The Ultimate Shape Game!!!

I can’t believe that we’ve reached the end of the 30 books in 30 days challenge!!! Sorry for cliché …but it only feels like yesterday that I decided to post our reading experiences on a daily basis on Onestoryaday, in order to participate in the challenge hosted by friend and fellow blogger Bubbleink!  Reading everyday was given, but I was not sure if I could live up to my challenge of posting it every day on Onestoryaday! I guess it’s not just the reading but the sharing of our reading adventures with other like minded moms that made this experience most memorable. It not only brought all the reader moms onto a single platform, but enabled us to interact and exchange notes on each other’s reading experiences, all thanks to Bubble ink! Kudos to Bubbleink and her blogger friends for this wonderful initiative and the follow-up support! We loved the day-to-day reading prompts on wide ranging topics and issues we’d want our little ones to dwell on! At first, I read whatever I had on hand …without paying too much attention to the daily reading prompts posted by Bubbleink. Well, it only got tougher as everyone began reading on the lines of the day’s prompt, taking the challenge to the next level! So it’s not a surprise that in between work, routine home duties and Abhay’s final assessments, finding books that conform to Bubbleink’s pick of the day became our priority No.1! J

Thanks once again Bubbleink and team!

 

 I guess today’s reading prompt is the easiest of all, our favourite book! I guess every kid's favourite keeps changing like the seasons and the current flavor of the season at out house is “The Shape Game” by someone who we've grown to really like and look forward to -  “Anthony Browne”, who was the  Children’s Laureate for 2009-11! Anthony Browne is someone who believes that picture books are for anybody at any age and not just books to be left behind as we grow older! This is so true as we parents seem to enjoy Anthony Browne 's books just as much as our seven year old! Most of his illustrations seem simple yet they convey a profound understanding of the world around us. In this story, a family of four comprising of mother, father and their two sons decide to visit an art museum to fulfill the mom’s birthday wish and it becomes an enriching experience for all them particularly the younger son (who is supposedly the author himself!). As they enter the museum, the dad and the older son seem unsure of how much fun this trip would be as the dad cannot figure out modern art. They browse through some of the famous paintings and the mom is shown engaging her sons with questions about what the paintings remind them of or to spot the differences between similar looking paintings, while the dad non-chalantly regales his jaded sons with some of wisecracking jokes.

But soon, dad find himself captivated by the beauty of some of the exhibits, especially a painting of a lion that he feels looks real, to which his sons cannot but suppress a giggle as they wonder how would their father react if a real lion springs out of the painting! J So that’s how the family spend the entire day admiring, imagining and reflecting on the paintings and art in the gallery while your little one vicariously lives through their amazing experience! Finally,  as they leave the gallery with high spirits, mom shows them the brilliant drawing game called the Shape Game….where the first player draws an abstract shape and each player thereafter adds his own shape to later give the shape a recognizable form! The author who is also a brilliant illustrator finally confesses that in a way, he has been playing the shape game ever since…..!!!!

Aided by spectacular illustrations of the gallery art and unique but realistic portrayal of the reactions and expressions of each family member, this is almost like a beautiful motion picture in front of your eyes ….only if you have the imagination to see it!  From the above....……it is an understatement to even term this books a-must read!!!  All I can say is ....go grab your copy today!!!

Beastly times!

Poetry and sing-alongs have been an integral part of children's literature from probably time immemorial. These days even infants respond to nursery rhymes, as none of the new generation toys come without built in sing-alongs or rhymes! Of course, we've come a long way since the days when Barney's Nursery Rhymes was the only music being played on our car stereo! But, off late I have been trying to introduce Abhay to poetry. Well, I can't say he is greatly enthused but a little exposure here and there will certainly help him appreciate the art of words in verse, if not kindle his poetic spirit!  

