Jha had built up an enviable reputation as an administrator. Sarojini Naidu once called him ‘the Grand Moghul of the University’. There was enough justification for such a remark, for no external authority could interfere in the administration of the University and he was the monarch of all he surveyed.
The fourth and final section of the book attempts to set up a dialogue between the two characters in the children’s book story, school books and trade books, by seeing if the latter can comfortably and self-assuredly accompany the former to teach and educate the children who are after all the target audience for both.
The book also talks about holistic development with equal emphasis on physical, mental and spiritual health. The author provides tips to improve in each of these areas. Besides personal growth, the book also covers areas of financial planning and investment
Recent advances in the field of agriculture and medicine have pointed towards the vested interests of capitalists in promoting developments and innovations that benefit a few, and continue to perpetuate an exclusionary society. The impact of genetically modified seeds will only be fully evident over the next generations.
The book is sweet and funny, with delightful illustrations by Simon Yeo that vividly bring the story to life. The visual storytelling complements Neil Flory’s narrative
Illustrated with warmth and charm by the author, the book captures the essence of Lakshmi’s quest and the joy of discovering a true friend in the most unexpected place. Sharanya Kunnath’s engaging storytelling, combined with vibrant illustrations, creates a touching tale that celebrates friendship and the beauty of finding connections where least expected.
Chambers: My First Picture Dictionary is an invaluable addition to any child’s picture book collection. Its comprehensive coverage of everyday objects, aspects of life, and relationships ensures that children are exposed to a wide array of vocabulary relevant to their world. The delightful illustrations and engaging characters make learning an enjoyable experience.
However, while the book is a fun and engaging exploration of mythical creatures, some children might find the concept a bit confusing, especially if they are more accustomed to real-world animal facts. Parents and educators might need to provide a bit of guidance to help kids understand and appreciate the imaginative nature of the book.
The book ends on a lovely note by bringing out the biggest and the best fact that all children are clever and have their unique way of seeing the world.
The language and narration lend the story a feeling of it being a grandmother’s tale. At the same time, the childlike demeanour and quirks of the grandmother have the potential to capture a young reader’s curiosity and initiate conversations around one’s own grandparents.
Pop of colours and change of fonts to highlight the text along with large illustrations make the book inviting. Large illustrations which occupy most of the page can help the reader enjoy the story through pictures as well. The book has interesting illustrations which make the strange and fantastic become more real. Like a train and a helicopter landing in a garden
The illustrations have a good depiction of Hyderabad’s market. They have many colours, including yellow, blue, green, and pink on the cover, and various shades on the background. The shops in the market also have a lot of colours, from signboards to the goods in the shops. Tishya Malya has done an amazing job of capturing all the expressions in her illustrations
The illustrations show pure love, care, respect, and support towards the ambitions of others. It breaks the stereotype of males not helping in the household, or males who are less sensitive than females. This also challenges the word ‘male ego’.
Despite the catchy illustrations with great use of white space on the inner pages, the cover with flat dull blue in the background takes away the charm of Parvathy’s illustration style and makes the book less attractive for the children to pick. Overall, reading this book will require support for a Level 2 reader.
The illustrations show pure love, care, respect, and support towards the ambitions of others. It breaks the stereotype of males not helping in the household, or males who are less sensitive than females. This also challenges the word ‘male ego’. In some societies, it is notional for women after a certain age to not pursue higher education
Niveditha’s limited palette illustrations selectively highlight the elements that need readers’ attention. This complements the narrative, makes it easier to follow and make sense of. Illustrations are revered as a key component in early literacy.
My Little Book of Diwali the board book opens up with colourful and joyous preparations that include diyas, new clothes, flower decorations—each creating a happy moment for the kindergarten readers.
