BOOK REVIEW: "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin

A Newberry Honor book

I fell in love with the cover of this book when I saw it at the bookstore. The title didn't make sense, but the cover gave me reason enough to pick it up and read the back cover. Next the author's name caught my attention for a few months ago I'd heard her beautiful speech on TedX

"Where the Mountain meets the Moon" is about young Minli who lives with her parents in the Valley of the Fruitless Mountain.  Both her parents work hard on the fields to keep their lives going.  Minli loves her father’s stories about the Old Man of the Moon who can help solve any problem.  While her mother is critical of her husband's tales of fantasy, those are the stories that help Minli keep going.  And one day, with hope in her heart, she sets off with a mission - to help bring good fortune to her family. The rest of the  story is about Minli's adventurous journey and the magical friends she meets along the way.

What attracted  me to this book (apart from the beautiful cover) is the theme: a young girl’s hope, her determination to change her family’s poor condition. I also liked the fairytale-like sub-stories that often lead us off the main story, but convey ideas that make them relevant to the main story. 

Grace Lin is an amazing artist.  The detailed Chinese style depictions of various scenes from the story are very elegant and impressive, making me proud to possess this gem.

Appropriate for readers 10+.  I highly recommed this book.  

Listen to author Grace Lin's talk on Ted Talk here

"ORANGE PEEL'S POCKET" by Rose Lewis and Grace Zong

A diverse picture book story

Chan Ming, or 'Orange Peel' as she is known for her love of orange peels, is a Chinese-born girl living in America.  A school lesson prompts her to find out more about her country of birth.  She sets out to run errands with her mother when she meets several Chinese people.  Each person tells her something about China and slips in something into her pocket without her knowledge.

I shared this beautifully illustrated picture book with children who were delighted by its story and illustrations.  Immense excitement was generated as we wondered about the suspenseful things in Orange Peel's pocket!

We also asked ourselves what is special about us and the place we came from.  The question prompted a wide array of answers from the children, including some interesting ones.

Highly recommended.  Appropriate for children 4-8.

BOOK REVIEW: "JJ's Science Adventure - Heat & Light" by Aurelia Tan, Dr. Jonathon Koh and Andrew Ang

I have read many graphic/comic book stories during my childhood - Amar Chitra Kathas (India), Richie Rich, Dennis the Menace, Archie, Asterix, Tintin and so on.  I sometimes still do.  Recently, I heard about Aurelia's Comics for Education (ACE) - graphic novels for kids that teach science!  My interest was piqued!  But when I received a copy, I had to queue up because an 8-year old and his big sister got to it before I did!

Jonathan and Joyce are twins whose grandfather is Professor Tan, a scientist with an important invention - the "World Maker" which helps the twins learn science in an enjoyable way.  Joyce has a special bag that transforms into a portal and takes them into different worlds.  Rob-O is a robot that accompanies the twins in their trips to different worlds, helping and guiding them.

In this story, "Heat & Light", the twins are on a mission to find a puzzle piece in a mining tunnel. But little do they know that they are secretly being followed by one of the evil Professor Sinister's minions.  Will the twins be successful in their mission?

I liked how the authors have incorporated various scientific concepts into the story and weaved them into an exciting adventure!  Various scientific principles related to heat and light are explained in a simple manner.  These help the twins get out of trouble and even to escape dangerous situations.

Silly sibling interactions and awkward situations for the bad guys also give this story an element of humour.  I found Joyce's sensitivity to Professor Sinister particularly amusing.

The illustrations by Nicholas Liem are a winner.  Beautiful, colourful, and suitable pictures complement the story and transport the reader into the world being discovered by the twins in the story.

And that's not all!  The "Did you know?" and "Challenge yourself" sections provide additional information and fun word games at the end of the book.

Overall, this book is a fantastic read for both, boys and girls 7+.  A story book and graphic novel, with adventure, science, humour and plenty of excitement - ALL in one! (http://www.harvestedutainment.com/)

BOOK REVIEW: "Sona and the Wedding Game" by Kashmira Sheth/ Yoshiko Jaeggi

Wedding games have traditionally been a part of Indian weddings since hundreds of years ago when child marriage was very common.  In those days, the games were ice-breakers for the groom and the bride who would've often NOT even seen each other before!  It was also a good way for the two families to get to know one another.  Today the games are still played, but more as a tradition and to add a fun element to the entire marriage celebration.