 

 So in keeping with today's reading prompt "Sing-along” for the 30 books in 30 days challenge and on World Poetry day, I read a couple of poems from "Beastly tales from here and there" by the one and only Vikram Seth and illustrated by Prabha Mallya. Originally published in 1992, this collection has been given a new lease out of life in its illustrated edition published by Puffin books. This is a collection of famous animal fables from all over the world but narrated in verse. There are some children’s works that seem passable but make great reads when read aloud, then there are those that delight you as a parent but your little one doesn’t mirror the same feeling as its being read aloud………..and finally there are those works that are a joy to read…… and it doesn’t matter if you have kids or don’t to share this joy with ……and the Beastly tales is one such work of poetry. Bracketing this as a children’s book would be unfair as it would only limit the audience who’d otherwise pick up and  revel in his amazing play with words! Most of the stories aren’t new but it’s the poetic retelling that’s telling!:-)

 

 

 

"Beastly tales ..." is a collection of ten animal stories, with first two "The Crocodile and the Monkey" and "The Louse and the Mosquito" are from India and other tales from China, Ukraine, Greece, etc. Though recommended  for children aged five and above, I feel its tongue-in-cheek-humour  and a brush with reality best resonates with older kids.  For instance,  in "The Hare and the Tortoise"  the author adds several nuances to the characters of the cocky hare and the wise tortoise, and the final outcome puzzled Abhay as it did not seem as straightforward as the ending in the age old tale. Our favourite however is  "The Crocodile and the Monkey" where the monkey fools Kurup, the crocodile about having left his heart back in the tree....when Crocodile scared at the prospect of upsetting his wife,  pleads ...

"How my sweetheart will upbraid me! 

Monkey, monkey --- you must aid me"

"Well ....'--- the monkey placed his paw

Thoughtfully upon his jaw---

'Well, although the day is hot

And I'd rather not---

We could go back and fetch my heart, 

Check its sweetness, and depart.'

....Like I said, you are in for beastly feast! :-)

No excuses on Read-aloud Day!

One of our first family story times at the library was back when Abhay was just a toddler and believe me, the last thing that our two year old wanted to do was sit in one place for the next twenty minutes or so. But we took heart (at least my husband did!) that Abhay was not the only one roaming all around when the librarian was reading a picture book, and there were a couple of other toddlers to keep him company…… (or rather inspired by him!) While we wondered if we should wait for a year or two before Abhay could really focus on the story being read out, the people at the library assured us that more we bring him to such story times….the more he gains exposure to books and stories. So we kept at it and sure enough…..he began to look forward to the weekly family story time at the library. We have come a long way since board books or simple picture books and Abhay has begun to read on his own. But apart from the advanced early readers and emergent chapter books that he reads, we still continue to read to him every night. Of course, I try to find picture books that are slightly complex in their narrative or where the underlying humour is meant more for children aged five or six and above. But there are some books that are universally enjoyed by all kids ….whatever be their age or reading level and it feels unfair to deny Abhay that experience simply because he is supposedly too old for picture books!  So also the parents as reading aloud to your little one or not-so-little one at bedtime can be one of the most relaxing and therapeutic experiences at the end of day! Like all routine parenting tasks, my husband and I take turns to read to Abhay, and we are strict on who’s turn it is on a given day, but not because it’s only fair……but because we hate to miss an opportunity to read to our baby!

 Today being World-Read-aloud day, what a better way to dedicate this day than with a book by one of India’s most famous children’s writer Anushka Ravishankar.  The book titled “Excuses Excuses” is a story of a boy named, Neel, narrated in rhyming verse, like many of other books, one of which I co- incidentally happen to read on World Read aloud day last year! J A good part of the read-aloud experience is also about the book’s illustrations…..so not to forget the illustrator of this book Gabriel Manglou who’s combination of real life-like images of “Neel” side by side with imaginative illustrations make this book a sure treat! At the start of the week, Neel has it all planned out…..to be a good boy every day of the week. Monday, he’d be in time for school, on Tuesday, he’d obey every rule, Wednesday, he’d be a helpful son, on Thursday, he’d get all his homework done, on Friday, to be sociable and good, on Saturday, he’d do everything he should and finally on Sunday he decided to mend his ways, and then ……( in true Anushka’s Ravishankar’s style) he realized that he’d run out of days! J From this introduction….I could sense Abhay’s ears perk up….as it almost sounds like his story too (We even replaced Neel with Abhay while reading!). So is Neel able to achieve all what he plans ?? Is he successful? Read on as you find out how Neel has an amazing ability to come up with some of the most incredible excuses! Well, an excuse a day has Neel get away! J

 

That's a great idea!

