Showing posts with label Mythology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mythology. Show all posts

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

Book Review - Amma, tell me about Diwali!

BOOK PICK OF THE WEEK - 13/10/2014

NAME OF THE BOOK - Amma, tell me about Diwali!
AUTHOR - Bhakti Mathur
ILLUSTRATOR - Maulshree Somani
PUBLISHER - Anjana Publishing
AGE GROUP - 4+

          Just a week left to Diwali and we are already enjoying the pre-Diwali festive spirit. All shops are crowded, roads are chock-a-block with carts selling rangolis, diyas, lanterns etc. Diwali is one festival where there is no distinction between rich and poor, caste, religion etc. All of them celebrate in individual capacity but celebrate nonetheless.

          For our book pick of the week, then, we had to choose a book related obviously to Diwali. So, here is a book that describes how Diwali is celebrated and why. Amma, tell me about Diwali was part of the monthly quota of books we receive in our LRN kit (Mythology theme).

  Image Courtesy: Amazon.in

ABOUT THE BOOK -
          This is the second book we are reviewing it in this series. You can read the review of Amma, tell me about Ganesha here. The book starts off with Diwali celebrations in Klaka's house. They light Diyas, burn fire-crackers, eat sweets, etc. Then when going to bed, Klaka asks why do we celebrate Diwali and their mother explains to them the story of Homecoming of Lord Rama in Ayodhya - of how Lord Rama was ordered fourteen years in exile, how Ravana captures Sita, How Lord Rama wages a war against Ravana with the help of Hanumana and how they return to their homeland.

          The book does not end here. Amma also tells another story od Goddess Lakshmi of how she blesses her true devotees.

          Written beautifully in poetic verses, and amazingly illustrated, this book is a delight to even flip the colourful pages! Some sample lines are as follows -

Brilliant firecrackers lighting up the night,
Diyas twinkling like stars - what a sight!
This is Diwali, in all its glory
As told to little Klaka, by his Amma - a magical story.
 
First the celebration of Prince Rama and his homecoming,
His victory over Ravana, the evil demon King.
Next a story of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth
who rewards her true devotees with fortune and good health.

          The author has written in such a simple language for even a 4 year old to understand Ramayana. It would have become very daunting to explain it. Thank you Bhakti Mathur for making the parents' job easier.

At the end, a glossary of Sanskrit terms is explained in English.        

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
Bhakti Mathur lives in Hong Kong with her husband, her two sons, and their beloved Golden Labrador. She is a banker by profession.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR-
Maulshree Somani lives with her husband and son in Mumbai, India. She worked at Walt Disney and subsequently set up her own graphic design company.

          Members, the book is available on first come first serve basis at our library. Others can buy it on Amazon, Flipkart or even at their online website. Wishing you a very happy, safe and prosperous  Diwali. Do read the book and tell us what you think of it.
 

Come join a set of fabulous bloggers sharing their Diwali moments , easy Crafts, DIY ideas, Recipes and book recommendations with you .

Starting from today till Diwali and beyond, each one of us will be writing a post related to Diwali.
Participating blogs
So sit back, relax and check out all the fabulous Diwali Dhamaka posts in the linky.

Monday, 25 August 2014

Book Review - Amma, tell me about Ganesha!

BOOK PICK OF THE WEEK - 25/08/2014

NAME OF THE BOOK - Amma, tell me about Ganesha!
AUTHOR - Bhakti Mathur
ILLUSTRATOR - Maulshree Somani
PUBLISHER - Anjana Publishing
AGE GROUP - 4+


          This Friday, being Ganesh Chaturthi, preparations are on a full swing since we bring Gapanati Bappa at our home. Home being swept clean, doors and windows being mopped, curtains and carpets being washed, preparing the Prashaad, this festival brings a new aura to every household! We at the Library, too decided to review a book based on the story of how Lord Ganesha got its elephant head.
          Lord Ganesha is the favourite God among kids and they fondly call him Bappa! and why not! When he has such a cute face, who will not like that? Lord Ganesha is given a very important status in Hindu households as every new beginning starts with a prayer to him. Even while doing a Pooja, Lord Ganesha is remembered first!



          This book written by Bhakti Mathur, starts with a  Sanskrit Shlok - 'Vakratunda Mahakaya' and its meaning in English and then straightaway depicts a  street scene of Lord Ganesha being immersed in water. After the festivities end, the mother (Amma), while putting her children to bed, ask her how did Lord Ganesha get its elephant head. She then narrates the story. I'm sure everyone knows that story so, I'm not going to narrate it here.

          The book is described wonderfully in verses and its illustrations do full justice to the story being told. The language used is very simple and can be easily understood by small kids and best suited for reading aloud. Sample this -

Ganesha's birthday is celebrated
With fun and lots of fanfare.
His idols are placed on the rolling grass
With ardent prayer and gentle care
 
Ganesha, loved by all,
Is the son of Shiva and Parvati!
This is the story of his birth and how
His elephant head came to be. 

 At the end, a glossary of Sanskrit terms is explained in English.        

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
Bhakti Mathur lives in Hong Kong with her husband, her two sons, and their beloved Golden Labrador. She is a banker by profession.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR-
Maulshree Somani lives with her husband and son in Mumbai, India. She worked at Walt Disney and subsequently set up her own graphic design company.

          So, now while we wait to welcome Lord Ganesha to our home, don't forget to narrate this story to your children!

गणपती बाप्पा मोरया। 
पुढच्या वर्षी लवकर या। 
 
Till then,
Happy Reading!