Colour Colour Kamini

Hey! I made it to the prestigious Saffron Tree blog. Thanks Praba for giving me an opportunity.

This review is also cross posted at my blog here.

We've become members of a wonderful children's book library and one of our favorite activities is to head there and pick books that we can enjoy. I am so grateful that Poppin shares my passion for books and has to be dragged back home after our visits.

One such book we are reading now and we both love is Colour Colour Kamini by Radhika Chadda, illustrated by Priya Kurian (Tulika Publishers)

This book is set in the jungle and is the story of Kamini, the chameleon. The story begins with Kamini practicing colour matching (with her surroundings) along with her friends (whose names all start with K!) under the tutelage of Kapila Aunty, an older chameleon.

Unfortunately for Kamini, unlike her peers, she can never get the colours right. Instead she gets very excited and starts to flash colours. She changes from Red to Green to Indigo to Silver..hence the name Colour Colour Kamini.

She is mighty frustrated by this, because she knows she can match colours very well when she's alone, but she always fails when she's with Kapila aunty, simply because she gets too excited. And so, she confides her problems to her best friend Bahadur the elephant.

How Bahadur uses this quality in Kamini to solve the problem of the teenage elephants in the jungle forms the rest of the story.

Since my almost four year old daughter, Poppin tends to clam up in public, I'm always looking out for stories that work that angle. Yet, I'm loathe to read books that tackle the problem directly (such as books on shy children etc), because I don't want her to become overly conscious of it and clam up further. Neither do I want her to feel that there is something wrong with her.

This book is great because it sends two messages to her (1) There are people who can do things well in private but fail in public simply because they are too excited/nervous. (2) Even an apparent defect can be used in a way that makes it seem like a talent!

What I love about the book apart from the message is the artwork. Everyone who reads children's books knows that Tulika books are great with the illustrations. The drawings and the colours are so vibrant and therefore automatically interest the child.

I also loved the colloquial language, 'colour-colour', 'colour matching', 'Akka/Anna', 'Aunty'. Very close to home. They also have this book in Kannada, so now that will be our next read!

Recommended reading aloud: 3 years +

Read alone: 6 years +

Posted by Poppy of Babies Anonymous

Three Pigs

Imagine if the reader can jump into the book and change the contents of the book or imagine if the characters in the book decide that they had enough of their daily routine pages and decide to jump out of the book and join us in our life or leave us out their lives. They probably would; all that is needed is a wee bit of imagination.

David Weisner, the super star of picture book illustrations, decides to take us in one such journey - a journey where the characters in the book decide that they do not like the way the story is going along and decide to make some changes. Well, is it hard to figure out what I am talking about? If so, rush to dwell into the book called The Three Pigs.

Let me warn you - this is not one of David Weisner's other books where it is understandable the first time one looks at it. If one expected that the book would be similar to his other great classics like Free Fall, Sector 7, Tuesday or Flotsam, one would be hugely disappointed. This is not on your face imagination unleashed on the pages. This book is a little more subtler and teases you to make some assumptions to comprehend the book fully. 

First time, we saw the book cover at the library, Sooraj shouted - "Is this is the continuation of the books where pigs started to fly?".  He remembered Tuesday, where at the last page of that book, the pigs start flying. I think there are quite a few references to some of his other books. The dragon in the book seems to be similar to one of his earlier books called Loathsome Dragon.

One could also notice some of the pages that look similar to his book - Free Fall.  

The most surprising part is the reaction from my kids after we read through the book. Shraddha wants me to read this book atleast twice a day and Sooraj surprisingly also showed a lot more of interest in this David Weisner book compared to Weisner's other ones. I do not plan to write about the story or the content as it would take away the wonder.  It might be a bit like reading the last page of a mystery book first. It would suffice to say - "Read it with an open mind and be ready to let your imagination fly".  

I have read it so many times with my kids that I have grown into loving it. My initial reaction "Huh!" has slowly changed to "Wow!".  Be patient and it is a rewarding book. 