In all these stories, the tiger plays an important role— a cub aspiring to be a man-eater in Ranjit Lal’s ‘I want to be a Man-eater’, to a ferocious tiger stuck in a typhoon in a cattle eater’s paradise in ‘Tiger in a Typhoon’ by Hugh Allen; Prathibha Nandakumar’s mighty Tigress brings out her claw when asked a question and goes on to scratch her head! Protective Padmini who charges at the wildlife photographer in Valmik Thapar’s story is sure to give shivers down your spine
The board of each page is skilfully designed to present smooth little pieces moving in and out of slits. Some pieces are elegantly pulled up from the slits; some pieces are effortlessly slid round and round and round in their slits
Names and illustrations of various animals have been used just to increase the fun element. If one reads the poem with the expectation of teaching children about animals or that it will contain some researched scientific facts or information
The variety of activities presented in the book demonstrates the different frameworks and approaches a teacher can use to ensure engagement and participation, while also providing opportunities for students to reflect and solve multiple problems at their own learning levels.
There is so much to see everywhere! The spreads are detailed with uniquely portrayed characters. Some were playing a sitar, some painting eggs, or sipping tea. Simple forms with bold lines and textures give a rugged warmth, inviting one to linger on the pages.
All these stories look at life closely and reflect that with honesty. The writers are children who are mature storytellers of the experiences of their lives.
The illustration where the baby elephant sleeps on its mother’s stomach with its trunk folded gives you a complete experience of the mother’s hugeness and the baby’s total carefreeness. This illustration of affection and trust is the soul of the book. Such vivid and impactful illustrations are rarely seen.
In this story, the weekly bazaar is five kilometres from the village, and the way is through a dense jungle. The route is difficult and even includes a river that can flood and the threat of wild animals, yet the child goes. It’s even possible that going to the market or returning home from the market might cost one’s life. The sellers and shopkeepers arrange their wares on the ground in the weekly market and try to wind up their sales before the evening sets in.
The illustrations are somewhat uneven but many capture well the close relationship between the little girl and the Kabuliwallah.
Eamonn O’Boyle’s illustrations add a wonderful layer to the story, bringing the vibrant and whimsical world of Minky and Rama to life. The visuals perfectly capture the fun and wonder of their journey, making the book even more engaging and enjoyable.
Overall, Baloo’s Big Win is a powerful tale of perseverance, passion, and social change. It not only emphasizes the importance of following one’s dreams but also addresses a critical social issue that remains relevant today. This book is bound to inspire young readers to chase their aspirations
The Hero Cake as a prize, initially presented as a mysterious reward, ends up being somewhat unconvincing. While this twist adds surprise, it may not fully satisfy readers who were expecting a more symbolic conclusion, especially in light of the uplifting identity revelation that precedes the end.
The storytelling and illustrations are simple and straightforward. The language even feels rudimentary at places, lacking polish.
The positive aspect of this story is that the individuals who raise the rooster accept its gender and behaviour. Children’s reaction to it provides many opportunities to discuss this story with them. Accepting someone as they are is a challenge, but it’s not impossible.
The illustrations by Fahad Faizal add another layer to the narrative, vividly bringing the story to life. The gray colour palette reflects the oppressive atmosphere of fear and dullness in the school, which is sharply contrasted by the bright colours that appear when Laila enters the scene.
This is an important book for children to read, to perhaps start to understand that not all of us are the same, and that sometimes some of us cannot confidently express ourselves.
In both stories, the illustrations do not add anything much. In two instances, they even contradict the description–in the first story, the boy is described as having the sheer standing but is shown sitting on the mat; candles are shown instead of the clay diyas as described in the text.
Ruskin Bond’s writing, as usual, has clarity of expression and does not waste a single word. It flows steadily like a clear mountain stream, without splashing water on the sides. This quality has been consistent throughout his writings which helps make an instant connect with the reader.
The text simply flows on the colourful pages assuming the enchanting green of the forests. It seems like moving from one space to another inside the forest, as we turn the pages. The illustrations bear the tones of colourful Nature which would grip the reader prompting him to go through each picture studiously.
I can’t wait to delve into the stories. How many of us like bitter gourd? Very few! But we would like to know why the gourd happens to be bitter. Out pops a story from grandpa’s bag to tell us why. This unusual story tells us through the interaction of Shankar the farmer and a mermaid what happens if we do not cultivate politeness, humility and respect for others.
As the title suggests, this does happen but the reader has to undertake an interesting journey with Nandu and Salu filled with information, excitement, disappointment and envy. The writer introduces readers to the experiences of spending time in a forest.
