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.

"The Pleasant Rakshasa" bears semblance to the classic, "The Rainbow Fish".  Karimuga is one pleasant 'rakshasa' (monster).  The other rakshasas think he's lucky because of his beautiful purple skin, bright pink cheeks, splendid red eyes, teeth as yellow as wild flowers, wonderful hairy legs and huge belly!  But Karimuga doesn't feel the same!  He doesn't like being the reason for anybody's sadness.  He wishes that the other rakshasas could have his beauty.  His wish does come true!  But is Karimuga happy thereon?  It is not until Karimuga discovers something about himself that makes him a very HAPPY rakshasa. Read the book to find out what it is!

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+.  But quirky, colourful illustrations make the story enjoyable.  Overall, an enjoyable read with the wonderful message of friendship and sharing.

Recommended for ages 4+.

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

Zai Whitaker has written a number of books on wildlife, conservation and indigenous people.  This story is about the 'differently abled'.

What would you do if nobody 'understands' you?  That's how the main character, Kanna feels.  He is a quiet boy who doesn’t speak much even though words play around in his mind.  But when something happens during his stay with his Aunty’s family, the incident changes him into 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!

This story brings forth the power of the less abled and reminds us that being ‘normal’ has its limitations.  One must never take anyone for granted! What a surprise for Kanna's Aunty when someone unexpected likes Kanna comes to the rescue! 

A thought-provoking read for children 8+.  Can be read by slightly younger children too.

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 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!

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”.