One of our all time favourite children’s authors is Mo Willems, the author who gave us the hilarious Pigeon series, the delightful Knuffle Bunny series and who can forget the endearing adventures of Elephant and Piggie! So when the Hillsboro library’s picture book e-newsletter (I still subscribe to it!) came out with a recommendation of his latest release, I had to grab a copy. It’s a pity that books by Mo Willems are not easily available in India (like many other American publications) and so I was on a mad hunt for relatives or friends visiting the US or US based relatives visiting India!:-) I guess, all my relatives travelling to or from the US have learned it the hard way that even a courtesy offer to get something from the US is not only accepted without any hesitation but will almost immediately result in a package being delivered at their doorstep…a la Amazon! The package will most definitely contain nothing but books for Abhay and no package from the US is complete without a book from Mo Willems! J

 

Since today’s theme for the 30 books in 30 days challenge is Wordless Wednesday,  I read Mo Willems’ latest offering “That’s not a good idea”, a tribute to the era of silent movies. The book is illustrated and sequenced as if it were silent movie, with pictorial representations inter cut with pages appearing to be black and white dialogue cards. The story revolves around the big bad fox sighting a goose (or could be the other way around) and while hoping to get a sumptuous dinner out of the encounter, tries to befriend the goose into taking him to the woods. “That’s not a good idea” scream the audience of goslings, but the goose marches on to the lonely forest with her hungry escort. Seemingly oblivious to the apparent danger, the hunter and the hunted join together in preparing  soup for dinner. The suspense builds up as the Goslings’ warning “That’s not a good idea” turn from cautious to frantic to frenzied cries of fear! But there’s a twist in the tale at the end and that’s when you realize who was being warned!  Even though Abhay knows the ending….he keeps asking for an encore! This is an  edge of the seat thriller best meant to be read aloud to a group of our own little goslings….and that’s a great idea, by the way!  :-)

Sunday with Dr. Seuss!

Today being the birth anniversary of one of the most celebrated children’s authors of all times, Dr. Seuss, we decided to make it a Seussville Sunday on Onestoryaday! Frankly, Abhay has never taken to Dr. Seuss books like the other kids and I don’t know why. I guess one of our first Dr. Seuss books was the vintage “"And to think that I saw it on Mulberry street"”, a book that got even the library staff nostalgic as I checked it out of the library. Later, I had to read Dr. Seuss “"Happy Birthday to you"” on his sixth birthday, though we could hardly match up to what would have been his birthday celebration in Katroo! J When we flew back to India on “The Emirates”, all my worries of how to handle a then fidgety four year old in a 15 hour flight were put to rest as Abhay was gifted a nice little kit to keep him company and in that was a small little Dr. Seuss book! So amongst many of Dr. Seuss books we read…..this is the one book I remember the most!

So today we decided to revisit the same memories and had Abhay read with his eyes

shut!J  Like many other books of Dr, Seuss, this one  too in narrated in verse and highlights the fascinating world of reading and books.  “I can read with my eyes shut” is a book that Abhay enjoyed reading even today and couldn’t stop giggling when the ubiquitous character in most Dr. Seuss books ‘Cat in the hat’  throws light on the things one can read about if one opens one’s eyes – “You can read about anchors, and all about ants, you can read about ankles and crocodile pants”........complemented by hilarious illustrations! Of course…who can forget “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” I guess, one is never too old for Dr. Suess..isn’t it?? J

 

Going to the library!

Going to the library has been a part of our weekly routine ever since Abhay was little over two years old, while we were in the US back then. Be it attending the weekly family story time at the local library, or enrolling into the summer reading program,  or simply checking out his favorite books, going to the library was an activity Abhay was familiar with ever since he remembers! When we came back to India, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of libraries in Bangalore catering to children’s reading.  No doubt, we had our circulating libraries or the state sponsored city central libraries when growing up in India in the 90s. But if you’d wanted to look up a new release in fiction or non-fiction, your only option was to buy the book. Thankfully, things have changed now and Bangaloreans (of all ages) are spoilt for choices when it comes to reading options! So the best way to inculcate the habit of reading in your little one, is to take up a library membership and stop by the library and let your little one explore the world of books! As for us, in between my court appearances and client meetings, and my husband's commute to work,  we are always making quick stopovers at the libraries we are members of….. for our little bookworm at home!

