BOOK REVIEW: "The Adventures of Beekle-The Unimaginary Friend" by Dan Santat

A 2015 Caldecott winner

Author-illustrator Dan Santat brings us this story about a far-away island where imaginary friends are born and reside, waiting for a real child to pick them.  Beekle is one such imaginary friend.  But soon he is left alone in the island for he is the only one who has not been picked. 

Disappointed but determined, Beekle sets out on a journey to the real world.  He must find a real child who will be his friend!

Beekle finds the world of real people unfamiliar and strange until he sees other imaginary friends like himself.  But where is his friend?

Beekle climbs atop a tree.  There are many real children around him.  But when no real child comes to him, he feels sad. 

However, the windy autumn day brings something with it that makes Beekle feel better.  What is it and what happens next?

I like this book for various reasons.  One, this is the first time I read a story about imaginary friends instead of children with imaginary friends.  Two, the first sentence of the story really got me hooked– “He was born on an island far away where imaginary friends were created.”  Three, the depictions of various imaginary friends, including Beekle himself, are very likeable.  And finally, the way this book ends makes me wonder if there’ll be a sequel for readers to look forward to.

This book is appropriate for children 4+.  There is a message in the story - that life is full of ups and downs.  One must never give up on one’s dreams, but keep trying.

BOOK REVIEW: "Chained" by Lynne Kelly

Winner of the Crystal Kite Award for 2013

'Chained' is set in a fictional village in Rajasthan.  The story is about ten-year old Hastin whose sister, Chanda, is seriously ill with malaria.  When home remedies don’t seem to work, Hastin’s mother takes Chanda to the nearest hospital in the city far from their village. 

Chanda can be treated, but it will cost Hastin’s family more than they can afford.  Hastin's father is not alive.  But a kind man named Raju Sharma pays off the money needed for Chanda’s treatment.  However, Hastin’s mother must pay off their dues by working for the man in the city, away from her children!

When Hastin visits his mother in the city, he sees her poor working conditions and decides that he must step up as 'the man of the house'.  He begins looking for work.  But who will hire a young, untrained boy? 

ENTER Timir, a former circus owner looking to restart a circus.  Timir hires Hastin to work for him for a year - a period of time Hastin must work to earn money to repay his family’s debt.  And so Hastin begins his work as an elephant keeper!  

His first task is to catch a wild elephant in the jungle.  As much as he dislikes the idea of his task, he must do whatever his master says.  Every day he keeps watch on a troop of elephants that come to the jungle river, wishing that none of them ever fall into the nasty pit dug up by Timir's men.  But alas, one day, it happens!  And the one to fall in the pit is none other than the baby elephant he calls Nandita!

Hastin and Nandita develop a special bond over time.  Hastin sees himself in her for they are both separated from their families! 

One day, Hastin learns that the elephant trainer, Sharad has been mistreating Nandita to force her to do certain tricks.  To add to it, Timir makes her to perform more shows that eventually lead to Nandita's exhaustion and she collapses!  Kind old Ne Min, Timir’s cook, advises Hastin about taking care of Nandita when she is injured and unwell.

Hastin is miserable.  He feels responsible for Nandita's enslavement and often thinks of running away and freeing Nandita as well.

Timir is unsatisfied and angry about Nandita’s condition and blames Hastin for it.  He declares that Hastin must serve him for more than a year as penalty.

Do things ever get better for Hastin and Nandita?  Will they ever regain their freedom?   To find out, you'll have to read the book.

The story moves slowly, but becomes fast-paced after the first few chapters.  

I particularly liked the part where Hastin watches the elephants enjoying themselves in the river.  The scene where Nandita gets trapped and Hastin’s reaction to it is particularly touching!  I also liked how the author builds the suspense on the past lives of Ne Min and Sharad, making me curious to read further.

I didn't find the climax very convincing, but liked how the story ended.

Overall, I think this book is a great read for ages 10+.

BOOK REVIEW: “Poachers in Paradise” by Shamim Padamsee

The second book in The Adventures of the Flying Magic Jharokha series, Poachers in Paradise is Vayu and Deeya’s second adventure to find the second (out of three) keys to free their Uncle Jadoo from an evil djinn (spirit).

To help fulfill their mission, Jhoky, the magic flying window, takes the children to Kashmir where they befriend a Kashmiri girl, Zoon and her dog, Chimpu.

Poachers are out hunting for the native Kashmiri deer, hangul, for its beautiful antlers.  Vayu and Deeya, along with Zoon and Chimpu, help get the poachers arrested.

Bearing semblance to the Magic Treehouse series, this series is easy to read for readers who have reading skills.  I like this series because it not only whisks off readers on exciting adventures, but also gives them information about things unique to the place visited.  For instance, this story acquaints readers with things local to Kashmir - the hangul deer, kahwa (local tea), pheran (traditional dress for women) and wazwan (traditional feast).

I highly recommend this series for ages 6+ or anyone who loves the Magic Treehouse series.