In this book, Sona is about to attend her first Indian wedding - her sister's!  The more Sona hears about the different, the more fascinated she gets.  There are several traditions that make up the entire wedding program - the mehndi, the groom riding on a white horse, colourful rangoli and garlands over doorways.  It almost seems like a festival!  But what leaves her most astounded is the tradition where she, as the bride’s sister, must steal the groom’s shoes!  

Sona is worried if she will be successful in her important job.  What do you think will happen?

Kashmira Sheth and Yoshiko Jaeggi have weaved this Indian wedding story into a fantastic picture book.   The text authentically portrays the excitement of a first Indian wedding from Sona’s perspective.  Her observations, thoughts and questions help her understand the various ceremonies that make up the wedding.  The tilak or kumkum, the mantras chanted by the priest, walking around the sacred fire seven times – are all explained in a simplistic way. 

Amazingly life-like illustrations spectacularly depict the flurry of activity and enthusiasm that pervades in a wedding household.  Even the ceremonies that make up the wedding, such as mehndi, applying turmeric paste on the bride’s face, the groom riding on a white horse, the bride and groom walking around the holy fire – have all been shown in a remarkably realistic manner.

This is a great multicultural book for children learning about various cultures.  A great resource book on Indian weddings for children.  

Appropriate for audiences 6+.                                           

BOOK REVIEW: "Juna's Jar" by Jane Bahk/Felicia Hoshino

Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award

"Juna’s Jar" is a story about coming to terms with the absence of a friend or loved one. It is filled with both, sad and exciting moments.

When Juna's best friend moves away, she is miserable without him.  She tries to cope with his absence in various ways, each of which involve an empty jar of kimchi.  A small fish swimming in the jar lifts Juna off on an exciting underwater adventure.  When a small bean plant is grown in the jar, Juna climbs down into a rainforest where she has another thrilling adventure.  Next the jar becomes home for a cricket. Juna takes off on the ride of her life flying over the city on the cricket's back.  

Everywhere she goes, Juna looks for Hector and wishes he had been with her.  As Juna wonders what she could put in it next, she finds the most perfect thing she could have wished for.  What is it?  You'll have to read to find out.

This is a beautiful book with charming illustrations that made me fall in love with Juna and story. There's plenty in this story for children - being at one with nature, friendship, adventure and most of all, the message of moving on. 

Appropriate for children 5+.

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 in 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: "Troll Swap" by Leigh Hodgkinson

This is the first book I've ever read by Leigh Hodgkinson, the author/illustrator.  A google search revealed she has written and/or illustrated several other beautiful picture books.

What do you do if you are not what others expect you to be?  Do you continue being who you are, or do you change yourself to please the others?

Timothy Limpet is a troll unlike other trolls.  He likes being clean, lives in a dry, well-lit cave.

Tabitha Lumpit is a little girl unlike other little girls and boys.  She likes being messy, loud and having lots of fun.  "Tabitha Lumpit would rather pick her nose than a flower any day of the week."

For both, Timothy and Tabitha, it is not easy trying to be the opposite of what they already are!  But what can they do?

When their paths collide one day, they find the answer to that question!  Can you guess what it is?
Well, what's the title of the book?
Yes, they SWAP places!

Timothy is happy that he is with Tabitha's parents who appreciate his tidy habits.  Tabitha is happy she can be as loud and messy as she wants with Timothy's family!  Timothy's and Tabitha's families are, of course, delighted that the little ones at home are exactly what they're expected to be!

So does everyone live happily ever after?  Does Tabitha live happily for ever in Timothy's house and does Timothy live happily for ever in Tabitha's house?  You'll have to read the book to find out!
(I'll give you a clue: it's nice to stand out in a crowd!)

The two characters are relatable to children with their tidy/messy habits, quiet/loud nature and polite/impolite ways.  I love the adorable illustrations in this book.

An amusing, entertaining story for children 4+, and yet has a message.