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Annie Besant, one of the most pro lific writers for children in India, is the author of this beautiful gift set for little readers. The world of Beebop, the most friendly and special buzzing bee, is peopled by Sarah, the leader of the group, Jay, a true explorer, Chalk the beloved doggie companion, Zubin and Zoya, the twin enfant terribles. Aimed at the Level 1 reader, the four story books are paired with four activity books. As each story unfolds, it takes the reader through the most exciting and magical expeditions.

The Will, meant for level 3 readers, is again a singularly inappropriate choice in storyline and comes across as morbid.To have a child read about how a father makes a will against the event of his death, how the three sons ignore the naseehat in their hurry to find his vasiyat, and the mother has to intervene to prevent them from fighting with one another—makes one squirm.

Pratham Books, an NGO, has been engaged in publishing books in multiple Indian languages to promote reading among children. Their mission is to see a book in every child’s hand, one that they have been successfully carrying out over the last 12 years. The Children’s special issue every November has always carried reviews of Pratham titles (available online on the goodbooks and the book review sites). However, the two titles being reviewed here are a bit problematic in more ways than one.

This bilingual text for age 3 , written by Meenu Thomas (author of Fakhruddin’s Fridge, Tulika) in English and Hindi, is about two little boys, as different as chalk and cheese in their likes and what they like to do. But all the same, they are the best of friends. With minimum text but brought alive by exuberant illustrations, a story of universal friendship will be understood by the toddler without any need for explanations.

The moment one thinks of an alphabet book, boring boxes with letters printed in one corner and a garish image of fruit or an animal in the rest, come to the mind. So when gems like The Book of Beasts show up on bookshelves, it is time to rejoice and grab your copy. Children need to be connected with Nature and it is books like these that accomplish the task. Even if you’re old for children’s books, you will surely enjoy it because it is so insightful. The book starts off with the foreword from the author’s granddaughter, who had been given these animal verses as a birthday present by her grandfather.

Who doesn’t love a superhero? Even if he’s one with seven and a half limbs? Rot8 is the resident octopus at Goa Sea World. An accident at birth leaves this cephalopod with half a limb missing. This is soon put to rights by vet Reena Renaldo and the scientist ZubbuZwami.