children’s fiction – That Madras Mom

February 9, 2022

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.

October 18, 2019October 18, 2019

Review of Izzy’s magical football adventure

BOOK DETAILS
Target Age: Children 7+

Genre: Sports / Female Sports

Tour Dates: 12th – 16th October 2019

Publication Date: 16th September 2019

Formats available: Mobi, Epub or Paperbacks

Standalone story

BLURB

Izzy is a seven-year-old girl who lives in Ireland and loves all sport, especially Gaelic Football.

She has three brothers, David, Patrick and Robert.

Izzy plays football with her brothers on a regular basis in their back garden and dreams of playing for her county in the All Ireland Ladies Football Final in Croke Park when she is older.

One day, Izzy puts on her great grandmother’s bracelet, which is made of old All Ireland medals that her great grandmother won a long time ago, and something unexpected and magical happens, which may make Izzy’s Croke Park dream a reality sooner than she expected…………….

This book is aimed at readers from age seven onwards starting to read independently. It is based around the themes of promoting strong girls, encouraging girls to play sport and girl’s ability to play sport at a high level, while also having a fun magical theme. It is 32 pages long, about 1,700 words and has lots of lovely illustrations.

REVIEW :

A very short read picture book that sure is to be useful and be giving goals for all ages though it mentions the age as 7+.

Izzy a little girl who loves the ball and has dreams of being a good player. A book that helps you by giving the push to follow your dreams and live up your goal.

She puts on her great grandmother’s bracelet which has medals from all over Ireland that she had won. What Izzy didn’t know was that she would be transported to a magical world of future of what would her life be like if she followed her goals.

We all have dreams and aspirations but do we all live up to it or take efforts. This bok telling you the story of Izzy will definitely make you think on that point. A great book for little readers and for everyone with a dream.

About Emma Larkin

My name is Emma Larkin, and I am the founder of “Emma Larkin Books” and “Rebel in Kerry Press”. I have recently written and published my first book “Izzy’s Magical Football Adventure”, and I hope to write many more books about Izzy and her adventures in sport. As may be evident from the name of my publishing imprint, I am a “Rebel in Kerry”! This means that I am originally from County Cork in Ireland, which is known as the Rebel County, but I moved to Kerry (another county in Ireland which neighbours Cork) in 2006 and have been happily living in Kerry since then, with my husband and four children. My husband is a Kerry native and we live in North Kerry, near Listowel, where my husband is from, and is an area which is rich is literary history!

September 14, 2019

Whizzy willow’s first day of school – Book blitz

September 9, 2019September 9, 2019

Review of Ginormous Joe series – book 3-4 #myfriendalexa

About The Ginormous Series

Through The Ginormous Series children learn how to communicate their problems and work through their feelings. Loving, engaging adventures that follow pets discussing their ‘life handling’ problems and how they solve them together.

In ‘Ginormous Jo’s Silly Bullies’, ‘Ginormous Jo’s Welcoming Arms’, ‘Ginormous Jo’s You Are Special’, ‘Ginormous Joe’s Broken Bark’ and ‘Ginormous Joe’s Annoying Friend’ the animals chat about lots of ‘stuff’. Bullying, recycling, welcoming new members to a family or classroom, feeling alone, listening, learning and caring for others. A great addition to any child’s home or teacher’s read-aloud library. Encouraging thought-provoking conversation between adult and child.

Series Purchase Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RN8JY24/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RS4XLVN/

Ginormous Jo’s Silly Bullies

Written & Illustrated
by S C Cunningham

Looking for a way to help children face bullies?

Have them follow along on the adventures of Ginormous Jo and her dog friends as they learn to face bullies in her dog neighborhood. When Ginormous Jo visits one of her friends Muttley, she notices Muttley is very down. She doesn’t seem to want to do their normal play activities. Jo is worried, and finally gets Muttley to bravely tell her why she won’t go outside. The dogs down the street are bullying Muttley.

