I am posting this on behalf of my 9.5 yr old daughter, Shranya Goel who discovered her love for reading during lockdown last year and her interest got a boost when we discovered the awesome fb group Kids Book Café, whose members are not only avid readers but warm enough to share their lovely recommendations. The reviews have been written by Shranya herself. I hope you enjoy reading them and get excited to order to few of them for your collection.
An inspiring book:
She Can You Can: The A-Z Book of Iconic Indian Women by Garima Kushwaha, Illustrated by Anastasia Damani – This book is about the stories of 26 Incredible Indian women who have conquered great heights. My personal favorite story is Arunima Sinha’s. She went on to climb the mighty Mount Everest! Did you know that she is an amputee?! So, If she can then you definitely can!!!!
I would recommend everyone to read this for some power packed motivation. 😊😊
A classic:
Mahabharata by Om Publications – The Mahabharata was a war fought for truth. This war took place between these cousins: the Pandavas and the Kauravas. As we all know, this war made history and is remembered till now. Unity is Strength is my key take away from this book and some great learnings from Lord Krishna too. As I am fascinated by our Epics, I have written a poem on this and you can read it here: “The Legend of Mahabharata in Verse“.
Short stories:
The Wish-Fulfilling Cow and Other Classic Indian Tales by Deepa Agarwal – This is a very informative book, and has classic stories from Panchatantra, Mahabharata, Ramayana, etc, which are still relevant and give us some moral values to keep us sane in these tough times. I like to read these wonderful stories and I am sure you will also find a lot of information about our fabulous India in the past.
An Informative book:
Knowledge Encyclopedia: Space!: The Universe as You’ve Never Seen it Before by DK Publications – 1….2….3 and the rocket is launched!!! In this book, not a single piece of information about our endless space is missing. It has information on interesting topics like How stars are formed? When the Sun was born, What are black holes?, etc. You see?, such type of information, given in an easy way is not even available on the internet. Read it and you will be smarter than Google! 😊
A graphic novel or a comic book:
Champak – This is the magazine which I am reading from past 2 years continuously and still I always look forward for the next issue with same enthusiasm. This magazine is a complete package of fun stories, comic strips, science experiments, activities, jokes, puzzles, and, you can even send your own write ups and drawings for getting published in magazine! Read this magazine for entertainment and learning!
A book that was gifted to you:
The Canterville Ghost (Usborne Young Reading) by Oscar Wilde, Illustrated by Alan Marks – Hooooooo Ha HaHaHaaaa!!! I am Sir Simon! This book is about a ghost, sir Simon and when the Otis family moves into their new house, Canterville, Sir Simon is thinking about ways to get rid of them. Strange things start happening in the house, like how there is always a blood stain in the drawing room, but to the Otis family’s dismay it’s always in different colors. Virginia, Mr. Otis’s daughter has decided to solve the mystery. Can you help her with this?
I received this book as prize from my school for my outstanding achievement in academics for class 1st, which is why it holds a special place in my heart.
A book that is also a movie / TV show :
Frozen – Sisters and Snowmen – Frozen, I am big fan of the animated movie series and the book. It’s a story of two adorable sisters Elsa and Anna. The former has magical powers while the latter is a charming, protective younger sister. It transports us to a magical space with a humor punch by dear Olaf and the love of siblings.
A book by an Indian Author:
Grandma’s Bag of Stories by Sudha Murty – Grandma’s bag of stories is a set of very nice stories, and while reading I felt that I am sitting in my grandma’s lap and enjoying listening to her stories. The language of the stories in the book is simple and easy to understand. Sudha Murty ma’am, the author is one of my favorite authors. The story I liked the most from this book is “Kaveri and the Thief”. Kaveri is a smart woman who tricks the thief again and again, and because of his foolishness he ends up in the forest. I suggest reading this book as there are more rib-tickling stories.
A book by your favorite author:
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read And Other Stories by Sudha Murty – This one has similarities to Grandma’s bag of stories in a way that both are written by my favorite author: Sudha Murty. You will find situations are related to real life and that’s what makes it interesting to read. What if the teacher gave you more marks than you deserve? What’s the importance of celebrating teacher’s day? Read this book to enjoy the spirit of reading!