Crow Boy

In one of the recent movies that I watched, Delhi-6, there is a simpleton called Gobar that every one likes to make fun of. He is always presented with a Rs.10/- note on one hand and a 2 one rupee coins on the other hand. They ask him to pick up one of them. He always picks up the 2 one Rupee coins. Every one has a great laugh and say that is why he is called Gobar. At the end of the movie, when the same scene repeats again; this time Gobar takes the 2 one rupee coins as always and says - "If I had picked up the Rs.10/- note long back, you guys would have never had any fun". He had continued the drama to keep the other folks happy. Makes one wonder who was the simpleton?

It is a wonder how easy and funny it is to make fun of people who are different. Children usually can be merciless with a child who is different; but, we adults are also not too far away. We do not make fun at the face of folks who are different; but snigger away in the recesses of our minds and souls. Irrespective of umpteen examples where we have seen that the people who are different are the ones who make startling discoveries, give us great works of art and beauty and make us see the world differently - we continue to be indifferent or hostile to them.

Crow Boy is one such story where the kids of school in a Japanese village make fun of a short-boy and names him Chibi(short one). No one knows him well and he is not one of the folks who live near by. He walks alone from far away mountains every day to school. He attends the school diligently, but no one makes friends with him. He is always left alone to his own machinations during the intervals and lunch breaks. No one plays with him and continues to be taunted every day of his school life for 6 years. The author's single line in a page says it all - "He is always at the end of the line, always at the foot of the class, a forlorn little tag-along".

A tag-along whom every one, including the teachers, at the best ignore or taunt with names like slowpoke and stupid. But, unknown to every one, Chibi is busy finding his own way to understand the world around him. He hears many different sounds, he finds a lot of interest in watching insects that most of the kids would run away from. He finds variety of different things interesting - the class which teaches a given list of subjects is just not for him.

In the last grade of the school, in walks in a new teacher called Mr. Isobe. He is himself a bit different and regularly takes his class to a hill top behind the school. Here is where the rest of the kids are clueless and Chibi rises to the occasion; he knows about all the places where wild fruits grow, knows more about farming than anyone put together and he seems to talk with the crows. At the end of last year, Mr. Isobe makes Chibi appear on the stage for a talent show and every one hoots and jeers - "What can this stupid do?". Chibi starts imitating the various sounds of the crows. He imitates a newly hatched crow, a mother crow, father crow, cries of the crows when they are happy, sad and their cries in the morning and evenings. Every one is amazed that there could so many varieties in a simple crow call. Mr. Isobe then explains how Chibi learned all about the crow calls and various other information that he has at his disposal.

It is a fine ending for a rather sad story in the beginning. Taro Yashima, the author, thanks a real person called Takeo Isonaga, who appears in this story as a teacher called Isobe.

The story's emphasis is on the fact that the teacher can play a great role in moulding a kid; or making others kids aware of the talents present in each and every one of them. The other teachers were just like the majority of the kids and considered that Chibi was worthless and he had to be put up with for a period of 6 years. But, one teacher's belief could bring about a change in the school and make a kid happy.

A great story. The book was published in 1965 and won the Caldecott Honor that year. Taro Yashima's illustrations in water colours are touching and brings out the emotions in the page.

A great book to illustrate the fact to the kids that it is alright to be different.

When Pigasso Met Mootisse

When Pigasso Met Mootisse
written and illustrated by Nina Laden

There once was a pig named Pigasso. While other piglets rolled in the mud and played games, Pigasso painted. He painted anything and everything, and in a most unusual way.

At the same time, there once was a young bull named Mootisse... And he painted big, bold, bright pictures.

With a spot-on introduction like that with interesting word play accompanied by brilliant illustrations, this book became an instant hit with me when I first read it to Ana a couple of years ago. Being a novice art enthusiast, it took me a while to catch on to the visual pun Laden has presented as Pigasso's and Mootisse's works, showcasing their unique styles. (Like, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Picasso and The Dance by Matisse)

This book has an interesting approach to introduce the life and works of two well-known modern artists (Picasso and Matisse), whose unconventional styles took the art world by surprise during their times, via two characters that might appeal to children more readily -viz., a pig named Pigasso and a bull named Mootisse.