Will Muttley stand up to them? Or will it take some help from her friend Jo first?

This is a great read-aloud for the whole family or for a class working on beginning of the school year skills. Children will learn the techniques on how to stand up to a bully. This is the fourth book in the Ginormous Jo collection.

REVIEW :

Bullying is something that children shouldn’t be subjected to at an early age.

And even if they are being bullied they must be thought how to handle it bravely.

Children shouldn’t feel suppressed when bullied and stop facing situations. They must be taught to handle it smooth and in a courageous way.

Here Joe teaches Muttley how to handle bullies and how to be brave. Read along to know how.

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RMKMKDR/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RMKMKDR/

Ginormous Jo’s You Are Special

Written & Illustrated
by S C Cunningham

Ever wish you could ask someone the big life questions?

Tom and Vincent have a full list for their friend, Ginormous Jo. Being in a unique family of three dogs and a kitten, they are all the best of friends. Tom, a little white dog and Vincent, a small kitten, play quietly in the backyard until they start asking questions about life. Are they special? Why do they feel they don’t fit in?

They come up with a list to ask Ginormous Jo, the friendly senior dog in the house. She takes the two to heart and listens to their questions. The answers might be astonishing to the pair, but they are an excellent example of how you can learn from those wiser than yourself. But the important thing, of course, is they asked for help from an elder. She teaches them how they are already special. And that through recycling, they can help save the whole world!

This darling little picture book continues the Ginormous Jo serious stressing the importance of asking questions and being honest with your elders. It helps model how children should feel free to express their feelings to loved ones older than them, and follow the advice. It stresses how anyone can be special by their personal effort to better the world. This is a great book for any children’s library especially as a gift from a grandparent or older sibling.

REVIEW

This book brings out the message about how to feel special about oneself. Self love is important to make others realise how special you are. It is also important to know how special you are and how honest you could be with one another by asking questions.

Here in this book Vinnie and Tom have questions lined up for JOe and seek her answers. Her answers not only satisfy yom and Vinnie, but also open up a different perspective of thinking for us.

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07S19R2P9
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S19R2P9
About S C Cunningham

Owned by 3 dogs and a cat, Cunningham normally writes suspense thrillers. As respite from her crime novels, she creates children’s picture books, each with a theme to gently teach our precious young, and help open up conversation. The Ginormous Series is based on Cunningham’s beloved family pets – Joe, Muttley, Dali (Jo), Tom and Vinnie.

She is an ex-model, British born of Irish roots that married a rock musician and has worked in the exciting worlds of music, film, sports celebrity management and as a Crime Investigator and Intelligence Analyst for the Police. She supports causes for: Veterans, MH, Child and Animal Protection.

Social Media Links –
WEB
https://www.sccunningham.com/the-ginormous-series-by-s-c-cunningham.php

TWITTER
@sccunningham8
@ginormousjoe

FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pg/GinormousSeries/posts/

Giveaway to win a choice of 1 paperback from the first 6 books of the Ginormous Jo Series (Open Internationally)
Winner can pick from
Ginormous Joe’s Broken Bark
Ginormous Joe’s Annoying Friend
Ginormous Jo’s Secret
Ginormous Jo’s Silly Bullies
Ginormous Joe’s Welcoming Arms
Ginormous Jo’s You Are Special

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

September 9, 2019September 9, 2019

Review of Ginormous Joe series – book 5& 6

About The Ginormous Series

Series Purchase Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RN8JY24/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RS4XLVN/

Ginormous Joe secret

Ginormous Jo’s Secret
Written & Illustrated
by S C Cunningham

In “Ginormous Jo’s Secret,” S C Cunningham explains the very link between listening and learning. Though the huge, white, huggable dog called Jo wasn’t sure at first when her mum brought home a cuddly little kitten called Vinnie, she grew to love him with time. Vinnie was loving, playful and made her laugh a lot. Because Jo didn’t want Vinnie behaving like their noisy, shouty, and greedy neighbours, she introduces him to “Liswat,” telling him the great importance of listening and learning from others and the very secret behind her being a clever dog. Does Vinnie now know the meaning of “Liswat?”

