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MY CAT COPIES ME Author and Illustrator: Yoon-duck Kwon Age group: 4-8 years This is one of those books in which the illustrations carry more weight than the text itself. The package might seem simple, superficially, but shrouded underneath are deeper messages that are crucial for growing children. Another significant attraction would be the fact that it can be a wonderful treat for cat lovers and cat loving or pet loving children! Let me move on and embark on the task of peeling off the layers of the charming tale, from my own perspective and based on some research that I did. The book opens up with an introductory note about the cat and the relationship the girl bears with the animal. In the girl's opinion, her cat is mostly independent except, when ignored, when she actually tries to imitate her!. The skin-deep impression is that of a girl declaring how her shy cat ends up copying her a lot. Snapshots of the cat and the girl entertaining themselves in merriment are what follow...

NEW CLOTHES FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY By Hyun - Joo Bae Age: 4-8 years This book is a celebration of the Korean culture and heritage, more specifically of the Korean Lunar New Year. I could say that or I could just say - it is a book about a little girl playing dress-up, Korean dress-up. Take it as you wish, but its a cheery book that every little girl will savor! In her plain white underclothes stands the little girl looking out the window on a cold winter morning. But its the first cold winter morning of a New Year! And what brings the most joy to her little world is her new crimson silk skirt and her chance to bask in it. The narrator demonstrates how carefully and delicately she adorns herself. She puts on her skirt, her embroidered socks, her rainbow jacket, her delicate headgear and a long list of fine accessories. But the subtle yet strong nuances are what make it so wonderful - the pause to admire at every stage, the crusade to tie the perfect bow, the minor adjustments to make ...

Author: Ken Rivard Art: Joe Weissmann Ages: 4-7 years This is yet another whimsical creation from Annick Press (also the publisher of Stephanie's ponytail reviewed earlier). The central idea in this anecdote is something most parents and school goers would instantly connect to - a tall tale from a playful little school boy, when put in a tight corner by his mother. The title of the book and the colorful front and back covers bearing a flood scene with wreckage indicating a school setting kindles the reader's curiosity. Gus is our hero, rather our soaking wet hero! Back from school and now under investigation by his speculative mother, finds the need to whip up a convincing explanation for his drenched attire. An adept narrator (or so he thinks!), sets the stage for an aquatic drama at school - "We were doing science and all this WATER came in from the hall........". He doesn't stop with that. And here is where the reader straps herself (or himself) to take a ...

Diwali: Kushiyon Ka Tyohaar Diwali: A Festival of Lights and Fun Written by Manisha Kumar & Monica Kumar Illustrated by Sona & Jacob This bilingual book on Diwali is from Meera Masi, a Bay Area based cross-cultural publishing house with a mission to pass on the heritage of India to immigrant children, through books and other products on Indian languages and culture. A warm introduction on the essence of Diwali on the opening page sets the stage for the ensuing colors and rhymes that bring to life Diwali for our children. "We all love Diwali, it's so much fun. The festival of lights has now begun." Simple verses like the above alternating with brightly hued pictures, both, of a family celebration is what this book is about. All the fundamentals of the festival are laid out. The act of wearing new clothes, cleaning and decorating our houses, greeting families and friends, making rangoli , offering puja , lighting diyas , bursting crackers and of course eating...

Saffron Tree brings to all its children "The Peace Book" by Todd Parr. The book cover says it all - The book does not scream "no war". Neither does it evangelically advocate non-violence. Instead it unleashes all the feel-good things for those unblemished minds that will be tomorrow's messengers of peace. Boys and girls of different color and culture joining hands is what we see as we enter - Peace is making new friends . More such thoughtful one-liners make up the rest of the book. While, I am tempted to reveal it all and give away the book, I will withhold myself and let you in on the fact that the book covers all that Gandhi essentially stood for - love, compassion, tolerance, coexistence and peace. Loaded with deeds of goodness like planting a tree or sharing a meal and sprinkled with pleasantly blissful things like watching it snow or wishing on a star, this book can touch little hearts in an amusing way. Strikingly colorful and typical of all of Todd's...

WHAT SHALL I MAKE? Story by Nandini Nayar Ilustrations by Proiti Roy Read alone: 6+ Read aloud: 3+ Simple and playful, two words that sum up yet another production from Tulika. Neeraj is a small boy, self-questioning what shall I make?, with a rotund piece of roti dough squeezed between his palms. His creative juices in full flow, he shapes the ductile dough to give birth to lively creatures. His mother joins the fun. A snake at first, then a mouse, anatomically close to perfection, with a pair of eyes, a body and a tail. Then a cat that soon morphs into a fierce lion. All seem realistic and fully animated in the creator's eyes. Neeraj is quick to deform the scary lion back into its initial state and start afresh with a small soft ball of dough. This time, he flattens it and generously rolls it into a neat circle. His mother then proceeds to toast it on the tava , completing the culinary procedure. The grand finale is when a round hot puffy chapati lands on his soft palms, read...

Regina's big mistake by Marissa Moss Every school goer, especially in the 4-8 age group, will be able to relate to the incident in this wonderful book by Marissa Moss, author and illustrator. Regina's big mistake, the title kindles interest - who is Regina , what was her mistake and why big ? The scene is an art class. Students are given stationery and asked to draw a jungle or a rain forest. Nervous, Regina draws a blank (pun unintended!). She sits there stumped, while her classmates are busy translating their ideas into art. The feeling of diffidence and the reluctance to try something, similar to what Regina goes through, is something that every child experiences at different junctures as part of school-going, be it art, writing or performing. Regina tries to draw a flower, makes a geometric mistake and destroys her paper in frustration. That's definitely not the end of the story. She is given another blank paper. Another opportunity to start afresh but not enough optim...