Ramu's Ride

An endearing tale of Ramu’s first tryst with the bicycle.

Title: Ramu’s Ride

Published By: MultiStory Learning Pvt. Ltd.

Author: Karishma

Illustrator: Suzzanne

Price: INR 200

What is it about: All of four, Ramu wants a bike.  Just like Sara’s.  But his father says no because he’s too small to ride one.  Then on a hot summers day Sara invites Ramu to ride on her cycle.  The result? An adventure which takes them from sheer delight in the animals and people they come across during the ride to a fall that sends them spinning downhill.  What happens to the frog, the hog and aunty on a jog all of whom Ramu and Sara came across on their way uphill? Will little Ramu ever own a bicycle?  Or will he wait to ride one till he grows up?  Read the book to know all about Ramu’s first bicycle ride and more. 

 

Why it stands Out:  Warm, friendly illustrations make this 60 page book a beautiful buy.  The story line is simple and the text rhymes wonderfully.  It teaches young readers about adventure, disappointment, believing in yourself, parental support and encouragement.   

Will be best enjoyed by: Young readers above 2 years

Tips for Moms and Teachers: Some activities you can link to this book are:

Play word games.  Encourage kids to make little rhymes.  Word games and jumbles at the end of the book are also good to indulge in.   

Love Ratings?

Suspense Quotient: 4

Fun Quotient: 5

Simplicity Meter: 4

Visual appeal: 4

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

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

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