Lights Out is not just a simple story; it’s a testament to the power of community and the impact of small, compassionate actions. Recognized for its poignant narrative and beautiful illustrations, this picture book earned a well-deserved spot on the Parag Honour List 2024. It serves as a gentle reminder that sometimes, the smallest creatures can bring out the best in us, urging us to maintain the delicate balance between human progress and nature’s needs.
Some details in the story could have been avoided as they did not lead anywhere till the very end, thus possibly making it more gripping, to-the-point and an easier and smoother read.
There is a touch of humour and fun flowing through the text at every turn. The long story has been split into chapters. Interestingly, for better grasp of the language difficult words and phrases have been highlighted sustaining the flow of the text and enabling enhanced understanding by the emerging readers.
‘Man is a Puzzle-Solving Animal.’ -Ronaldo A. Knox Solving puzzles is a natural instinct of humans. The thrill of it is the real joy. Joy makes learning easy. There are various ways to make learning enjoyable, but when it comes to learning words and numbers with excitement, creating your own path and reaching the right…
Prabhat’s newest collection of poems–Totiya Teetar–is very different from all his previous poetry collections. This is a unique collection of very small poems, each poem of only four lines. The first poem itself, titled ‘Panchhi’, gives us a peek into the detailed and wide nature of Prabhat’s observational lens.
Registan Mein Bus is a colourful bouquet of 28 short poems. This bouquet encloses the sand dunes and dhanis of Rajasthan, the herds of sheep and the golden-yellow flowers of Babool. One does not feel scalded by the scorching heat nor feel the discomfort of walking on the burning sand, nor is upset by the…
This story is about the friendship that develops between two children of different faiths. Both become friends when they bond over food, but food ultimately breaks apart their friendship. They begin by liking each other’s company; they admire each other’s clothes, earrings, anklets, etc. Slowly, as the story progresses, their friendship also grows and deepens.…
We encounter the many difficulties the rains bring with them in this story. Everyone is sitting tired, hungry, thirsty, and unable to sleep because the water is dripping through the panni (plastic sheet) that is the roof. Vessels placed at various spots to catch this water keep filling up;
In the recent years, we have seen many new experiments in poems for children. Old and new poets are a part of this trend. On reading these poems one realizes that the gaze for seeing one’s environment has changed, as has the manner of expression. One can see experimental new usage of language and construction.…
How do we visit a jungle and find out about the animals living there without actually sighting even a single one?! If this question intrigues you, this book is for you. Usually, children’s books that speak about the flora and fauna of a particular area are laden with information, names and facts. Mal-Mal Rasta is…
Amir Khusro’s Achraj Bangla is a collection of riddles centered on nature, a timeless treasure that continues to captivate readers of all ages. These centuries-old puzzles, crafted with simplicity and elegance, not only entertain but also encourage us to observe the world around us more closely.
Often, when children pose questions that adults don’t have answers to, they avoid the questions by saying things like, ‘God only will have the answer to this’, and when asked, ‘Who is God? Who should we go to, to ask this?’, children are often pointed to an idol or an image of God. Then, the…
A good friend, when he saw this book fresh on the shelves, immediately thought of me and how relevant it would be for our joint work in critical science and environment education. As someone who has always been fascinated by the living world, whose bucket list has been full of to-dos like scuba diving to…
In another of his metaphorical descriptions of trauma, Hans Sande takes up the topic of puberty and growth. The Norwegian storyteller symbolizes the age of adolescence and the infinite changes that one goes through. As the story begins, a child falls sick after swallowing plums. He gradually believes that a tree is growing from within…
The titular story in the collection, ‘The Tree of Stories’ serves as a visual metaphor brought to life. The tree embodies how stories grow from their roots, evolving into something new while still carrying the essence of their origins. It also manages to suggest an important idea that stories and narratives can be questioned.
When we see what the world is going through right now and what kids are up against, real life is scarier than fiction. Kids cannot choose their environment or the people in it. They do not always have the power and resources to seek out solutions, but they have an appetite, and a real need…
The second important point raised in the introduction is the death of languages. Venkatesh notes that around 6,000-7,000 languages in the world are on the verge of extinction. This is alarming because the disappearance of a language is not just the loss of words, but the end of an entire knowledge tradition of the speakers’ community.