As each of these two artists gain reputation and fame for their peerless works, they decide to flee the spotlight and end up as neighbors. Now, being headstrong and self-absorbed, what starts out as genial camaraderie between these two neighbors soon explodes into downright hostility forcing them to put up a fence down the middle of the road to shut each other out. After a while, they start missing each other and step down from their pedestals to look at each other's art objectively. This helps them appreciate the relative merits of their respective style and vision.

However, being naturally pig-headed and bull-headed, neither artist knew how to apologize to the other. So they did what they do best. They let their paint brushes do the talking.

They each work fervently on their side of the fence until the quietness signaled the completion of their pieces. Curiosity getting the better of them, they pop over to view the other's work simultaneously and then...

...silence was broken as the two artists began laughing at their amazing work of heart.

They take down the fence and start sharing and appreciating their differences.

The last couple of pages present the true story of Picasso and Matisse, upon which this book is based, wherein we learn how Picasso and Matisse met at Gertrude Stein's party in 1906 and became friends, even trading paintings initially, until the world of art somehow made them rivals and competitors.

Over the last couple of years, this book has appealed to Ana more and more; and now, at four, she is beginning to get some of it as best as her tender mind can gather. As she gets older, I am sure this book will continue to offer more and acquire quite a special place in her bookshelf. It is a wonderful read-aloud book for ages 4 through 8, and for read alone ages 8+. Even though the play on words and pictures seem more geared towards older kids (aka "grown-ups"), the vibrant colors and unusual illustrations could appeal to the young mind, especially if the story is "retold" in kid-friendly way (I am guilty of this... sometimes it is nicer to bring it down a level to make it friendly, so, I read it with the words Ana is familiar with at her age).

Amulet

Many months back, I bought a few books by the artist Kazu Kibuishi. I enjoyed them all and here is a review on one of these comics.

Amulet is a comic book written for kids. It is a story similar to Spiderwick Chronicles at least on the outside. Navin and Emily lose their father due to a car accident. The kids move with their mother to an old house, in the middle of nowhere, belonging to the kids grandparents. It is a eerie house - the images in the book remind me again of the movie Spiderwick Chronicles(one of the better movies in my opinion of 2008). The house was earlier inhabited by their Grandpa Silas, an eccentric person who made puzzles that looked more like machines.

Early in the book, there is a conversation between Emily and her mother, which probably is the main underlying theme of the book. Emily does not understand why she has to go to a new school and cannot learn her own like her Grandpa Silas. The mother replies back - "Grandpa was an eccentric. Just trust me Emily. It is better to lead a normal life like everyone else".

There is definitely something weird going on in the house. Although, the kids can feel something odd, they are not able to pin down that feeling. There is always something slithering away in the corner - disappearing before one looks that way. Emily and Navin discover an amulet in the house and Emily decides to wear it. Later that night, they hear a weird noise and mother goes to investigate the noise in the basement. She is soon abducted by a multi-tentacled monster. This is when the thrilling chase starts. Emily and Navin try to save their mother and face a series of adventures - where they are assisted by some quirky robots. The amulet has great powers and she needs to learn how to use it. One can almost hear Spider man saying in the background - "With great power comes greater responsibility".

Amulet is the first part of the book and I am itching to get my hands on the next one whenever it is released. I read about this book on internet and brought it from Amazon UK. A few weeks after I bought the book, we visited Landmark and found that they were selling this nice book for Rs.250/-. Oh well! I could have saved a few pounds. Nevertheless, I am glad I bought this book.

A great book to share and read with your kids. My son, Sooraj enjoyed it, but not very much. He never showed the same amount of excitement as much as I did!

The other books that I bought by this author include Flight Volume 3 and Flight Explorer Volume 1. I will blog about these other wonderful books later.

