Everlasting Picture Books

Posted on March 13, 2011 by admin

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A tribute to Amar Chitra Katha Creator Anant Pai

A few days ago, the world experienced a sad loss – a legend who had touched millions of young lives, sparked their imagination, entered our homes and entertained, educated and enriched us and will continue to for generations to come, passed away. He was a man whose creation touches and inspires my 4 year old, and which will forever be among the favorite collections of many a child who is introduced to the enchanting world of Amar Chitra Katha.

Amar Chitra Katha Comics

We lost Shri Anant Pai, lovingly known as Uncle Pai, the man and legend behind Amar Chitra Katha on Feb 24 2011.

It’s not everyday that you associate comic books with education, rich vocabulary or early literacy. And not just anyone can pull off what this man and his comic book series managed to. If someone had said that comic books had the potential to rekindle interest in an ancient culture, its history, mythology and more, few would have believed it. Some would have scoffed at the idea. Or ignored it. And yet, book after book, page after vivid page, tale after fascinating tale – that’s exactly what Amar Chitra Katha comics manage to do. Uncle Pai believed that a child who was proud of his heritage and roots would grow up to be a confident citizen. ” A tree is only as strong as its roots,” was his strong belief and it is this vision that we see woven into every ACK book.

From the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata to the more intricate stories that they’re made up of, from the enthralling tales of the Dashavataras and stories of Shiva, Hanuman, Krishna to those of Indian freedom fighters, rulers and spiritual leaders such as Swami Vivekananda and Emperor Ashoka – Amar Chitra Katha spans the gamut of stalwarts, heroes and legends who shaped the country and the culture of its people.

To anyone new to Indian culture, heritage or history, a crash course will not be complete without including Amar Chitra Katha as required reading. For children, as young as 2, the books provide a stimulating introduction to India’s vibrant mythology. ACK comics are the easiest way to coax older, reluctant readers towards print.

As children, my brother and I devoured the comics come Sunday afternoons or summer vacations. They kept us company on 3-day long cross country train rides. I remember packing them up, tattered as they were, into an old trunk and hoisting it up into the attic just before my brother left home for college. Years of reading and re-reading hadn’t diluted our interest in them. Not for a moment did we contemplate discarding the priceless comics. The vivid illustrations and captivating dialogues continued to fascinate and enthrall us long after we had ‘outgrown’ them.

Picture Books From India

Any parent will tell you that there’s not much that will hold the attention of a pre-schooler for more than 30 minutes, unless a moving screen is involved. Today, as I watch my 4 ½ year old daughter turn the pages of an Amar Chitra Katha, deeply engrossed in the story, oblivious to happenings around her – I find myself thanking Mr. Pai for his wonderful gift and legacy. For when you see your child walking past the TV to reach for one of her Amar Chitra Katha comics to keep herself engaged for the next half hour or so, you know there’s something right about it.

Thank you, Amar Chitra Katha. Thank you, Shri Anant Pai. Your legacy lives on in the curious minds and eager hands of children around the world.

Award-winning books to read to your child

Posted on January 16, 2011 by admin

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If finding age-appropriate, vocabulary-enriching, imagination-sparking, attention-grabbing books to read to your child isn’t your cup of tea, there’s good news. For those of us with not enough time or talent to pick out the best books for our little ones, help comes in the form of children’s literature awards.

The American Library Association recently announced the youth media award winners – prominent among which are Newbery and Caldecott Medals, that recognize the authors and artists with ‘most distinguished contributions to American children’s books’. This year’s Newberry Medal winner is Clare Vanderpool, author of Moon over Manifest, while Philip and Erin Stead won the Caldecott Medal for A Sick Day for Amos McGee. I am yet to lay my hands on either – although I think the latter is what will be more age-appropriate for M. These are not the only awards in this category though – just the most well known. One look at the list of awards and past winners introduces you to many wonderful books, authors and artists you may or may not have come across earlier. I, for one, haven’t read many of these and didn’t even know about these awards until a few years ago when I began to hunt for good books to read to my baby. I guess, that may be true for most people who didn’t spend their childhood in America and who didn’t necessarily have access to these specific set of books over the years.

Now that I do have easy access to most of them online or via my local library or bookstore, I’m really excited to be discovering this whole new world of award-winning children’s books with M. I guess, in a way, it’s like revisiting childhood and making up for some of the experiences one may have missed out on. So, if you didn’t grow up reading Newberry and Caldecott winners (or, like me – hadn’t heard of them before), what are you waiting for? Now is your chance to explore a whole new world of children’s books handpicked for their creativity, rich vocabulary, artistic excellence, originality and their potential to spark imagination. I know I could definitely use a generous dose of those…and if it means hours of reading to my daughter – why, that’s win-win-win all the way!

Regardless of whether or not you get to devour these award-winners any time soon, at least, now you know that there’s an easy answer to the question – what should I read to my child?

Happy Birthday to The Very Busy Spider!

