#498 - 21 Modaks For Ganesh Chaturthi

by Nandini Nayar and illustrated by Chandrima Chatterjee

“21 Modaks For Ganesh Chaturthi” by Nandini Nayar and illustrated by Chandrima Chatterjee. Published by AdiDev Press. An endearing story of how the birthday of God Ganesh is celebrated by a family.

The story starts off with Neeraj waking up his younger brother Nitin excitedly. After all it is God Ganesh’s birthday. It meant that their aai (mother) would be making Modaks. This made Nitin wake up right away and dash towards the kitchen. Sure enough their Aai had already started preparations for making Modaks.

The brothers were ready to feast on the delicious sweets and couldn’t just wait. Their aai had other plans for them. Firstly there was shopping to do with their baba (father) for the festival. Then they had to help decorate the house and get everything ready for the puja before they could think of savouring the modaks. They cannot resist guessing how many Modaks would they get to eat. It is fun and enjoyable for them to be involved in all the chores and preparations before getting to celebrate the birthday of God Ganesh. Read the delightful book and get to be a part of the festival celebration at the home of this endearing family.

The book is a visual stunner depicting the festive spirit in all it’s finery. It has been heartily savoured by my three year old niece as well as my nine year old son. My niece loved the book so much that she made me read it out to her several times :) She just couldn’t wait to turn the pages and see the Modaks being made. I am sure the book will appeal even more as she grows up. My son was happy to read about the way Neeraj and his family celebrated the birthday of his favourite God Ganesh. He enjoyed reading the Aarti song that has been given at the end of the book and the meaning translated in English too. The joy and excitement of celebrating a festival with family has been portrayed in a wonderful way. The customs and traditions of this much loved festival have been woven into the storyline masterfully.

Having celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi a couple of months ago, my son could very well relate to what was happening in the book while improving his understanding of some of the customs followed. He appreciated the boys choosing a brown Ganesh idol and being mindful of the environmental consequences. He is now eagerly looking to savouring some Modaks and is pestering me to follow the recipe given in the book at the end :D The one thing that I felt could have been done better is the format of the Aarti song. The readability is a bit difficult with the English transliteration of the original and the translation in English interspersed with each other. Instead, a side by side format may have worked better is what we felt. Overall a “MUST READ” that needs to be savoured by one and all.

Recommended Age

The book is apt for anyone aged 2 and above. Of course for the young ones, it will need to be read to them.

Where to buy from?

The publishers AdiDev Press here.

Disclaimer - We received this book from the publisher, AdiDev Press, for review. Thank you to Archana, from AdiDev Press, for sending across the book!