers on a journey through all the festivities. With vivid descriptions and captivating illustrations, the book brings alive each festival from Holi and Diwali.


The Author weaves fascinating stories and legends associated with each festival. Through this, the children learn customs, traditions, and the joy of coming together to celebrate the festivals.


The book is perfect for little minds to explore the country’s rich cultural heritage. The book strikes a perfect balance between information and entertainment.


FESTIVALS THROUGH THE YEAR by Rachna Chhabria


Through the eyes of twins, Natasha and Nikhil this book helps little minds explore the cultural heritage of the country and celebrate it.


Starting with Lohri in January to Christmas in December, Natasha and Nikhil explore festivals throughout the year.


The book is a treasure to cherish and revisit because of the detailed descriptions and wealth of information it contains about each of the festivals.


Young readers are introduced to rituals and joy associated with each festival along with explaining the significance.


Right from Holi to Diwali the child understands the traditions and customs.


Not only that Natasha and Nikhil record their experiences of the festivities on a blog.
Their observations add depth and authenticity to the storytelling.


AMMA, TELL ME ABOUT FESTIVAL series by Bhakti Mathur


This set is a lovely find for book readers. Fortunate to have had the chance to review these books, what caught my attention was the colorful illustrations, simple text, and engaging story narration.


Holi, Diwali, and Ramayana are the books in this series where the mother tells the children the story of how the festival came into existence.


Klaka and Kiki, the two siblings settle down for a story from Amma where she weaves a charming story on a delightful journey to celebrate Holi and Diwali.


SHE CELEBRATES


This book is an anthology of 21 stories by women across the world who are of Indian origin. Each of these stories has a backdrop of an Indian festival like Lohri, Sankranti, Teej, Onam, and Vishu to name a few. What I loved the most was the recipe at the end of each chapter associated with the festival. The illustrations were good too.


These are some of the books that had a festive background, caught my attention, and remain a favorite to me and my kids though these books were published long ago. But that’s what books are for right? To be remembered for time immemorial and to be revisited often.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘BookishCafeBloghop2024’ hosted by  Rakhi   and Samata Dey Bose .

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Monster max and the marmalade ghost – Book review

Blurb

Second book in the hilarious Monster Max series

Max is an ordinary boy, except that he can turn into a monster when he burps…

Max and Peregrine are volunteering at an old people’s home, when strange things start to happen. One resident is walking on the ceiling, one is riding their wheelchair through walls, and Reggie says his marmalade is haunted (no one listens). Can Max and his friends work out what’s happening to protect his family and the local community?

Things aren’t looking good: the Marmalade Ghost is turning into a sticky Godzilla, Max falls out with his (joint) best friend, and then just when it can’t get any worse, someone kidnaps Max’s cat, Frankenstein…

Time to ‘Protect and Do Good Stuff!

Review

Apparently this is the second book in the series is what I got to know. But im reading this first. And upon completing I’ve come to a conclusion that id have to pick up the book number one and will eagerly await the book number three.

So usually when you read a book series it is always a good practice you start from the beginning. This is just to make sure that we get to know the plot the characters or any previous happenings. But reading the second book first I don’t think I missed something majorly but maybe much more deeper understanding of the characters.

The book aimed at middle graders but id say is a fun read for me as a parent as well. Though my kids aren’t middle grade they did enjoy when I narrated it. The humour here and there made it an enjoyable read.

Max becoming a monster when burping and getting back to normal when sneezing, allergic to flowers and being flown away when sneezing all events make it enjoyable when kids visualize it.

But on the other hand I must appreciate the illustrations that equally supported the story. I completed the book at one go though it span to 190+ pages.

Max and Peregrine helping out to save the parents, Frankenstein and cat kidnapped and what they face , how they overcome, the inventions of peregrine their actions taken to ‘protect and do good’ their motto is entertaining and keeps you intrigued.

Volunteering an elder home, experiencing strange things finding out whether the marmalade is haunted or no even makes you curious as readers.

A fact to appreciate that is the humour is age appropriate. Robin Bennett and Tom tinn Disburg have done a great job.

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Review of I hate my curly hair

BLURB :

I tug till my head’s black and blue!
But nothing can tame
This wild, curly mane!

Curly haired girl does everything she can to straighten her stubborn curls-after all, everywhere she looks she sees heroines with smooth, silky hair. Then one day, a big bully comes along and everything changes! A humorous tale of self-acceptance. And of hair, lots and lots of glorious curly hair!

REVIEW :

Having read her first book dare eat that. This book is a complete contrast and is aimed at a different age group.

The author Divya aka ‘baal ki dukan’ had struggles with her unruly and very much curly hair. I’d definitely trade mine to have curly hair now.

This book is from the point of view of a four year old girl, who absolutely hates her curly twirly hair that coils and twists.

She feels it’s so unfair for someone to be blessed with curly thick hair that makes it unruly, frizzy and unmanageable.

Being called names like noodle, poodle this girl has tried everything she can to get those curls straight. From stretching it with books, glue, oil and what not the poor thing has tried to set right the unruly mane.

A sense of sadness surrounds her when she watches girls with long straight silky hair on TV and that’s something she doesn’t have.

Being bullied and laughed at for all her hair struggles, she tries hard not to cry.
But an incident changes her while thought and she starts feeling proud and happy to sport those lovely twirly whirly curls. Taking similarity to favourite heroes from books who are brave and adorn curly hair. She feels unique and is finally happy to have accepted herself as the curly haired girl and so does the bully friend.

The illustrations by @rujuta.td are brilliant and absolutely cute to look at.

A recent obsession of my daughter to grow long hair right after I narrated #rapunzel . She now wants curly hair post we finished reading this book.

A very fun and engaging read this book can reread as many times just to teach kids self acceptance and joy of reading.

BOOK DETAILS

Format available: Paperback and ebook

Price : paperback 244 ebook 156

Publisher : puffin books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Divya, often called ‘ baal ki dukaan‘, struggled with unruly, thick, curly hair for over two decades before she realized her hair looks best when it’s left uncombed! She loves using her curls to hold the numerous pens, pencils and paintbrushes she needs while she’s writing, doodling or working. She gets her best creative ides when she’s hanging upside down, doing anti-gravity yoga. If you’re in Bangalore, you might spot her (and her distinctive curls!) with her husband Vivek. Their quest to eat bizarre foods from around the world features in her first book, Dare Eat That. Follow her at: http://www.divyaanand.in

Do check what Arti has to say about restaurants open in Delhi And what Debidutta has to say.



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