REVIEW :

In this book Joe gives out her secret. How it helps her and how beneficial it is.

Vinnie, learns this secret when Joe explains with examples. Not only this is beneficial for them, but also a great lesson for the kids and us parents who read this out to them.

I loved the narration which explained the secret in detail.

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07R4BLDVC
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R4BLDVC

Ginormous Joe’s Welcoming Arms

Written & Illustrated
by S C Cunningham

Have siblings or school friends been having trouble getting along? Or is there a new member or pet in the family? Join loveable dogs, Ginormous Jo and little Tom, as a new member of the family is adopted, a ginger kitten.

Vinnie is a very mischievous and curious kitten. He gets into everything. Tom, is annoyed and unhappy with the new addition. Vinnie follows him around, making all sorts of big messes. What are they going to do with this new kitten? Faced with having to take charge of Vinnie, the dogs start to help and manage his adventures. Watching out for him, they learn to accept that family means to look after each other and being older comes with responsibility.

This is a great picture book for helping children understand additions to the classroom or family, whether they are pets or a new baby. Children will learn how to be responsible for the new member and that looking out for someone else is not only kind, but a new sort of responsibility, that can be fun. This will make a great addition to any parenting library or in the classroom.

REVIEW :

The book is a great way to teach little kids about inclusion of a new family member and their acceptance.

The book would teach them how to be a responsible person to take care and keep safe the new member.

In this book Jo, helps Tom understand that he has to be responsible and give a shoulder to Vinnie. Tom now becomes a great companion for Vinnie.

The chapter brings out a message eventhough people are different they could still care for each other.

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RQVHN4Q/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RQVHN4Q/

About S C Cunningham

Social Media Links –
WEB
https://www.sccunningham.com/the-ginormous-series-by-s-c-cunningham.php

TWITTER
@sccunningham8
@ginormousjoe

FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pg/GinormousSeries/posts/

I am taking my blog to the next level with blogchatter’s #myfriendalexa.

September 8, 2019September 9, 2019

Review of Ginormous Joe – book 1 & 2 #myfriendalexa

About The Ginormous Series

Series Purchase Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RN8JY24/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RS4XLVN/

Ginormous Joe’s Broken Bark

by S C Cunningham
Illustrations by Scarlett Raven & S C Cunningham

Can a dog be saved by the love of a family?

Can he find his bark to save them from the local thief?

Meet Joe. He’s got the worst owner that dumps him by the road where he is found by the Tuttle family. They take him in, even though he has no bark at all. But he is a very large dog which should help protect the family from the recent break-ins around the neighborhood. But Joe loves to sleep. He stretches out and snores loud, barking while he dreams of chasing rabbits. He just can’t bark while he is awake
.
Will he save the family when a burglar enters the house? Will Joe find his bark to warn them in time?
This delightful story is the first of a series of stories featuring Ginormous Joe. It shows how he becomes part of the Tuttle family. It’s a great read-aloud for families that have recently got a dog and teaches a lesson on how everyone has a purpose.

REVIEW

It’s always great to have a dog as a pet. The amount of love they show on you, the care they take , the little tail wagging as a sign of gratitude all that makes your heart chirpy.

One such story here in this book is that Joe here is a cute , white fluffy dog. Initially with nasty Nik, who doesn’t care a bit for the dog eventhough how much love the dog shows on him. One fine day Nasty Nik drops him off on the highway. Joe unable to react due to the shock. He loses his bark. Nasty Nik mocks at this and leaves.

Joe is devastated and goes on without food water and struggles which is when the Tuttle family finds him and decide to keep him

Joe is best friends with Mary, the little girl but they do not feel bad that he cannot bark. Mrs Tuttle is happy that Joe will be a good watch dog eventhough he doesn’t bark. Will he save the day ? What happens ?