On a side note, I am happy to share that Onestoryaday was featured in “The Hindu” on the occasion of the National Library week announced by the Indian Library Association and I thank Bhumika K and my readers for all the support.  As a belated tribute to the National Library week, I had Abhay read “Eena’s library book” a Children’s Book Trust publication by Ravina Gandhi. This is the story of Eena (who reminded us of our friend's daughter Eera!) and how she came to discover the world of books through the library. It was Saturday and Eena didn’t have to go to school and her mother asked her to accompany her to the market. Eena got ready and picked up her little shopping basket and set out to the market. On the way, the passed Mr. Ranik’s house which had a signboard saying “Doctor” which she read with some help from her mother. As they went further, Eena found that there were a few other signboards that she found difficult to read. But as she persisted, she got better at reading, much to her mother’s delight. She engrossed herself by reading  everything from the names of the grocery items to names of the buildings around the market area. Just as they were about to leave, Eena asked if they could get something to put in her basket and her mother takes her to a big building with the board that said “L-I-B-R-A-R-Y”. as they went inside, her mother introduced her to the lady at the desk and asked if Eena could borrow books from the library. As her mom filled out the application form, Eena was shown around the library and located a picture book that was apt for her reading level. Eena checked out the book with the due date stamped out and was asked to be careful with the book. Eena couldn’t wait to go home and read it. So from then on, Eena went shopping with her mother every Saturday, with her little shopping bag filled with books to be returned and borrowed from the library! So here’s hoping that the National Library week ushers in more readers like Eena!!:-)

Poetry for kids!

I had read in the recent issue of Books and more that children are natural with poetry and though they are exposed to catchy rhyming verses quite early in their childhood the form of nursery rhymes, the same trend does not continue as they grow up. Vaishali Shroff, the  writer laments that poetry seems to have gone out of the lives of children these days and emphasizes the importance of reading age appropriate poems to children. In introspection, I am not a great fan of poetry myself, partly because I am guilty of harboring the belief that that poems are profound and layered sometimes making the same a difficult read for us adults, let alone for the kids. I found myself able to relate much better to prose rather than the poetry prescribed for study at school or college.  Anyway, while it is true that the essence of a great poem lies in its underlying meaning, it is also true that all poems need not be deep and weighty, especially poems for the young. As mentioned, parents have been advised to read poems that children can easily relate to – poems which make them happy, make them laugh or cry, or poems that get them to think and reflect – in short poems that connect with them! As once they grow up with poetry, poetry grows on them too!:-)

Taking a cue from Vaishali Shroff, I looked up some works of poetry for the young, besides the recommendations featured in her article. I have delightful “Beastly tales from here and there” by Vikram Seth…which of course deserves another post altogether! Co-incidentally, last week was Roald Dahl’s birth anniversary and I happen to find at the British Library the hilarious “Revolting Rhymes” by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. This book features six classic tales recited in verse with a unique twist in the end. I particularly liked “Cinderalla” and the “Goldilocks and the three bears” retold from the perspective of the bears and Abhay’s favorite was the “The three little pigs” that has even Red Riding Hood making a cameo appearance!  It’s not just the magic of words in verses but the unconventional yet realistic treatment of the story’s ending that makes it a “must-read” for your little one on her way  to  discovering Roald Dahl! Take for instance, when the fairy Godmother meets Cinderalla, “Cindy” sounds just like a kid of today’s generation – she wants it all!

“She beat her fist against the wall,

And Shouted “Get me to the ball!”!

There is a Disco at the palace

The rest have gone and I am jalous

I want a dress, I want a coach!

And earrings and a diamond brooch!

And silver slippers, two of those!

And lovely nylon panty-hose!

Done up like that I’ll guarantee

The handsome prince will fall for me!

The fairy said “Hang on a tick!

She gave her wand a mighty flick”

With each line better than the previous one,  you know it’s nothing but the master story-teller’s sheer brilliance that translates into a whole lot of “LOL” and “ROFL” moments for you as  and your little one!  Roald Dahl’s poetic rendition of age old fairy tales has not only the kids but the parents enthralled….especially after a revolting day like I had today!J

Our very own Elephant and Piggie!

After a hectic day at work and jostling through peak hour traffic, there is nothing better than cuddling with your little one with a bedtime story….and what can be better than a book by Mo Willems….that is guaranteed to make you laugh!:-) All thanks to our friends from Portland whom we met today, our bedtime story proved to be a laugh riot with Mo Willem’s famous friends Elephant and Piggie.  In fact, Abhay happened to meet his best friend Suhas from Portland today and it may as well have been our very own Elephant and Piggie reunion across seven seas!

