2021
Grief and loss are never easy to talk about, more so with children. In fact, death and children feel like opposites. Children are full of life, laughter, energy and hope. Death is silent, dark, still and hopeless.Can you write a children’s book about death and not make it dark? In the hands of master storyteller Hans Sande, this is possible.
When I chose this book based on its title, Beauty Is Missing, I had imagined the book. And when I received it and held it in my hands and read the book, the story was far removed from my imagination!The story begins at a police station, where a woman has come to report her loving buffalo who has gone missing. The story then brings in humour, adventure, and also some filmy twists. Eventually, the thief is caught, and the story reaches its climax at the reunion of the old woman and her buffalo.
2022
A storyline where the main character has an episode of hiccups makes for an amusing read. Each character comes in to offer solutions to the protagonist, and eventually one of the solutions works out in the end. The theme of a recurring plot helps one stay engaged as the story goes along.
2021
It’s been a while since I have been exploring alternative forms of companionship and family. The main intention behind this exploration is to navigate the potential that these two words carry. And then Reva and Prisha’s family grabbed my attention.
Ghost stories have always had a fascination for children and adults alike. This story uses an Assamese folktale—of the Jokhini—and gives it some interesting twists. The Jokhini is a demon who lives in the forests of Assam. In traditional folklore, she is a demon who likes to lure grown men. Here, while she is the scariest of all the demons, she is lonely and friendless. Her ability to be scary gives her the only identity that she is proud of.
We all make mistakes. It’s impossible to not make any mistakes. Then why do we instill so much fear of making mistakes in children? Is it necessary to give them punishment for unwilling mistakes? Can’t we accept their mistakes gently? I think Roy’s Noisy Secret conveys this message subtly, but effectively.
It was a normal usual day; I was working on a project and here comes my brother—loud as ever—into my room—turns off the light and fan—and leaves. He is very annoying. I was reminded repeatedly of this incident as I read this book, which is about a girl whose world is turned upside down by her big brother.
The book comprises three short stories featuring tigers, two of them apparently true, and all where tigers and humans share a symbiotic relationship. All the stories are narrated by ‘Dadubhai’ to his grandson, Rohan. The ‘Tiger which Came to the Cricket Match’ is a true story, recorded in the archives of the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, one of the earliest clubs set up by the British.
All summer long, Mannu the monkey has been dreaming of jamun. How he loves the ‘Juicy-shoocy jamun! Pulpy-shulpy jamun!’ When will they ever ripen on his favourite tree? He can remember how they tingle on his tongue with their sweet-sour taste. And best of all, how they make his tongue turn so purple-black!
This children’s book is a pleasant surprise and a quick paced, easy read. It begins innocuously with Khalid running after their black-eyed kitten, Gupshup, who characteristically is fast on her feet, is soon lost within the walls of the Sanganer Open Prison. The rest of the story is about Khalid’s attempts to find his missing cat Gupshup
2021
This story is about a girl named Aadya, and how her life changed after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. When Aadya’s mother leaves her with her grandmother and the dog called Nimki to get her treatment, Aadya feels lonely and sad. She misses her mother all the time.
There is an interesting quote that John Keating, a character played by actor Robin Williams says in the movie, Dead Poet’s Society about literature, ‘We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race and the human race is filled with passion and medicine, law, engineering, these are noble pursuits to sustain life.
Colours are not only spread all around us, but they also bear an impact on our minds and influence the way we think. This book presents for its readers the rich diversity in terms of nature, culture and food habits around us.Although Lavanya has tried to weave it into the shape of a story where a small bird has to select a colour for itself, this is predominantly a thematic and informative book.
2022
The book is an absolute treasure with a most graceful rendering to help children discover their connect with the sand and sea and all life in between. It starts with a preface where the author, a naturalist, talks about how his interest in coastal biodiversity grew and how he learnt and drew inspiration from the wisdom of a skilled fisherfolk.
Tales passed down from one generation to the next have been the mainstay of all cultures, countries and families. The act of sharing these stories is such a crucial aspect of a child’s growth that almost all forms of media, be it movies or television shows, make it a point to highlight the tradition of bedtime stories shared between parents, grandparents and children.
The picture book by Shruti Rao and Sahitya Rani is wholly disappointing. The grandfather here, ‘Thatha’, is the young narrator’s best friend, and they go off on imaginary adventures every day.
This is a story about a kingdom called ‘Moochhapur’. Bankim, a traveller on his way comes across this unique name for a place and wishes to go and see the same. The story is narrated by Bankim. When he enters the kingdom, he sees men with all types of moustaches—big, small, curled, and more. People appear busy with their work with large moustaches.
2022
This is a story about Sachit, a boy studying in Class III who joins the Wunderkind Academy and has recently shifted to the city of Bangalore and his adjustment perils thereon.In Sachit’s mind, escaping this new school seems like the opportunity for adventure and a gateway to freedom.
Jamlo is walking even today. She is walking for a world that needs justice and equality. Samina Mishra, Tariq Aziz, and Sushil Joshi who has woven the story in Hindi, haven’t just put down some words and lines and images. They have created a chronicle.
Question: You are a film-maker by training and profession. What brings you to children’s books?Samina Mishra: I came to children’s books via a film that I was hoping to make but didn’t. That turned into Hina in the Old City (that Eklavya has now republished as Hina in Purani Dilli), my first book for children.