Pete & Pickles by Berkeley Breathed

Pete & Pickles
written and illustrated by Berkeley Breathed
Ages 4-8


Pete & Pickles is a charming tale about Pete the perfectly predictable pig and Pickles the highly imaginative Bohemian elephant.

Pete, a lonesome widower, likes his orderly life - grieving his wife, getting nightmares out of the way on a stormy night, and doing nothing unpredictable to upset his carefully cultivated routine of a humdrum life.

One stormy night, Pickles enters his life (and house) in a desperate attempt to escape the circus. When the circus clown comes looking, Pete rats out Pickles who is frantically (and comically) trying to hide her massive self under the couch. However, to Pete's surprise, as Pickles is being led away she flashes a smile. This puzzles Pete, naturally.

And, when he is disinfecting (oh yes, he is not just cleaning) his room the next day, he notices the dandelions that none other than Pickles could have left behind. Ridiculous, he mutters. Nevertheless, he takes a longer walk that evening and finds himself amidst the circus tents.

Pete looks in to see Pickles sitting in a very dark corner of a very dark tent wearing a very locked chain.

Pete suddenly, inexplicably, finds himself reaching for the key.

TEA was on my schedule today! NOT elephants! whispers Pete as he helps Pickles escape, not quite knowing why.

Thus begins the germination of the tiny little seed of friendship between these two polar personalities.

Pickles takes Pete swan-diving off Niagra Falls. (Sort of). They sled down the Matterhorn in Switzerland. (Sort of). After brunch at Tahiti and Paris, they glide on the lazy canals of Venice. Just as Pete begins to enjoy the wild ride, Pickles apparently goes a bit too far.

IT'S TIME YOU PROBABLY LEFT! yells Pete.

What happens next is an unlikely event that makes Pete realize what his life would be without Pickles and he makes amends in a most touching way.

Berkeley Breathed, Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, relates on the back flap that his inspiration for the odd couple came to him some years ago from a crayon sketch his daughter (then five) left behind at a safari-themed restaurant. Intrigued by the sketch, he asked his daughter why the elephant was putting flowers on the pig's head. The pig is sad, she said. Why?    Because he is lonely, Dad. Then she leaned in and whispered But he doesn't know it.

That is quite a profound statement, and sketch, for a five year old... Sophie must be quite a talented kid young lady.

The digital artwork is arresting, even hilarious at times, especially where Pickles is doing a little tai chi one morning.

It is a wonderfully well-written book with superb illustrations and a touching tale. However, I am inclined to think that it is more suited for older kids and adults as the presentation is somewhat mature and complex and can be easily lost on very young kids. Each child is different, evidently, so, I would suggest that parents read it first before making a decision to present it to their kids. Ana is not bothered by Pete's nightmare and she zooms in on silly Pickles' antics and her clothes and hat and scarf and all the minutiae that never escape some little girls.

Not much unlike A Visitor for Bear, Pete & Pickles shows us the possibility of enriching our lives if only we are willing to step out of our self-imposed confinement and comfort-zone.

Best Friends, for EARTH DAY

Its EARTH DAY today everyone! As always it calls for a celebration here at Saffron tree! And what better way to do it than through a good book? That is why I have here with me BEST FRIENDS, written by Nina Sabnani; a neat blingual production from Tulika Publishers, India. No contemplation preceded the choice of this book. And it cannot be more befitting for today - the celebration of a little girl's friendship with a tree.

We are introduced to little Tamanna playing in the garden. We see her talking and sharing stories from her school and home to the big tall beautiful Kuchi. The sounds of nature had led her to believe, when she was a baby, that the tree actually spoke. Shhhuunnn! Muuuunnnn! was the language her companion spoke, she thought, and thus a friendship was born. However, her chatty friendship becomes a subject of ridicule and mockery amongst her human friends and that prods her to rethink her relationship. Pragmatism wins and her delusion ends.