“We are in a Book” by Mo Willems needs no introduction and is a part of the famous Early Reader series that revolves around two friends – Elephant and Piggie. Unfortunately, this series is not readily available in India as it is in the West and so I had to have this one specially brought in from the US. So if you are travelling to the US, dont forget to pick up one of these gems that have been awarded the Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor.  Abhay loved it and managed to read this particular title much better than he read the previous book a couple of months ago. One day, Elephant suspects that there is someone looking at them. On a close examination, Piggie agrees with Elephant's  observation that there is indeed someone looking at them! As your little one guesses who might that be, the Elephant makes a wild guess as to whether that someone is a monster! But Piggie makes an informed guess – she concludes that it is a “Reader” who is reading them! That’s when the two friends realize that they are, after all in a book!  When Elephant can’t seem to contain his excitement that they are being read, Piggie seems to take it a step forward – he wants to make it an interactive book with reader being asked to read aloud! Piggie spells out the word ‘Banana’ and as your little one is coaxed into reading it aloud, the two friends cannot stop laughing! As your little one says “Banana” again, you turn the page to find both Elephant and Piggie rolling with laughter! As Piggie asks if the Elephant wants to take turns before the book ends, the Elephant looks flabbergasted at the prospect of the book coming to an end. Then Piggie comes up with an excellent idea to get the readers to keep on reading their book, all because they are in the book! So our very own Elephant and Piggie friends can proudly say “if not a book…we are in a blog’! :-)

Walk down memory lane!

One of the earliest book series my parents got me was the Disney’s Words Words series, a set of four books on "Words that Name Things", "Words that Do Things", "Words that Tell you about Things and Words that are Opposites". As a four year old in UKG (preschool in India), I was fascinated by the way in which Mickey mouse and his toon-town friends shed light on the words that name, describe and illustrate things around us in their own unique way. As I grew up, like a lot of my other stuff, those books were passed on to my younger cousins and eventually I do not know what became of them!:-) After I had Abhay, I tried to reclaim those books, but unfortunately discovered that finding those books was harder than tracing my own ancestry! By then, to my bad luck, my favorite books had earned the distinction of being out of print. So you can imagine my delight, when I chanced upon one of the books from the said series, “Words that Name Things” in a used books sale at the local library! Trust me, if your local library has a sale, don’t miss it, you never know what treasure you may find!

So today, Abhay picked up an old favorite of mine, a book that brought back sweet memories of my own childhood that seems like only yesterday! Walt Disney’s “Words That Name Things” is a wonderful book from my wonder years!  This book features names of places, objects and settings one often sees around with appropriate pictures to identify with. Predictably, Abhay’s favorite pages are Train ( Highlights the different types of engines/trains that will soon be on Abhay’s wish list) Clothes (showcasing an ideal wardrobe any kid would want to have), Bathtime (picture of a bath- tub prank played on the mommy duck that Abhay would love to recreate at home)! In addition to being a word book, this book also contains a number amusing games and puzzles to challenge your little ones. An ideal book for your toddler, preschooler or an early reader to enjoy and explore the world around them!

Just Books!

Abhay now is at an age where he is well aware of what books are meant for. The same could not be said about him a couple of years ago. Books have earlier been used as a headgear or a toy or its pages allowed Abhay an ample pleasure of being torn apart!! It was only when my dear friend bought him a couple of lift-a-flap books by Karen Katz that he realized its true value! We’ve never looked back since then. Thanks Rama!

Today I read a nice little book that can serve as an eye opener for innocent page-rippers -simply titled “The Wonderful Book” by Leonid Gore. Once upon a time, (as all kids begin their story narration this way), a rabbit came across a wonderful object. Clueless about what the object was meant for, he thought it could serve as cozy house for him until forcibly claimed by a bear who growls “That’s mine” !! ( He must have overheard those words in a play-date!!) The bear decides to wear it as a hat until it falls off as he munches on his snack. The hat looks like a picnic table for a family of mice making it a perfect spot to enjoy their dinner. At sunset, the house- turned-hat-turned-table now warms up as a sleeping bag for a tired fox! The following morning, a little boy bumps into this amazingly multi-tasking object and knows exactly what to make of it! He gathers all the animals around him who keenly listen on and agree that it is a wonderful book indeed! A wonderful way to introduce your little one to the wonderful world of books!