Title: Rattu & Poorie’s Adventures in History: Animals in Art
Author: Parvati Sharma
Illustrations: Meghna Menon
Publisher: Puffin India
Length: 98 pages
Format: Paperback, illustrated
Age: 7 years+
Genre: Historical Hiction
Rattu and Poorie are perfect Gen Alpha kids! Bored even when they are being entertained. Having a Gen Alpha kid at home, I felt like I was seeing my daughter through these two sisters.
The story begins with Rattu and Poorie going on a beach trip with their parents. But, like so many kids of this generation, they are already bored. Even a short drive seems to last forever! But there’s something special about these girls. Whenever they wish for something, it comes true. How I wish I had such powers to summon something out of thin air to keep my child entertained!
And just like that, an extremely majestic bull appears out of nowhere. But this isn’t just any bull. He has a splendid story to tell!
I was pleasantly surprised to come across a children’s book featuring the Indus Valley seals. I think this is what makes the book a rare treasure. I’ve been exploring Indian history and its antiquity lately, listening to podcasts and reading books by people who are questioning conventional narratives and bringing fresh perspectives of the past. So, coming across a children’s book that blends historical facts with fictional storytelling was an absolute delight. I was thoroughly thrilled to read this chapter!
What made it even more special was getting to share the little knowledge I had gathered with my daughter. To my surprise, she followed along and seemed genuinely interested in learning about a part of our past. There is something incredibly satisfying about being able to share your own discoveries with your child and see them enjoy the process too.
And the book doesn’t stop there! It has two more chapters, each with its own fascinating story.
The second chapter introduces us to the various Indian hounds and their incredible abilities. We had heard of a few dog breeds native to Tamil Nadu, but this chapter introduced us to other hunting hounds as well. Once again, the story is narrated by a character from the past, making the information much more engaging. The story of Kali the dog was particularly loved by my daughter. This chapter turned out to be another enriching learning experience for both of us.
The third chapter was another interesting revelation about Emperor Jahangir’s royal collection. When we think of a royal collection, we usually imagine precious gems, gold, paintings and other rare collectibles, don’t we? But did you know that Jahangir had a keen interest in collecting animals from around the world? And here’s the most surprising bit: a now-extinct dodo was part of his collection! This time, the story is narrated by the dodo itself. Isn’t that such a fascinating way to introduce children to history?
This book is packed with fun facts and interesting information, and it kept us glued to its pages. We even paused several times to explore things further through internet searches and YouTube videos. For me, that was the real beauty of the reading experience. One story led to another question, which led to another discovery. It became a little learning adventure for both of us.
And in the process, this book revealed a big secret to me, a mother of a Gen Alpha kid!
The one thing that can keep them from being bored is a good story.
Their brains seem to work differently from ours. We grew up looking out of car windows during long journeys, watching the world go by, daydreaming and simply enjoying the ride. For many children today, travel can feel like punishment. Idle time feels like being stuck with nothing to do. They seem to need constant stimulation, and keeping them entertained can be quite a task.
But perhaps a good story can do what we struggle to do. It can hold their attention, spark their curiosity and make them want to know more.
If your child already has a reading habit, consider yourself lucky! Books like these can help nurture that habit because a genuinely good story keeps them hooked. And if your child isn’t an independent reader yet, reading aloud together is a wonderful option. It keeps them away from screens for a while, gives you some lovely bonding time and, as a bonus, leaves them with new knowledge. A win-win, wouldn’t you say?
As for the book itself, the language is simple and easy to follow, and the length is just right for an independent reader. However, I would highly recommend reading it with your child, at least the first time around. There is so much scope to pause, ask questions, look things up and explore beyond the pages. That makes the experience far more enriching than simply finishing a book. Also the coloured illustrations add charm to the reading experience.
All in all, Rattu and Poorie’s Adventures in History is a must-read! It combines fun, imagination and history in a way that makes learning feel effortless. More importantly, it gives parents and children an opportunity to discover things together.
And honestly, isn’t that one of the best things a book can do?
If you enjoyed this review and would like be a part of Rattu & Poorie’s Adventures in History, do order the book from Amazon (kbc affiliate link),
CLICK & BUY NOW!Disclaimer: Sindhuja and her daughter are a part of the #kbcReviewerSquad and received this book as a review copy from the publisher via kbc.