A book with male protagonist:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake – Fasten your seat belts and let’s go into a world full of chocolate! Yohoooo!! With Willy Wonka and Charlie by our side, we are sure going to enjoy a lot. Willy Wonka, owner of Dreamy Chocolate Factory allows only 5 lucky children who got golden tickets, for a tour inside his chocolate factory. Charlie, our little hero is not greedy, unlike the other 4 children. For this he is rewarded by destiny, as the 4 greedy kids get lost in the factory by crazy machinery and inventions, while Willy Wonka hands the chocolate factory over to Charlie. To know more, let’s go on a yummilicious and chocolaticious tour with these 5 children.
A book by an author you have never read before:
The Very, Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for Kids by Anand Neelakantan, Illustrated by Subhadeep Roy & Shiladitya Bose – Can you imagine The Asuras (The demons) being naughty and cute at the same time? Well this book surely does convey that. This book shares stories about mischiefs of naughty, glutton, selfish and powerful asuras like Apti and Vapti, who are gluttons, and their parents kick them out of their house. It’s an interesting book and keeps the reader amused.
A nonfiction book/ Biography:
Kalpana Chawla by Amar Chitra Katha – I am a big fan of our very own space girl, Kalpana Chawla who was an astronaut and was born in Karnal. Her achievements include NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Congressional Space Medal Of Honor and the NASA Flight Medal. Kalpana Chawla was the first women astronaut of Indian origin to go to space. I secretly aspire to be an astronaut and I bet if you read her story you too will be motivated to start chasing your dreams. I read this book online so don’t have a physical copy.
A funny book:
Unlucky Chumki (Duckbill Hole Books) by Lesley D. Biswas – It’s a story about a girl named Chumki who gets scolded by everyone, all the time! Everyone says that she makes things go wrong by doing some magic. The poor girl has no friends. Her little brother comes to her rescue. Can her naughty brother, Aki’s plan save her from being labelled as unlucky and help her make friends? Intrigued? Read this book to find what happens next!
Book on environment:
The Magic & Mystery of Trees by Jen Green, illustrated by Claire McElfatrick – Trees are our backbone. They are the most important part of our ecosystem and when we get a beautiful book then who will refrain from reading it? Trees differ in shape, size and type, and they are classified as conifers or broad-leaved depending on the type of leaves they have. You get to know all the secrets of trees. So, open this book and embrace the magnificent world of trees.
Book on female protagonist:
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett – This is my favorite genre: mystery, and this book is the apple of my eye. The part I loved the most in the book was when Mary Lenox, the protagonist, finds the key and door to a secret garden. Mary has to go to her uncle at the Misselthwaite manor, when her parents succumb to cholera in India. She finds herself liking the moors of Yorkshire. But the palace is disturbed by a mysterious wailing. The beautiful gardens surrounding it are haunted by a mysterious and tragic past. Read the novel to know if there is something really magical about the moors of Yorkshire. This novel is the prefect combination of mystery, magic and love.
Mystery / adventure book:
The Mystery Of The Secret Hair Oil Formula by Asha Nehemiah – It’s a perfect combination of humor and mystery. I loved this book for its wacky and funny illustrations. Some thieves are trying to steal the formula for Malu Pati’s hair tonic, but Patti is a clever grandmother. She keeps hiding it at weird places. Once she had to go to Monoushpur to meet Chanchanachan and Mounababa, so she sets on a wild adventure along with her bossy granddaughter, lazy grandson and assistant Damu in Veerapande’s auto.
A sci-fi/ fantasy book:
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake – The story continues from where it left in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. When Willy Wonka’s great glass elevator goes too high into space, they discover a vast space hotel and that’s where the story starts. There are lots of twists and turns as Charlie and Willy Wonka encounter aliens as well in their elevator back on the earth, the US president gives Charlie and Willy Wonka an invite to the White House thinking that they are aliens. I was amused while reading this book and will surely recommend if you are a Roald Dahl fan.
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