Category: Book Club

Book of the Week – The Magic Paintbrush

Posted on by sridevi

Julia Donaldson has mastered rhythmic storytelling for children. This book is yet another reading delight from her stable.

The Magic Paintbrush a rhyming version of the traditional Chinese story in which a child (in this case a girl called Shen) is given a magic paintbrush which will bring to life everything that she paints – provided she only paints things for the poor and needy. When the greedy Emperor hears of the magic brush he demands that Shen paint him a tree of golden coins, and when she refuses he flings her into prison. How Shen escapes the prison and continues to use the magic paintbrush for the needy forms the plot of the story.

As a die-hard fan of Julia Donaldson, I found the narrative to be a deviation from her regular style, which is usually infused with humor. Inspite of this, the plot is gripping, written in simple, captivating verse and the illustrations are very charming.

It is a great read-aloud book for children, and chances are, after a few reads, your child will start narrating it all on his own, thanks to the rhyme.

 

So pick up this book and make this the night-time read for your child today. It’s a journey to a world you’ll both love.

Book of the week – When I Grow Up

Posted on by amelioadmin

The best books for early readers are the ones that allow us to engage in the conversation from the book long after we’re done reading. Such books allow us to take off from the core idea of the book and drift into realms of imagination with our children. When I Grow Up is one such book.

The writing is simple and conversational, exactly the way you would overhear two kids speaking with each other. The illustrations are simple, colourful but highly evocative. Appu and Lola discuss what they want to be when they grow up. Lola, the older one, is the know-it-all and critiques the vivid imagination of Appu and his ambitions. But through the conversations, adults reading the story to children can question stereotypes and break those initial prejudices children just begin to form.

But through the conversations, adults reading the story to children can question stereotypes and break those initial prejudices children just begin to form about gender. It is also a lot of fun to indulge in some interesting dual career combinations – my daughter went on for days about becoming a “spycher” (a teacher who is also a spy) and a “momook” (a mom who is also a cook)!

A great book and most valuable when parents really continue the conversation beyond the book. Happy reading, and do share with us if you had any interesting observations from reading this book out to your child.