In my heart- a children’s book on adoption

One of the many reasons my then friend, now husband, and I connected was on our views on adoption- both of us wanted heart babies some day. But we have had to put that dream on hold for now, due to various reasons. A couple of years back, when I was researching children’s books on this topic, I almost drew a blank, save for a handful of decent ones. Which is why this book makes me personally very happy.

In my Heart by Nandana Dev Sen and published by Penguin India tells the story of little Mia, who is a heart baby. She is a happy girl, and loves her family. She knows she came out of her parents’ heart. She also knows she is similar to her parents. They love a lot of similar things- dinosaurs, books and beaches to name some. One day, she meets her friend’s mom who has a baby in her tummy, and is intrigued.… Click to read the rest

The Jungle Radio- Book review

All books are beautiful. But some are just downright gorgeous. This is one such.

In The Jungle Radio- Bird Songs of India, aptly published by Penguin Random House, little Gul goes on a walk and encounters a myriad of birds and their sounds. A very simple story at the outset, but so much more.

What we loved

 The story is very simple and straightforward- no suspense and a feel good book.

 I’ve become so much more knowledgeable after V, thanks to her books. I did not know the names of more than half the birds mentioned in the book, until I read it!

 The whole book is written in beautiful rhyme and the bird calls are woven beautifully into the text making reading this book aloud such an enriching and fun experience 

 The sparkly illustrations stay with you for a long time after you’ve read it.

 The index at the end of the book, that names all the birds mentioned, resources used to research makes one applaud the author’s effort.… Click to read the rest

Ruskin Bond’s Coming round the mountain- book review

I grew up on Enid Blyton and Ruskin Bond’s books. These are the earliest books I remember loving, once I started reading independently as a child. Imagine my joy then, when Penguin India sent me Bond’s latest book to review!

The story itself is an autobiographical memoir of Bond’s life at school through the year 1947. He loves reading, playing football or hockey, eating jalebis, sneaking out of school and having fun with his gang of friends. The Fearsome Four belong to different religions and have distinct personalities. But as Bond puts it, “Adults seem to think it important, but at thirteen, friendship and loyalty seemed to matter more.”

The boys have the usual school challenges- studies, sports, food, new girl in an all boy’s school, sneaking out and getting caught, bonding over spankings, etc. But the boys also encounter partition, choices. separation, death and hope.

Written in Bond’s simple style, the book makes one think fondly of their school days.… Click to read the rest