BOOK REVIEW: "Bholu at the Level Crossing" by Varsha Seshan, Rishi Bhardwaj and Bipin Chobhe

During the road trips in my childhood, a stop at the level crossing was much looked forward to. Although we'd often be soaked with perspiration seated in the cars while waiting for the train, it took away the monotony of a long drive and made things more interesting.  There was so much to observe around us - vendors selling fresh fruit, corn on the cob or cool cucumber strips, restless children in the car nearby, cyclists who illegally sneaked across the tracks, and more.

Well, here's a story that brought back all those memories...

"Bholu at the Level Crossing" is an enjoyable book to share with children and teach them about types of trains, level crossing rules and safety.  And who could be a better person to do that than a friendly guard elephant named Bholu?

When the Joshi family halts at a level crossing, little Chitra is full of questions about their stop and very excited when she learns that a train is about to arrive.  Though the older children are bored, their excitement builds up when they spot the friendly Bholu who they've heard of before, but never met.    With permission from the parents, Bholu ushers the children towards his cabin where they get a better view of the trains and learn some interesting facts about them.

This is the first book in the Bholu series. Produced in association with the National Rail Museum, India, this is a good introduction to trains and level crossings.

I recommend this book for children 4+years.

The author has several other books to her credit, including more train stories. Here's a link to other stories written by Varsha Seshan

BOOK REVIEW: "Balu's Basket" by Chitra Soundar and Uttara Sivadas (Publ: Tulika)

Sometimes objects come in handy in unexpected ways, for purposes other than what they are intended for!  (Just like the time my husband used a clean diaper to take care of a coffee spill in a rental car!!)

For Balu, a routine walk home turns into a special experience, all because of a basket!

On his way home from school, Balu finds an abandoned basket on the street.  He picks it up and continues his journey home.  On the way, he uses his basket in various ways to help vendors selling their wares as in a typical village market!  An egg-seller running after his chicks, a flower-seller with her crying baby, a fruit seller with fruits that roll off his table, and more!

The story is accompanied by lovely illustrations that bring to life an Indian village market and make us an eager observer to Balu's journey home.

As I read this story to children, before turning each page we played a guessing game about who Balu would help next and how!

There are several things one can get from this story - the importance of reusing and recycling, the power of creativity and feeling good by helping others.

Highly recommended for children 3+.

BOOK REVIEW: "The Pleasant Rakshasa" by Sowmya Rajendran and Niveditha Subramaniam

Monsters are a theme that have inspired several children's books and movies.  "The Gruffalo", "Go Away Big Green Monster", "Where the Wild Things Are" are only a few of the popular ones.

Bearing semblance to the classic, "The Rainbow Fish", "The Pleasant Rakshasa" is about Karimuga, a 'rakshasa' (monster) like no other.  The other rakshasas think he's lucky because of his beautiful looks.  But Karimuga doesn't feel good about himself!  What's the use of being beautiful if others envy you and feel bad about themselves?

So Karimuga visits a wise, old tree for help in changing things.   When Karimuga goes back home, he is glad to see that the other rakshasas are no longer sad.  Each one has acquired one of his beautiful features.  Unfortunately, now Karimuga himself looks pale without his original beauty.  How does he feel?

Life is a compromise; one must give up something to gain something.  Karimuga loses his beauty, but what does he gain.  Read the book to find out!

The text flows well in simple language except for two words - "immortality" and "invincibility" that I was surprised to come across in a book categorized for 3+.  Quirky, colourful illustrations make the story enjoyable.  Overall, an enjoyable read with the wonderful message of empathy, friendship and sharing.

Recommended for ages 4+.

BOOK REVIEW: “Kanna Panna” by Zai Whitaker/Niloufer Wadia (Publ: Tulika Publishers)

What would you do if nobody 'understands' you?

This story brings to light the 'power' of the less-abled and reminds us that being ‘normal’ has its limitations.

Narrated in the first person, this story is about Kanna, a quiet boy who doesn’t speak much even though words play around in his mind.  But then something happens during his stay with his Aunty’s family.  Something that makes him a whole new person!

Kanna, his Uncle, Aunty and cousins get trapped in the deep, dark maze of cave temples due to a sudden power outage.  Everyone is terrified, except Kanna.  The darkness does not scare him for he is used to it – Kanna is blind!

I love this heartening story and the charming illustrations that go with it. Kanna is such a cute little boy that during my first read of the book, I wondered why the parents were constantly picking on him.  That he is blind gets revealed rather suddenly, making the reader view Kanna differently.  But what follows is truly inspiring!

A thought-provoking read for children 6+.  

BOOK REVIEW: “Ashwathy and the Boot of God” by Sowmya Rajendran (Publ: Puffin)

  

I was intrigued by the title of this book when I spotted it on display at the Starmark bookstore in Chennai.  A glance at the back cover and I was hitched.  And I'm happy to say that I enjoyed reading this book.