The collection of stories presented in this book have been carefully selected from the Puranas. Many of the characters in the stories would be familiar to children through reference to mythology in Indian homes. Through rituals, spiritual songs, and animated shows, children come across stories of various Hindu gods and demi-gods
Seth, however, consciously veers clear of this convention in the interest of simplicity and approachability. On the whole, through his careful attention to the rhythm, rhyme, and religio-cultural resonances of the Awadhi text, Vikram Seth pleasurably and deftly carries over the cherished hymn to English through this translation.
The most interesting aspect of the story is the natural disaster. The old man points to the sea and says, ‘Look!’. When they looked, no one was screaming; the scene was horrific—from the top of the hill they could see a wall of water approaching…a tsunami! There was water everywhere.
The children must not take the question freed from the confines of the bag to adults, rather they take it to other beings that are free of control; for instance, a crow, and they compile more questions that must be asked. Predictably the adult world of rule and control, the system and the administration, is weary of this development. But the seekers must not give up and the questioning must continue.
The hallmark of Prabhat’s writing style is the simplicity and ease of his storytelling, which takes readers straight back to their childhood. The length of the stories does not diminish their essence; instead, it makes them more concise and impactful. Each story is a precious gem in itself, illuminating the complexities and beauty of the human mind.
In his creations, Sushil not only pays attention to and reveres the magnificence of nature, he also questions the human sensibilities and pride by bringing new imageries that pump so much life that nature almost emerges as a potent entity which needs our attention. In his other creations like ;g lkjk mtkyk lwjt dk(Eklavya)
Taposhi’s real-life, sensitive use of colours are easy on the eyes; there is a dream-like quality in the illustrations that also perhaps reflects Amol’s inner world which keeps harping on that one dream—of becoming one with his kind.
To some such a clinical approach may appear the best method to navigate their way through Britain’s culture wars involving Brexit, immigration, and racism, etc. But the point also is that the debate about Empire in Britain today is not so much about the past as it is about contemporary issues that face the country, and it is often not easy to be clinical about them—especially for those from former British colonies living in Britain today.
Pattanaik interprets a particular Harappan seal as a woman trying to prevent warriors from attacking each other, and assumes that it is a depiction of a myth which indicates a lack of drive for violence. And since myths are supposed to unravel the deep structures of our minds, he argues that Indians were peace loving while violence was the fate of Egyptians and Mesopotamians! Historians are wary of such generalizations.
The Movement gradually acquired political flavour, initially attempting to develop a collective Oraon identity, and later, anti-British and anti-missionary stances and participation. The Tana Bhagat Movement has many facets. It can be read as ‘peasant consciousness’ (Singh, 1988), tribal insurgent consciousness marked by economic reasons (Chaudhury, 1989), a class struggle and ongoing power dispute between landlords and begari workers (Mohaptra, 1991)
The author masterfully brings the key players of India’s unification to life, allowing us to see beyond their titles and into their fears and motivations. Rather than painting the rajas as mere obstacles, we feel their deep sense of betrayal by the British and growing distrust of Congress—emotions that simmer beneath their political decisions.
The book is a wonderful introduction to the lives of various freedom fighters, especially at a time when the ideas of freedom and independence are much debated. Many of them have passed away owing to natural causes in the last few years; many living into their late nineties and some even past hundred
In this book we learn something of the history of battalions, of the movement of forces, of wartime strategies and the reasoning behind tactics employed in times of conflict. We also come to understand how decisions in wartime are made keeping in mind our strengths and weaknesses
Prabhu encourages them to form their own opinions and interpretations, and support their ideas with evidence from the artwork itself. He illustrates this while talking about ‘a tapasvin…and a god’ from the mammoth rock face. He describes the sculpture–man standing on one leg, arms aloft, fingers locked.
Sunny’s text highlights the transformation of Jharkhand from ‘the land of forests and rivers’ to ‘a land of industries and mines’ (p. 8), and raises critical questions for young minds to rethink the very nature of development, land rights, ecological challenges, environmental sustainability and social justice.
