These six books provide a glimpse into what is being written for children in Hindi today. Three of the writers—Sushil Shukla, Prabhat and Manoj Jha have already made their place in contemporary Hindi literature (for adults).
Naram Garam Dosti is a gentle children’s picture book. The story doesn’t follow a traditional pattern of introduction—problem—crescendo—resolution (or any other common pattern, for that matter). It is a slice-of-life story, highlighting the life and experiences of the main characters, and making several important points along the way—but never hitting you over the head with them.
Sarveshwar Dayal Saxena and his poems have long overwhelmed generations of children and adults alike. This fresh compilation of his most twisted yet savoury poems, with the title set to be pondered over Kitaabon Mein Billi Ne Bachhe Diye Hain, is a literary treat for all.
2022
The illustrative children’s book by Gulzar and Shaw opens a pandora’s box of curious questions and intriguing/thought-provoking responses. The book is a collection of Gulzar’s column ‘Agar-magar’ in Chakmak (the monthly children’s magazine published by Eklavya) and is enriched by illustrations by Allen Shaw. The dialogic writing style combines poetic overtones, opening up new avenues to fuel children’s curiosity to know more, to know better.
2022
In life, we stumble upon stories of many kinds — stories that terrify us, stories that entertain us, stories that make us cry, stories that make us love. The entire world is just an amalgamation of stories, in the form of books, art, people, music. Some stories, however, leave an indelible mark on us. They inflict an emotion so profound upon us that we may spend our entire lives attempting to describe their impact and only fail.
As parents and teachers we often wonder how to initiate children into environmental awareness and of the fragile world they have been born to inhabit. We often wonder if we can talk about climate change with small children, or if there’s a way of letting them in on the wise use of resources to lessen its impact.
2021
These five endearing books published by Muskaan, Bhopal break new ground in more ways than one. For one, all of them are written by tribal and Dalit girls and women. Secondly, three out of the five—Taalaab ke Kinare, School Mein Seekha aur Sikhaya, Jungle Kiska are written by young girls in their teens. Mitti is a story written by Madhu Dhurve as a young adult, about her childhood.
Jiske Paas Chali Gai Meri Zameen is a book with a vibrant cover and a heavy title. The book introduces us to a family of farmers (wife, husband, daughter and son) who are enjoying the rains. After the rains, the family can be seen involved in the farming work.
2022
This beautiful book presents a collection of 66 poems by the noted Hindi poet Prabhat. It doesn’t rain as much in the whole of Rajasthan as it does in the book Pedon ki Amma, neither do the winds blow as much as it blows in Pedon ki Amma. You never see as many clouds floating as you see in the book, and nor are there so many animals anywhere as are in Pedon ki Amma.
2022
Pheriwale is a poem by Sushil Shukla written for young ones and published by Eklavya, Bhopal. The book has very nice illustrations on each page by Nilesh Gehlot. When children see these pictures while reading each verse, they will be able to relate to and understand the poem better.
2022
Gulzar is an artist who has worked in many mediums, and is yet always searching for his own medium. Apart from being an experienced script and dialogue writer, he has been writing some fine literature for children. When you read the book under review, Boli Rangoli, you get to experience a Gulzar of a very different mood. One that stops to listen to children, and learn from them, as much or more than what he has to offer to them.
As you all may be aware, Chakmak is a children’s monthly magazine published by Eklavya regularly since 1985. It has a column named ‘Mera Panna’ (My pages) that carries stories, poems, articles and drawings by children. We can see the myriad abilities of children in this column, and children too can find themselves in these pages. This set of 8 cards is a selection from this vast treasure, and have been presented as one special card each.
2022
Here’s another collection of poems by Nirankardev Sevak —poems that you will find many a child singing along while doing chores or playing with odds and ends in the rural stretches of north India. The poems have been read and sung since ages—in school, at home and out in the playgrounds with rhythm and joy. In today’s fast-moving times of modernity where even children are often closeted within four walls, poems like these bring back the fragrance of the soil.
Chal Mere Matke Tammak Tu is a folktale that Virendra Dubey has reconstructed for young readers. At some stage in our childhood, I am sure many of us might have heard the story, maybe different versions of it, from parents or grandparents. It is an interesting tale of how an old lady outwits the wild animals who want to eat her while she is crossing the forest to go and visit her daughter who lives in a far-off town.
2022
The book Duniya Meri is an emotional journey of the love that a father and daughter cherish. A timeless tale that has been described with both words and illustrations, it aims to address how, for a father, the daughter is his world. It portrays how little things, little moments shared between them are everything that matters for their happiness.
2022
Akeli Cheenti is a picture book exploring the journey of an ant, a bit different from what we have observed all ants doing.This ant is a rebellious one and wants to explore the world and so begins her lone journey where she experiences life threatening and dangerous ordeals. The sweet taste of freedom and new experiences start with the giving up of the temptation of her favourite food!
2021
This is a short story by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan about the friendship between Afghan traders and the local buyers. This reminds us of ‘Kabuliwala’, a story by Rabindranath Tagore. In an era gone by individual traders from Afghanistan would come to India to sell their goods from house to house. In this case, it is heeng. These traders or hawkers miss their home and children, whom they had left behind.
2022
In Misfit Madhu, Anand has narrated the tale of a grade 7 student, Madhu, who has a penchant for coding. She develops an app that helps school students swap their belongings. The story goes on to talk about the mini adventures of Madhu in the ensuing months. In narrating this tale, the storyline covers many dimensions of the psychosocial world of contemporary pre-teens.
2022
Ammu’s Bottle Boat follows a plastic bottle boat on its way from Ammu’s hands to the sea, and the guts of various animals. Written in rhyme by Niveditha Subramaiam, the story narrates the grim reality of how plastic is ubiquitous and harmful to the world.
What makes a modern woman? To Sangita Jogi, a modern woman pursues her own desires, is fashionable, and won’t get married unless she has a sense of self-fulfillment. In her book, The Women I Could Be, Jogi explores her idea of a modern woman in the art style passed down from her parents.