A lovely tale for the little ones. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and I’m sure the little kids will also do.

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005U5EAL0/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005U5EAL0/

Ginormous Joe’s Annoying Friend

Written & Illustrated
by S C Cunningham

Do you have a child that has trouble talking to people? Or expressing their feelings?

Here is a story about dogs with the problem of communicating their feelings, and how they solve it together. The Tuttles enjoy walking their dog, Ginormous Joe. But one day, they bring home a new friend, another dog named Mo. Joe and Mo don’t seem to hit it off. She is always ignoring him and not wanting to play. One day, Joe realizes that all he needed to do was reach out and talk. This gave Mo a chance to tell him why she never would play with him. She was shy. The awkwardness between them evaporates, and they become friends, all from finally being brave enough to tell each other their feelings.

This is a great book to show children how to communicate to solve their problems and work through their feelings. It will make a great addition to any child’s home collection or teacher’s read-aloud library.

MY REVIEW :

A good book that shows importance of communication, eventhough if it’s between dogs. Communication plays key role in conveying emotions at the right time.

Joe is the sole owner of all the love at Tuttle’s home. But when aunt decides to go away on a trip, Mo makes her entry which makes Joe sad that he has competition.

Mo tries to impress him in every possible way, but to Joe it appears as interference. So he wishes that she goes away sooner.

But he soon changes his mind and wishes for her to comeback sooner. What incident made him think that way ? Read on…

I loved the illustrations and brief narration which was easy to comprehend.

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RCZH6TJ
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RCZH6TJ

About S C Cunningham

Owning 3dogs and a cat, Cunningham normally writes suspense thrillers. As respite from her crime novels, she creates children’s picture books, each with a theme to gently teach our precious young, and help open up conversation. The Ginormous Series is based on Cunningham’s beloved family pets – Joe, Muttley, Dali (Jo), Tom and Vinnie.

Social Media Links –
WEB
https://www.sccunningham.com/the-ginormous-series-by-s-c-cunningham.php

TWITTER
@sccunningham8
@ginormousjoe

FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pg/GinormousSeries/posts/

I am taking my blog to the next level with blogchatter’s #myfriendalexa.

June 6, 2019

Review of the jumble sale

BLURB:

Zadi is part zombie, part fairy with a little bit of robot, which makes her a misfit monster. She lives with other misfit monsters, with their quirky parts in their makeshift town. They survive by hunting at the nearby hunting grounds taking items discarded by humans and making them into something useful. Hunting is risky because they could be captured by humans. Zadi is an excellent hunter and maker, but now she’s finding it difficult.Something unusual has happened. There have been no new deliveries to the hunting grounds. This means there are no new items which can be used to recycle into something useful, and they are beginning to worry and fight with each other. Can Zadi come up with a plan which will help the misfit monsters and bring them together as a community? Enter the world of the misfit monsters, their quirky lives, and be part of their fun and adventures.

MY REVIEW :

What do we understand by the term misfit monsters? This is the first time I’m hearing of it.

Let’s take a look at the plot. A simple intriguing plot that involves a little girl, Zadi. She is a zombie , a fairy and a robot. Yes you heard me right, she’s a little of all the three . That’s the reason she is termed a misfit monster.

She with the other monsters live in a makeshift town. So how do they survive? They pull up stuff discarded by humans in hunting grounds and use them to make it into a valuable object. But this does have its own risks. They could be captured by humans. So requires a lot of cautious behaviour which Zadi exhibits and she is clever too.

But off late there is nothing discarded which chains to nothing could be hunted and made into useful object. This leads to a lot of chaos. So Zadi is worried. What does she think of to counter this problem and bring the clan together. Can she overcome the situation in a clever way and keep the misfit monsters together.

A lovely read for the middle grade section and I’m sure the kids would love to know what Zadi had in mind to tackle the situation. Zadi is cute and has a chirpy nature.