When 14-year old Ashwathy of Kuttipuram, Kerala, stumbles upon a boot with a little notebook inside it, she is surprised to meet God who tells her about a murder mystery she, Ashwathy, has been ‘chosen’ to solve.  To help her investigate, God puts her in touch with the murdered woman, Sreeja, who appears before Ashwathy in a dream to share her story. 

A cigarette stub, a strange husband, a quiet daughter, a diary. Ashwathy has some serious investigating to do.  She seeks help from her friends.  Together they form the unofficial FBI Branch of Kuttipuram, Kerala.  With God’s help, they disguise themselves as grown-ups (I especially enjoyed these parts!) to probe around for further clues to help them solve the mystery.

A typical lecturing mother, a supportive father, teachers’ expectations, teen crushes – add to the mystery to make this book enjoyable for all children 12+.  The only awkward character is the math teacher making Ashwathy, and the reader, feel uncomfortable in his presence.  We often get hints until the real story about him is unveiled. 

The FBI Branch of Kuttipuram do emerge winners.  In fact, Ashwathy even sets the math teacher right in her own way with some assistance from God.

I loved how God is portrayed in the story as a helpful, caring, light-hearted woman.  She makes jokes about breaking 108 coconuts as offering, brings tea and even asks for toddy!

A humourous and fast-paced read for ages 12+.  Some adults would relish too!

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: "Mala's Silver Anklets" by Annie Besant, Nancy Raj

Look at the little girl on the cover and you can sense how mischievous and cute she is! 

Mala likes to sneak upon people - she upsets the cat, alarms her grandmother, frightens her little brother and scares the postman.  

One day, Mala's mother brings her a special gift - a pair of silver anklets!  Mala wears her new anklets and proudly walks around.  But soon she discovers a problem.  “Chik Chik Chum” the anklets make a sound everywhere she goes; when she tries to upset the cat, when she tries to alarm her grandmother, when she tries to frighten her little brother and when she tries to scare the postman.  Now the anklets tell everyone that she is coming!

Mala is disappointed.  What does she do?  Read the book to find out.

I was enamoured by the simplicity of the story and the perfect illustrations that show Mala to be what she is - clever, naughty and cute!

Another one of my favourites from Tulika Publishers, this book reminded me of my own dislike for silver anklets as a child.  Though it was not because of the same reason as Mala, I wore them only for very, very special occasions.

A delightful read-aloud for little ones 3+ with its sound effects - Booooo, Hisssss, Muahahaha, Heehaw when Mala scares everyone and a melodious Chik Chik Chum for the anklets.  

BOOK REVIEW: "Petu Pumpkin Tooth Troubles" by Arundhati Venkatesh

Winner of the 2015 Crystal Kite Award

The second book in the Petu Pumpkin series...


Petu Pumpkin's friends form a Gap Club.  But Pushkin (Petu's real name) is ineligible to be a member for he doesn't have a 'gap' in his teeth.  If only he could lose a tooth, then he could be part of the Gap Club too.

Meanwhile, one of the Gap Club members, Jatin, challenges the proud fourth-graders to a football match because they call the Gap Club members "babies". Unfortunately, the Gap Club only has a plastic ball to practice with.  They desperately need a football.

Clever Pushkin makes a pact.  "If you let me join the Gap Club now, I'll ask the tooth fairy for a football when my tooth falls."

The offer is too tempting for the Gap Club to resist.  They are full of ideas and try different ways to make Pushkin's tooth fall - suggesting hard things to eat, tying a thread around his front tooth and pulling it and even aiming their plastic ball at his jaw!  But nothing works.

Then Pushkin remembers his Thatha (Grandpa) being worried about losing his few teeth when Paati (Grandma) offered him hard snacks like murukku and chikki.  Pushkin eats a mound of them and succeeds in making his front tooth loose.

The tooth eventually falls.  But Pushkin's request to the tooth fairy for a football is not granted.  Two, not one, baby teeth are needed to earn a football from the tooth fairy!

Pushkin must loose a second tooth.  With a second front tooth already dangling, he has no problem losing it with some assistance from his friends.

The football is finally granted and the club members begin their practice!

During the match, the fourth-graders take an immediate lead.  But when Pushkin takes over as referee, does the fate of the Gap Club change?  Will the snickering fourth-graders continue calling them "babies"?  To find out, read the book.

I liked the first book in the series - Petu Pumpkin: Tiffin Thief, but found this one more humourous.  Pushkin and his friends seem to get better at outdoing their rivals!  Some scenes such as Pushkin watching his loose tooth in the school toilet mirror while eating his lunch and whistle-hating dogs going after Pushkin and his friends, are particularly humourous.

Although meant for younger readers, this book does have some hard words like "sympathised" and "extricated" and phrases such as "tails between their legs".  But what's the use of a book if it doesn't add to your vocabulary and knowledge of the language?

Overall, an enjoyable read for kids 7+.