Book Review - Bear Feels Sick!

BOOK PICK OF THE WEEK - 21/07/2014


          Finally, we are relieved of the dry spell! But, with monsoons making a grand appearance, a host of maladies come quietly and create havoc in our just-settled academic routines. Then comes the usual round of visiting doctors, gulping bitter medicines, eating chicken soup, bunking school and so on and so forth. Parents worry about the extra burden of school work to be completed while children get bored just lying in the bed and watching TV! What to do?

          That leaves us with wonderful books! And hence, this week I have picked up a wonderful book where a bear is feeling sick and how his friends help him to get better.

          The book is reviewed here by a fellow mommy blogger Leela Padmaja (thus minimizing my work!) and you can follow her blog here.

          Hope you remain in the pink of your health.
          Till then, Happy Reading!

Book Review - Rain, Rain!

BOOK PICK OF THE WEEK - 14/07/2014

NAME OF THE BOOK - Rain, Rain!
AUTHOR - Sanjiv Jaiswal ' Sanjay'
ILLUSTRATOR - Ajit Narayan
AGE GROUP - 1-6 years
GENRE - Monsoons, Seasons


          This week, I have picked up a book relating to monsoon! You must be wondering I'm mad to review a book about rains when, at present, we are experiencing a drought - like situation in our state! But folks, let's read this book and maybe, just maybe, the effect of cumulative thinking and wishing may actually please our Rain God and he may literally shower his blessings on us!

          The book I'm talking about  is 'Rain, Rain!' By Sanjiv Jaiswal 'Sanjay' and illustrated by Ajit Narayan. It is published by Pratham Books, a non-profit organization.

          A small book narrating the importance of monsoon in our everyday life and its after-effects is described beautifully. Perfect even for our tiny bunnies and rabbits, this book can be used as a great read-aloud or for even reading alone.

THE STORY -
          Once, a cloud is wandering by. Each character in the story whether a peacock or a farmer is requesting the cloud to rain, albeit for different purposes. Soon, the cloud starts raining and makes everybody happy.

          This is the beauty of rains. Everyone wants it but for a different reason altogether. Just a drizzle here and there, everything looks new and fresh!

THE LESSON -
          Making others happy without expecting anything in return gives us satisfaction and contentment.

WHAT I LIKED IN THE BOOK -

• Colourful and bright illustrations.
• Extremely simple text for budding readers.
• A very small book of just 12 pages which can keep even babies engrossed. This is the star feature of Pratham Books.
• Simple language used to narrate why do we require rains.

A NOTE ON THE AUTHOR ND ILLUSTRATOR -
          Sanjiv Jaiswal is a senior official in the Ministry of Railways. His books have won many awards at the national level.
          Ajit Narayan is a cartoonist consultant for Scholastic India and is the author of 'Cartooning with Ajit Narayan'.
         

Till next week, Soak in the showers sipping hot cuppa of tea and Happy Reading!

Book Review - Wilbie Footie mad!

BOOK PICK OF THE WEEK - 7/7/14

NAME OF THE BOOK - Wilbie Footie Mad!
AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR - Sally Chambers
AGE GROUP - 3 to 8 years
GENRE - Team spirit, Football, Sportmanship.

With the ongoing FIFA 2014, Reading Rabbits couldn't be left behind in exploring a book about football. Though essentially a boy's game, this book can bridge the gender gap and inculcate interest in the game.

THE STORY -

          Wilbie, a duckling adores football so much so that he has read every book, watched every match, heard everything related to football. Except, practice! The passion of football has rubbed on him due to his father's keen interest in the game.

          One day, team trials are held in the park. Wilbie is confident that he will secure a place in the team since he is so knowledgeable about the game. But alas, he cannot even manage with the ball. He feels very disheartened. The coach sees his enthusiasm and keeps him as an extra to do odd jobs.

          His dad kindly encourages him to practice everyday. They bond very well at the practice sessions. And, at the team practice sessions, he works hard like fetching drinks and snacks to his team members with sincerity and dedication. Being so helpful, one day the team members decide to give him a chance to play at one of the sessions.

          What happens next is the rest of the story. Upon receiving a golden chance, does he prove himself? Can he secure a place in the team? What lesson does he learn? Or he just remains an extra?

THE LESSON -

          Merely being knowledgeable is not enough. You should be wise enough to use that knowledge to accomplish success and be victorious.

WHAT I LIKED IN THE BOOK -

• Abundant soccer vocabulary with plenty of illustrations to inculcate interest in the game even for toddlers. Sally has done a good job with illustrating.
• The bonding of father-son duo over practice is depicted very nicely. A subtle message for all of us - Spending quality time is more important.
• Every day is not your day - An another lesson. Children will learn the spirit of sportsmanship.
• The book shows how not to be bogged down by failures. Rather, take it in your stride and work towards it.
• Often, over-confidence brings you down. Being merely knowledgeable but not making use of it is also disastrous.

 Till next week, happy Reading!

Inauguration Ceremony!

          The Inauguration ceremony of Reading Rabbits Library was a grand success. Our chief Guest, Madam Asawari Shenolikar, Editor, Twinkle Star of The Hitavada did the honours of inaugurating the library on 01/07/2014.

          Reading Rabbits is a home-based library catering to children from 1 to 12 year olds. We have a huge range of highly acclaimed international, regional, bi-lingual books as well as non-fiction, ACK comics, lift-the-flaps, touch-and-feel, pop-ups etc. Currently, over 800 books are stocked which will keep on rising in the months to come by.

          Every month, we will be celebrating a theme or two depending on the current time, weather, festivals etc. A list of books based on the theme will be mailed to our members in our monthly newsletter.

          Also, every Monday a book will be chosen as 'Book Pick Of The Week' wherein it will be reviewed on this blog. We will have guest bloggers to review the books.

          Till then, Happy Reading.