The narration is simple and easy for children to read and understand. I appreciate the simplicity of the words used.

BOOK DETAILS

Publication date: 4 Jun 2019
Language: English
ASIN: B07PVRV5XT

MY RATINGS

Title :4/5

Cover : 4/5

Plot :4/5

Writing and presentation :4/5

Overall :4/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lily Rose enjoys world building and creating characters for these unusual worlds. She enjoyedcreating the misfit monsters world, and is looking forward to writing more of their adventures.

June 4, 2019

Review of Latoya’s downtown day

BLURB:

Latoya can’t wait to go downtown with her mother! She has been saving her money in her piggy bank so they can afford to go downtown. What adventures will they have when they go downtown? Find out in Latoya’s Downtown Day!

MY REVIEW:

How often do we sit down with our kids and talk to them about our early childhood days? Do we have the time? Now with technological development, kids are always with gadgets that they lose interest in our talks.

Latoya’s downtown day is warm read that portrays the relationship between a mom and her daughter, Latoya. Do children use piggy bank these days? Let’s see what Latoya does.

The book begins with her coming home with her mom after a shopping trip. They live in a multistoried apartment where they would have to climb more than flight of stairs to their home. Once they reach they lie down on the sofa and take to the floor when they hear gunshots. His describes life in Chicago’s public housing.

Latoya usually keeps the remaining amount from her shopping amount in her piggy bank. The piggy bank was the one that belonged to her mom. Her mom sat down to tell Latoya the story of how she and Latoya’s grandma would go to downtown.

Latoya’s mom would also save the pennies from shopping trip in piggy bank and when it was full, they could afford a trip downtown. A typical day at downtown would include a visit to stores trying cologne until they feel dizzy. They would have lunch at Billy burgers and then return home on the way where mommy would fall asleep in arms of grandma, that was a typical downtown day for her.

So when Latoya’s piggy bank was full she informed her mom and was eagerly awaiting her downtown day, the next day. Mom took her to Sears tower, which was much taller than their apartment. She describes about how she could see the whole town. They have a meal at Billy burgers. And then post meal, her mother takes her to her special place. She is taken to a library where she sees a sea of books. She gets her a library card where she can use it to borrow books. They come home and Latoya falls asleep, dreaming about books, taking her away from the frightening gun shots.

A wonderful book that gives you an insight of family traditions, a typical day of life in Chicago public housing, the bond between mom and daughter. Completing the book gives you a warm feeling. SO can we sit down and talk to our kids about the traditions we followed and continue following them.

MY RATINGS:

Title: 4/5

Cover :4/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing and presentation: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Patricia Moore fell in love with picture books when she taught preschool. The children’s favorite author was Dr. Seuss. His books held their attention. When she became a parent, she would create stories for her children. That started her writing picture books for children. Patricia has four picture books available on Amazon, and one coloring book. Her best known picture book is The Angel With One Wing.

May 26, 2019

Review of Zetta, the poinsettia

BLURB:

Follow the tale of Zetta, once a lonely poinsettia who discovers her worth outside the holiday season

Uplifting story in verse
Powerful lessons on sympathy, self-worth, and hope
BONUS ONE: Page to color at the back of the book
BONUS TWO: Fun facts about the poinsettia plant

MY REVIEW:

This lovely book is about Zetta, the poinsettia plant. Zetta feels lonely in the shop and longs to be held and be in company. She then is taken to a warm home where children on holiday are ready for celebrations.

As each day passed, with so much of celebration around, Zetta enjoyed being joyful during the holiday season. There were crackling sounds of gift wrappers, sipping sound of hot chocolate and slipper sounds.

But suddenly one day everything vanished and things were being put away. Zetta was puzzled but she was strong, alive and full of love. She was worried that she would be out away just like the tree. But she believed that there was a reason to be.

She was then placed near the kitchen window along with other plants where she would grow of the minimal sunlight along with other plants. She was not lonely any more.