Posted on March 25, 2010 by admin

The Very Busy Spider Turns 25

Did you know that our very busy friend celebrated her birthday this week?

It’s a sheer coincidence that M and I picked up several of Eric Carle’s books from the library yesterday. Looks like this is going to be Eric Carle week at our home. The first book that caught my eye, for some reason, was Draw Me a Star. I hadn’t read this one before and as it usually happens with his books, one glance was all it took to make both of us want to start reading it right away. After that, of course, you just have to take it home to enjoy some more. There’s a fascinating story behind this book and it comes with directions to draw a star – a beautiful book and interactive experience to share with your child. Definitely check it out if you haven’t already.

Anyway, as I cuddled up with M in the library’s children’s section to read the book, I pointed to the author’s name, and asked her, “Have we read any other books by Eric Carle?” And, without blinking, she said, “The Very Busy Spider”!! (Don’t you just love it when kids learn to make connections and associations and remember the things you hope they will?)

Happy Birthday to The Very Busy Spider

I just realized that The Very Busy Spider’s 25th birthday just went by. So, I’m thinking of ways to celebrate with M this weekend. Here’s what I’ve thought of so far for our Spider party:
* Read The Very Busy Spider together! (Like most kids her age, she loves to say the line ” The spider didn’t answer. She was very busy spinning her web.” on each page)
* Watch a video of The Very Busy Spider.
* Invite friends and get the kids to act out the different parts – taking turns being the spider. (Or volunteer to help organize the play at daycare)
* Do spider crafts and play games. 1)Use yarn and masking tape to make a spider on the floor and ask kids to walk around it without touching the Spider. The one who touches the spider first is out of the game.
2) Make paper spiders and hang them from the ceiling, under tables, chairs and shelves. Whoever collects the most spiders wins.
3) Children take turns being the “Spider”. The Spider pretends to spin a web and must not talk or get distracted no matter what the other kids do. The others, of course, try to provoke, make jokes, ask questions and try different ways to distract the “Spider”. When she gives in, she’s out of the game.
* Sing Eensy Weensy Spider and other spider songs.

The Very Busy Spider, with the characteristic, simple, brilliant and childlike quality of Eric Carle’s books leaves us smiling…but not before delivering its message quietly and effectively.

In Eric Carle’s words, “Despite the many diversions in life, we must do our work!”

So, a very Happy Birthday to you dear Spider. May you enjoy many, many more busy years bringing smiles to countless more children. And may we continue to learn from you the important lessons of goal setting, focus and tireless perseverance.

Turning Readers into Writers – Parenting Lessons From a Book Launch

Posted on March 14, 2010 by admin

About Celebrating Our Children’s Accomplishments

I read about this 8-year old’s first Book Launch and just had to share it. Just another endearing example to show that parents and other grown-ups in a child’s life have a HUGE role to play when it comes to shaping the child’s attitudes, beliefs and personality. I believe that nurture has the power to trump nature in dire circumstances. But in most cases, nurture complements the gifts nature has endowed on a child.

Kiruba’s daughter Krithya is probably a regular 8-year old – bright, loveable, talented, funny, curious and full of life. But unlike most of her peers, Krithya just launched her first book – The Untold Story of the Rabbit and Tortoise.

Now, there’s nothing unusual about an 8-year old writing a story. (Not to take away from Krithya’s talents and efforts – I’m sure she’s an amazing young lady.) But, considering how fertile children’s imaginations are and how they constantly feed their curiosity, it’s hardly a surprise that kids have the ability to weave fascinating and entertaining tales that could give best-selling authors a run for their money. But what’s remarkable about this story is how the little girl’s parents go out of their way to encourage her and give wings to her dreams.

Kiruba is considered one of India’s top bloggers. He plays a key role in organizing blogging and social media events, entrepreneur’s meet-ups and bringing people and aid together for disaster relief measures. So organizing a book launch was probably a piece of cake. But the fact that he takes his 8-year old’s book this seriously is what makes the difference. The takeaway from this story is how special and important he and his wife have made their daughter feel on the occasion of the ‘launch’ of her first book.

There are a couple of important lessons in this story for all parents -

Don’t disregard imagination.
We all probably discard hundreds of worksheets, school assignments, pencil drawings and coloring books at the end of every year when we clean out our kids’ rooms in preparation for the next school year. I bet there is at least one piece in there that deserves to live and to take on a form that can be shared with the world – a story, a drawing, a doodle, a verse, a joke…if we only paid a little more attention to our kids’ creations.

Make a big deal out of kids’ efforts.
Krithya’s parents didn’t have to get the story published. They could have just let it languish in some old corner of their house and shown it to interested family members. They could have stuck it on their refrigerator for guests and relatives to see. But they chose to do more. They gave her story a form and shape for the world to enjoy, in the process encouraging their daughter(and her little sister) to value imagination and ideas. By publishing her book and by making a big deal out of her book launch, they showed her how important her thoughts, words and actions were. A bunch of grown-ups showing up to celebrate an 8-year old’s first book is a terrific way to validate her achievement, to boost her confidence in her abilities and to encourage her to put her sincerest efforts into all her work.