Ajeet Bajaj’s narrative of rafting down the Alsek River in snow-bound Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Plateau was another edge-of the-seat thriller, with icebergs, rapids and grizzly bears! Apparently, there are signboards on that route warning adventurers how from that point onward, they ‘are part of the food chain’!
I was a bit skeptical of the book at the outset, wondering how a book could do justice in guiding someone in the complex field of STEM or even the process of being an innovator in, say, five steps and was wary about the possibility of oversimplification. Some of the claims did raise my brows—like trying to teach ‘how to think creatively’
The section on career and finance deals with examinations, career choices and the question of earning money. This section is a good read for parents too, as they will find important tips and methods for handling their child during examination pressure tests.
These fairy tales shall interact with the readers where an iconic character like Snow White can be hearing impaired and communicates through sign language; story reading can in itself be re-invented to make it more inclusive for all hearing-impaired children. Shabdo, the trusted hearing aid, magnifies sounds and enables hearing through varying frequencies and at times the disturbing whistles.
There are twists and turns, and the final destination back to India across the border seems close yet far away, fraught with danger at every step. The author shows how nothing is black and white, and even a hidebound Pakistani intelligence agent lets his humanity peep through his tough exterior. To say more would be a spoiler.
For this realization to dawn she is helped by a small time ‘newbie’ influencer Sameer. They both make mistakes and come out better human beings, thanks to unexpectedly meeting each other.
There are several authentic dialogues between characters that feel natural. It is a book of approximately 220 pages which makes for a quick and enjoyable read. The story is divided into chapters which helps in connecting all the ongoing processes in the story. Some illustrations could be added in every chapter for connectivity. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and inspiring novel.
When Leela’s meshtru, her teacher at school, tells them about how powerful Gandhiji’s speeches are, she can’t help but wonder, how powerful his voice be. Thus starts the journey of interaction with her community on the freedom struggle tidbits (psst– it is worth reading to find how she describes MK Gandhi’s voice)
The Henna Start-Up is the coming-of-age story of a girl from a conservative family who struggles, makes mistakes and has to overcome many threats and challenges for the simple freedom to study what she wants and to have the friends she likes. It is also a romance in which a young adult has to face her feelings for someone whom she both likes and distrusts. The book, though, is not just about Abir; it also is about her family and friends,
The city’s landscape changes before our eyes. There are tanks on the roads, blockades everywhere, and soon, our narrator is given a machine gun to hold by a kindly neighbour, which is obviously not appreciated by her mother. The narrator, her mother and brother watch Molotov cocktails being flung about on the streets and classrooms are now slowly getting bereft of classmates.
When Akran learns that the kidnapped girls–yes, multiple girls–are being used as part of a ritual to bring back a great evil into the world, he has very little time to stop it from happening and yet he must try his best, because the powerful person on the other side has kidnapped Shukra and is using him for nefarious means.
There are a few lines and phrases that especially stood out to me: the idea of setting up a momo stand— ‘Yes! That is something that is quite popular right now and which corporate slave hasn’t wondered the same while having street food? I wonder if I would be happier and better off owning a street stall rather than working a nine-to-five, LOL’
Muskaan has been working for over two decades with poor and marginalized communities of Bhopal. Gaanth brings together the narratives of three women who were little girls during the riots of 1992, which took place after the destruction of Babri Masjid. The stories are based on the authors’
Written by young writers, the stories are full of keen observations and lively details. We see the world through their eyes, endowing it with familiarity, attentiveness, compassion and often humour. The book doesn’t follow a main singular narrative. Instead, each story opens a door into the past, present and future that lives on in the oral accounts of the people of Khichdipur. Under the shadow of the monstrous landfill, we are introduced to the worlds existing in Khichdipur’s blocks—Dhobighat, Dairy Farm, Murga Mandi, Bangali Basti, and Indra Camp, etc.
A bustling urban basti greets on the first page. Intricately detailed roofs and fixtures, water tanks and antennas, herons perched on the pillars, the mosque top with loudspeakers and orange flying festoons leave one transfixed…