Monday, October 27, 2014

The Dust Storm by Geeta Dharmarajan



Award winning author, Geeta Dharmarajan turns a dust storm, otherwise considered boring and disruptive into a magical journey.  In her book, The Dust Storm a little girl enjoys surging and swirling in the storm.    

Title: The Dust Storm
Published By: Katha
Story: Geeta Dharmarajan
Illustrations: Atanu Roy
Price: INR 140

What is it about: What happens when you encounter a dust storm?  Nearly everyone shuts their eyes or covers them to keep the dust out.  We scramble for cover.  The Dust storm however presents this phenomenon in a new light. 
To find out what happens when a little girl is caught in a dust storm read the book!

Why it stands Out:  Atanu Roy’s illustrations make a dust storm so magical and beautiful.  Geeta Dharmarajan keeps the story simple and peppered with catchy rhymes.  The book teaches young readers about the beauty in things otherwise considered boring.  It is an excellent early lesson in looking at things from a new perspective.

Will be best enjoyed by: All kids above 5 years will enjoy this book.  

Tips for Moms and Teachers: Some activities you can link to this book are:
Get the kids to make up their own little rhymes.  Try talking about rain, thunderstorms or even things like the sunrise and sunset.
Talk about the air, the atmosphere and the rainbow to make it a learning experience.

Love Ratings?
Suspense Quotient: 3
Fun Quotient: 3
Simplicity Meter: 4
Visual appeal: 5





Saturday, October 25, 2014

Hic!copotamus by Geeta Dharmarajan



Hic!copotamus  by award winning author Geeta Dharmarajan is an endearing story  about a hippopotamus, Hawasi whose hiccups send him on a journey from his home in Mzima Springs, Africa to Gulmohar Jungle, India.    
Title: Hic!copotamus
Published By: Katha
Story: Geeta Dharmarajan
Illustrations: Atanu Roy
Price: INR 140

What is it about: Hiccups can be problematic?  But did you know that they can be the reason why a huge Hippopotamus goes off on a journey from Africa to India?  That’s the story of Hawasi, the hippo in Geeta Dharmarajan’s endearing tale.

What happens when Hawasi gets a huge hiccup that propels him from in Mzima Springs, Africa to Gulmohar Jungle, India ?  Are the animals of Gulmohar jungle helpful and hospitable?  Or are they scared by this huge animal who lands with a thud in the White Lily Pond? Well I won’t give that away.  Read this engaging book to know more.  

Why it stands Out:  Spread over 22 pages, this book has really cute illustrations of the wild by Atanu Roy.  Geeta Dharmarajan once again does what she does best, tells a simple story with elan.  The story is short, simple and humorous.  It helps young readers to understand why a newcomer no matter how different is someone who must be welcomed and helped.   It is an excellent tool to introduce readers to some facts about hippos.  

Will be best enjoyed by: All kids above 5 years will enjoy this book.  

Tips for Moms and Teachers: Some activities you can link to this book are:
Tell your kids about how being different does not mean shunning someone. 
 
Talk to them about being helpful to newcomers in their circle at school just like the animals in this story helped Hawasi.  

Get the kids to talk about what they can do if a new student comes to class or how they will help a new kid in the neighborhood.  

Love Ratings?
Suspense Quotient: 4
Fun Quotient: 4
Simplicity Meter: 4
Visual appeal: 5

Friday, May 30, 2014

Our Teacher by SuRaa



Our Teacher, translated from an original story by Sundara Ramaswamy is a wonderful story that teaches the importance of integrity.  

Title: Our Teacher
Published By: Katha
Author: Sundara Ramaswamy (SuRaa)
Translated by: Malati Mathur
Art: Neeta Gamgopadhyay
Price: INR 150





What is it about: Academic failure is plaguing Section A of the school.  Section B guided by the very capable Padmavathi M’am is doing very well in studies.  But then again there is only one Padmavathi M’am, the lone lady teacher in a school manned by 40 teachers.  Will Section A ever be able to score cent per cent marks in Maths?  Will anyone from the class bag the Seethalakshmi Annual Memorial Prize? A glimmer of hope arrives in the form of Elizabeth Thomas, a new teacher.  Will Section A excel?  Read the book to know more.  

Why it stands Out:  A wonderful lesson of integrity, hard work and perseverance.  The story has a charm of its own brought out by the black and white illustrations by Geeta Gangopadhyay.  In times when “cut, copy, paste” has become the mantra of many, this book is a great read for young readers

Will be best enjoyed by: Young readers above 10 years.

Love Ratings?
Fun Quotient: 5
Simplicity Meter: 5
Visual appeal: 4

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Thangam of Mehrgah by Geeta Dharmarajan



Thangam of Mehrgarh by Geeta Dharmarajan is the winner of The Katha Chitrakala-Search for Excellence.  Beautifully illustrated by Mrinalini Sardar, this book is a great way of introducing young readers to the Indus Valley civilization.

Title: Thangam of Mehrgarh
Published By: Katha
Author: Geeta Dharmarajan
Art: Mrinalini Sardar
Price: INR 225





What is it about: Thangam is a girl who lived in the Indus Valley and the book is a magical journey in to a civilization that has fascinated historians and ordinary folks alike.  What happens when caravans laden with precious jewels arrive in Thangam’s city of Mehrgarh.  Will Thangam leave her chores of feeding animals and rush to see what the merchants have brought?  What offer does her father make to the merchant who has the best lapis lazuli? For all this and more pick Thangam of Mehrgarh off the shelf and travel in to an enchanting bygone era.    

Why it stands Out:  The illustrations by Mrinalini Sardar bring the magic of thousands of years ago alive.  The story is peppered with details of life as it was in the Indus Valley.  Details of the script, sanitation, way of life for a child back then and many more interesting facts at the end of the book make the book a valuable peek in to history. 

Will be best enjoyed by: Young readers above 8 years.

Love Ratings?
Fun Quotient: 3
Simplicity Meter: 5
Visual appeal: 5