Years roll by and we see her reading a book to her daughter. Shhhuunnn! Muuuunnnn! Something beckons her. Running out into the garden she sees a man with an axe. Stop! Don't touch Kuchi! screams the woman, our Tamanna. The closing image is that of a little girl in a swing suspended from one of Kuchi's branches. The friendship is passed on.

I turn the book and read "Based on a real friendship between Nina Sabnani's niece and a tree....". Deeply touched.

The author is also the illustrator. The text is oddly simple and the reasoning for this would be its ability to support multiple Indian languages. But the profound thoughts that the simple text can transmit impresses me. Trees, like water, symbolize our giving earth in its (her) full glory. Irrespective of whether we choose to talk about deforestation or recycling or about simply closing the pipe while brushing, amongst us and to our kids, the importance of our environment, the generosity of nature and the beauty of our home, the earth stands. Happy Earth Day!

Easter by Gail Gibbons

Easter
by Gail Gibbons
Ages : 5-8

It was in about.com that I came across a list of recommended books for Easter, and picked this one with the selfsame title, by Gail Gibbons. I was very curious to see how the subject of Jesus' crucifixion and subsequent resurrection would be dealt with from the pov of a young child, and I am pleased with what we saw and read. Winkie has been asking me all week what Easter is all about and I've been putting off the explanation till the time we could read about it. Last night, it happened. And it was a spellbinding 15 minutes. He remembered Jesus from our story books from Christmas last year, and was very intrigued as to why He had so many enemies. He was fascinated when I told him about some of the miracles He had performed and his downcast face, with a 100 questions written on it, was enough proof of the effect of the pages on the crucifixion. And just when he thought that was it, we turned the page over and were greeted with the happy, joyous account of the resurrection. That really was the epitome of the book for him. Overnight he has become familiar with phrases like Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. And suddenly, everyday of this Holy Week becomes more significant to him as he relates it to a point in the story of the last few days of Jesus.

However, the book doesn't just stop with Christ's story. It moves on to tell us how Easter is celebrated around the world, what were its origins (the word Eoster), what is the significance of eggs and the egg hunts which are so popular today and so on. In all, there is a wealth of information, packed into a very reader friendly format, and I stood as much to gain from it, as my son. The world has a maddening pace all its own, and its wonderful to have a week like this to connect to a part of history that is so ancient and mysterious and deep and joyous and sorrowful, and see yourself as part of a whole, even at the level of a child.

Wishing all you readers a very Happy Easter! May hope resurrect in our hearts and light the path to the road ahead!

LookyBook closes

Sad to hear that Lookybook - that wonderful service for watching the children's books online is no longer available. All our earlier links to Lookybook still seem to be working fine though.

Thank you, LookyBook. It was great till it lasted.

World Storytelling Day

Today is World Storytelling Day. Each year has a theme around which the day is celebrated. This year, it is Neighbors. Wikipedia has more information about the history of the day itself, and you can find it here.

In a country like India, a land known for its tales and fables, story-telling is a tradition handed down from one generation to another. And probably, there is no need for a day marked especially for story-telling. Nevertheless, reading and access to books is certainly a dream that's far from reality for many children in India.

Thanks to the work of non-profits such as Pratham Books in creating awareness about reading and books, children growing up all across India have relatively easier access to good quality, yet inexpensive children's books in their schools and neighborhoods these days. Pratham (an imprint of Read India Books) celebrated the day by sharing three heartwarming stories with its readers - My Friends, Chuskit Goes to School, and City of Stories. An article about the stories and the significance of the day is featured here on Pratham's blog.

On an equally interesting note, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a classic children's book by Eric Carle was published on this very same day, forty years ago in 1969. We are so glad we got a chance to cocoon with the Caterpillar here on Saffron Tree. We all know Eric Carle's books are a classic. With a timeless and global appeal, his stories never cease to capture the imaginations of millions of children worldwide.(On a personal note, I was pleasantly surprised this morning to notice that even Google seems to be in love with the caterpillar and his favorite foods! :-))

Storytelling Day or not, let's continue to spread the joy of reading and keep alive the tradition of story-telling in our lives and our children's every single day.