In this day of self-publishing, getting your child’s book published requires almost no effort. But not many of us decide to go through even the simple steps involved. Just getting the book self-published in itself would be a big deal for a child. But, this story has shown us that it’s lot more fun and not too difficult to take it just a step further. Why not hold an event to celebrate your child’s wonderful creation? And invite your child’s classmates, friends and role models( no harm in trying even if they’re celebrities!) to the event and having a party in honor of your child’s imagination and efforts. The principle can be applied to pretty much any form of art or expression. Regardless of your child’s interests, finding a way to applaud the efforts of your budding artist, musician, writer, inventor, geologist, astronomer, teacher or whatever it is your child is interested in, and to let him share it with the world is a fantastic way to sustain his passion. I imagine it also serves as tremendous motivation to him and his friends.

Many Congratulations to Krithya and to kids everywhere – thank you for keeping imagination, curiosity, humor and playfulness alive in our world. And to Kiruba – thanks for reminding us how our little( and not so little) gestures help kids stay that way.

I hope to get my hands on a copy for my daughter soon!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Posted on February 23, 2010 by admin

Dr. Seuss turns 106! How will you celebrate?

March 2nd marks the birthday of one of America’s, and perhaps the world’s, most beloved and charming children’s authors who has captured our hearts with his quirky writing and clever tales for decades.

Whenever I read his books with my daughter, I am reminded that sometimes, you need no rhyme or reason to enjoy what you’re reading. (Well, maybe some rhyme does help. Especially since we’re talking about his books!) But here’s the thing – it doesn’t always have to make sense. Or feel right. Or adhere to some invisible writing standard. The bottom line is if you’re having fun reading to your kid, you’re definitely doing something right.

And the man who made this experience possible for so many of us is Dr. Seuss.

What are your children’s Dr. Seuss favorites?
My daughter’s favorite lines from his books are “Not one of them is like another. Don’t ask us why. Go ask your mother” and “Why do I like to hop, hop, hop? I do not know. Go ask your Pop” from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. No matter how many times we read the book, I can be 95.379% sure that when we come to that verse, she will burst into giggles! At least for now. I’m sure, every family and child who has ever read his books has a favorite Dr. Seuss book, verse or story. I’d love to know what yours are!

Read Across America – what the good Doctor would have prescribed!
Could there be a more appropriate day to celebrate Read Across America day than on Dr. Seuss’s birthday? Which is exactly what the National Education Alliance (NEA) has been doing since 1998. Regardless of whether you read to your kids everyday or sporadically or haven’t started yet, this is a day to motivate kids and parents across America to start reading. Together. To each other. With one another. Or independently. A day to honor and encourage reading.

Your role in reading across America
Check out NEA’s Read Across America page for details of activities around the country and how you can get involved. From just committing to read to your child at least for a few minutes to volunteering at the local library or supporting events at a book store – it turns out there’s a lot you can do in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

And while you’re at it, check out some of the free events happening in and around your town to wish Dr. Seuss a Happy Birthday!

Birthday parties your kids don’t want to miss. No cake, but lots of goodies!

Where: Target stores in your city
When: Saturday, February 27, 9 to 11 a.m.
What: *Special reading of Oh, The Places You’ll Go!, *Free Dr. Seuss-inspired games and activities *Exclusive Dr. Seuss giveaways

Where:Lakeshore Learning store in your city
When: Saturday, February 27, 11 am to 3 pm
What: * Storytime every hour * Kids’ crafts * Games * Face painting

Remember, it’s all free.

And when you’re back from these parties, don’t forget to invite your children’s friends, their siblings and parents for your very own
Dr. Seuss reading party at home!
*Let everyone bring along a favorite book or books and take turns reading aloud.
*Choose from the many, many printable Dr Seuss activities, coloring sheets, puzzles and games available online to keep everyone happily engaged for a while.
* Make up some of your own Dr Seuss games -pinning the hat on the cat, Dr. Seuss says instead of Simon says come to mind at this instant. I’m sure with a little more thought, you’ll come up with waaay better ideas. (Please share them with me!)
* Conduct a Dr Seuss books fun quiz…write down lines from his books on small pieces of paper, fold them up and throw them into a jar. Take turns picking out a line and guessing which book the line is from. Even older kids will find this intriguing.

The perfect time to spread the love….of reading!
If you’ve been thinking about volunteering your time towards reading or literacy programs, can you think of a better time to start?! Why not get in touch with Reach Out and Read, Everybody Wins! or your local library and fill in a volunteer application on Read Across America day?

Through his legacy of charming children’sbooks, the clever Doctor has made it impossible to forget him or his birthday even when he’s not around. I can’t help but wonder if he knew the places he’d go!

What are some of your favorite Dr. Seuss book moments?

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