When she grew up, she was placed in a nigger pot and brought outdoor. She would get more sunlight. She edged the front door growing bigger. But she always kept in mind whether or not it was holiday season she would always reach toward light. For she believes that there is always a reason to be.

This book brings you so much of positivity and self-esteem through the story of Zetta. The once lonely flower who longed for company also believed that there is a reason to be.

The illustrations are adorable and bring in so much energy and magic when you look at them. This book is a sure winner among the kids and among parents to help them teach the values to kids. The idea of making the plant a protagonist and having told the story from her point of view is a brilliant thought.

The book sure is to put a smile on every face and would be a great gifting option. I love the fact that the book comes with facts about the plant, so would be of great help for people (like me) who do not know that such a plant exists. Also it comes with a page to color at the back of the book so you get a wonderful story and also an activity as a reward for your kid. The cover gives you so much joy and I’m sure the book would definitely stock out soon in the shops, given that nobody would cross without picking it up. Next time you think of gifting your child, this book is a great option and sure is a memorable one.

BOOK DETAILS:

ISBN-13: 9780998536262
ISBN-10: 0998536261
Publisher: Sweetbeet Books
Publish Date: November 2018
Page Count: 34
Reading Level: Ages 4-8

MY RATINGS:

Title: 4/5

Plot: 4.5/5

Cover: 4/5

Writing and presentation: 4.5/5

Overall: 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alma is the award-winning author of picture books for children published by Sweetbeet Books. In Alma Hammond’s ‘Travel with Me’ series, children will meet creatures she encountered while traveling. The stories celebrate friendship, diversity, respect for nature, and acceptance of others and self. Each book includes fun facts about the animals, culture, and geography of a particular location. All of Alma’s children’s books are written to entertain both the adult and child, and are inspired by fascinating discoveries about life. When adults express excitement about a book while reading it to a child, its magic!

November 30, 2018

Review of The shining tiger

BLURB:

Raja and Baja set off on a dangerous journey to find the famous shining tiger. Days go by, and there’s no sign of it – in fact, nobody in the villages they visit is even sure it exists! But deep in the hearts of two daring boys is the conviction that the shining tiger is somewhere in the mountains – and it’s up to them to find it!

MY REVIEW:

The book starts with an afternoon story telling session between a grandmother and grandson Meer. The boy looks engrossed when grandma starts narrating the story of “the Shining Tiger”.

The shining tiger as the grandma says is a tale that is being passed on by villages generations after generations. But there is no record as such that any person has seen it.

The story goes about two young orphan boys Raja and Baja. They stay in a tree house in the village and play with the kids. They swim in rivers, climb trees and have an interesting livelihood. Meer looks amazed when his grandma narrates the plot. She dozes off in between too.

The boys realize that the children in the village play games in an unfair manner and get them accused for crimes which they didn’t do. So they decide to move on to the neighboring village. They pack their mats, food, water and set out on the quest to find new friends and a home.

They come across a small pond, decide to take a dip and cook food when the elder kids chase them away. They move further and reach a village with empty houses. They enjoy the freedom, cook and eat. At dark, they overhear two men talking about the shining tiger, which is when they decide to go on a quest to find it.

Did they find the shining tiger, meet it, what do the villagers say when the boys narrate their tale of meeting the shining tiger is the rest of the story? When the story of Raja and Baja ends, Meer wants to learn to climb trees; so he seeks his dad help. When they have a casual talk about making friends the dad comes to know that Meer complains of not having a friend near at home.

When he teaches Meer how to climb they see another boy seated on the trunk and they get introduced. Meer asks the boy if he knows the story of ‘The shining Tiger’ and when the boy nods that he doesn’t know, Meer starts narrating the story and it goes on.

The writing style is simple and the illustrations are very thoughtful and so real. Nothing looks very clichéd and would definitely be liked by kids. A wonderful read in deed.

The font in the book is bold and readable. Overall it’s a good read for kids between 6-12.

BOOK DETAILS: