BOOK REVIEW: "What Shall I Wear Today?" by Natasha Sharma/Tanvi Choudhury

Written in informal verse, this simple story is about a problem confronted by many (adults included!)  - "What shall I wear today?"

The little girl on the cover just can't figure out what to wear - pants are too tight, shirts with buttons are troublesome, lehengas are too long, salwars are slippery, and so on.  Will she ever find the perfect thing to wear?

Charmingly illustrated by Tanvi Choudhury, this book has a subtle message for children - that problems must not be cried about.  Instead one should look for ways to overcome them.

This book is perfect as a read-aloud and also for children learning to read. (Ages 4+)

BOOK REVIEW: "Bookasura" by Arundhati Venkatesh

Another hilarious read by Arundhati Venkatesh, author of the Petu Pumpkin series.

Summer hols have started and Bala is bored.  Amma and Appa are always attending to his baby sister who cries, eats and poops all the time.  Thankfully, he has his good friends for company - his BOOKS!  

However, their existence is threatened when Bala finds his baby sister eating up the pages from one of them.  Bala knows what to do - he locks them up in his cupboard.  But what will he do all summer long?  

Soon Bala finds himself on his way to his grandparents' in Melagam.  Bala carries his ten favourite books with him.

Thatha tells lots of stories while Paati makes the most delicious things to eat - dosa, vada, mysore paak and more!

One day, when Bala visits Appa's friends, Navaneeth Uncle and Kala Aunty, he goes exploring in their orchard.  Kala Aunty warns him about not going near the well.  But that’s the place Bala decides to rest and read.  Before long, there is a flash in the sky and a monster stands before him - multi-headed, moustached, book-eating monster, Bookasura! 

Bala is terrified when the monster gobbles up four of his favourite books!  Not only that, Bala must provide three books every day to keep the monster happy. 

Bala is in trouble when he has no more books to feed the monster.  Inspired by Thatha’s story of Bakasura and Amma’s constant criticism of TV, he comes up with a plan.  What does he do?

The author plays well with words - Bakasura, Bookasura, Bakwaasura!  Bala’s conversations with the monster are amusing with the clever use of titles of popular children’s books.  

I liked how the book finally ended, but disliked what I felt were unnecessary descriptions about heads splitting open and eyeballs falling out.  However, some children may enjoy reading about that stuff.

Overall, an enjoyable read for children 6+.

BOOK REVIEW: "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate

Winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal

A shopping mall like no other... With a circus!

An elephant, a dog, a parakeet and a gorilla who has spent 25 years of his life in captivity!

That is what this story is about.  Katherine Applegate brings to us a true story of a male silverback gorilla who was taken thousands of miles away from his home in the forests of Africa.

 Narrated in first person, Ivan tells us about his life in a glass cage, his friends, people around him and humans who visit. 

"I wish humans could understand me the way I can understand them."

Ivan is observed and mocked by circus visitors who beat their chests and expect him to do the same – behave like how they think gorillas behave instead of just sitting and staring back at them.

"It's not as easy as it looks."

Ivan’s glass domain has a tyre swing, a tiny plastic pool and an old TV.  One of the walls even depicts a jungle scene.  But that’s of no use for it doesn’t give the sensation of a real jungle like the feel of a cool breeze, the warmth of the sun and the smell of the flowers.

But there are some things he does like about his life - talking to Bob, the dog and Stella, the elephant, watching movies on TV and drawing pictures!

His favorite human is Julia, the ten year old daughter of the cleaner, who not only seems to understand him, but also inspires him as an artist. 

           

The arrival of Ruby, a baby elephant, is a significant turning point in the story.  Ruby is insecure in her new home.  An ailing Stella helps her adapt and accept her new life.  Before she dies, Ivan promises her to take care of Ruby who is being forcibly trained by Mack to perform tricks for the circus.

Ruby reminds Ivan of his childhood.  Of life outside his glass 'domain'. But he is so used to his captive life that he is unsure about going back to a life of freedom in the forests.

Ivan doesn’t want Ruby to have the same life he did.  He vows to take her back to freedom.  Away from the hook, away from bondage. Back to freedom.  But how can a captive gorilla help a baby elephant?

What does Ivan do? Will he succeed in helping Ruby get a better life? 

Will Ivan ever regain his own freedom? 

I love this unique story with a non-human perspective of humans.  It brings to light the cruelty imposed by humans on animals by unfairly caging and mistreating them for their own benefit. 

This story has a message - about preconceived notions about animals, about perseverance and not giving up hope.  A wonderful read for all animal-lovers! 

"Humans waste words.  They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot."

This book is a must-read for everyone 10+.  No more words to be wasted!

                                                                                                       

BOOK REVIEW: "Ashoka and the Muddled Messages" by Natasha Sharma/Tanvi Bhat

King Ashoka, or Ashoka the Great as he was known, ruled India more than 2000 years ago.  He was all for conquering and expanding his kingdom.  But the heavy loss of life in the battle at Kalinga (modern Orissa) made him a changed man.  He took to Buddhism and became a proponent of non-violence, imposing a ban on animal sacrifices and promoting vegetarianism.  He issued his views in the form of edicts and inscriptions carved on rocks and pillars in his kingdom. 

“Ashoka and the Muddled Messages” is a fictional story.  Someone is tampering with Ashoka’s edicts by conveying the opposite of what the king wants to communicate to his people.  Ashoka seeks help from his Tremendous Ten, a team of trustworthy female bodyguards, who use their prowess to investigate.

Other interesting characters in the story are Ashoka’s chief minister, Agramatya who dons different coloured beards and an incredibly fussy Queen Tishya who is sick of the strictly vegetarian meals cooked by the royal chef!

Who is responsible for altering the edicts?  You’ll have to read the book to find out!

I learned a few things about King Ashoka as part of my school curriculum years ago.  But, thanks to this story (especially the Fact or Fiction section in the end of the book), I learned a few new things – that Ashoka had female bodyguards, that coloured beards were in fashion in that era (why not now, I wonder?), how Ashoka married Queen Tishya, the different names for units of time, and so on.

A part of the HISTORY-MYSTERY series from Duckbill Publishers, this is an interesting read for middle level readers (9+).  Though some younger children may be able to read it, I think the sarcasm and humour will not be fully understood and appreciated. 

I loved the Fact or Fiction section at the end of the story.  But I would’ve liked to see a separate word glossary to look up while reading the story. 

The author, Natasha Sharma has creatively chalked out a well-written story about Ashoka’s real edicts.  Tanvi Bhat’s illustrations are wonderful, making it attractive for readers to pick up the book and satisfy their curiosity.

Look forward to reading other books in the series – “Akbar and the Tricky Traitor” and “Raja Raja and the Swapped Snacks”.

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.