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This is a refreshing anthology of short fiction set in Kashmir. The stories are varied and multi-layered, and they talk about people living there, people who were compelled to leave and about visitors who come and go. The book is set on a cord where beauty and pain run in the same vein. The stories bring in the reader to the daily experiences of struggle, dissent, helplessness, love, compassion and courage of people living in Kashmir, and to the uncertainty that constantly looms.
This powerful story tells of an act of courage of a manual scavenger’s daughter. Young Gulab takes the first step to ensure her father does not have to use bare hands for work. Addressing caste issues sensitively and sensibly, the book presents a world that many children are insulated from. Oppression and people living in the margins are portrayed through the narration. The illustrations are evocative, with a choice of colours that align imagination with reality.
This is a fictionalised account of the experience of a single mother in Tamil Nadu. Nandhini balances parenting and work – flower picking in a farm. She not only defies stereotypes but is also an icon of revolution. The book takes the reader through her life, struggles, grit in overcoming challenges and moments of joy. It presents a world that is unknown to many children but one they need to be aware of. The cover illustration is fresh and attractive. The book is a part of an iconic set of five.
This heart-warming story has an underlying spirit of resilience and love. The book indeed feels like the dried rose petals that Deidi, Amiya’s grandmother, preserved within the pages of a book. The story of Deidi flows gently through the book, shared over a cup of noon chai. The book is a reminder that a story is waiting to be told and a book waiting to be written by each of us if only we care to look, listen and write.
The book addresses the real and palpable fear of a riot with much sensitivity and subtlety. This is a must read in today’s predicament of uncertainty, violence and injustice that enter the lives of children, directly or indirectly, in the garb of social media. The role of the adult in unpacking this book for children is vital. The book offers great scope to begin a dialogue about fear, anxiety and what lies within experiences.
This book gives readers a peek into the cultural element of the Parsi community. The book also gives mention to noteworthy names of the community across various fields. The information supported by illustrations makes this book special.
Hop on: My Adventures on Boats, Trains and Planes
The book is a narration of a boy’s first journey on a boat, train and plane. Written as short pieces, each one is endearing and honest. It tells the reader in a comforting way that it is all right to be scared, worried, sick and uncomfortable while living through new experiences. The freshness of images invites the reader right in.
Nature Society Series – Maharashtra
This series of beautiful booklets presents the four states through multiple dimensions. Lessons around the states can be put forth for children in a way that arouses immediate interest. The booklets go beyond information to raise environmental concerns, leading the reader to look at the text critically. It enables looking at the geographical states while being mindful of the various aspects that make it. This is an important set for children, teachers and researchers.
