#600 - Little Indians
by Pika Nani and illustrated by Shreya Mehta
“Little Indians” by Pika Nani and illustrated by Shreya Mehta. Published by Tulika. A delightful collection of interesting stories featuring children from different parts of India.
India is made up of diverse regions and communities which slide in like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to create the beautiful whole. The fifteen stories in this compelling book give a glimpse into some of these fascinating regions and the lives of the people there. From Himachal to Puducherry to Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, there are stories for each of them set in contemporary times. Each story is preceded by fascinating facts about the region.
Are there diamonds hidden amidst the marble rocks of Bhedaghat? How can eleven year old Rehan have a unique birthday party by going all over the city? What happens when Kanmani and her friends are chased by crocodiles during a boat ride in the Andaman Islands? Can Carthic prevent the shutting down of his father’s little shop Bakers & Sons, known for its fresh handmade baguettes in Puducherry? Does little Sibsa’s wish of having her own magical carpet and flying to Mumbai from Tawang on it work? What on earth is Raja the donkey doing in Ramoji Film City with a group of children? Can the fort of Raigad be reclaimed from a troop of monkeys by a group of village children? How did Tiny Singh who was actually tiny become the strongest boy in Punjab? Read the book to know all of these and more about the different parts of India.
This was the first book that my eleven year old son picked up for reading after his exams. We had a great time reading the book and journeying across the length and breadth of India even if it was just armchair travel :) While stories from some places/states brought back memories of having traveled there, many have been added to our ever growing wish list as well. The book is a treasure trove of facts and charming stories which are bound to arouse a sense of adventure and enthusiasm. Pika Nani was the first author that we ever met and we have always looked forward to reading her books. This was her first book and we had been saving it for reading later. What better time to read this than at the start of the summer holidays! And it proved to be yet another fabulous book which is so different from the other books of hers that we have read so far. The stories give a beautiful glimpse into diverse regions of India making it a memorable read. Every story left us with a smile and a sense of happiness. One of the stories from Uttarakhand had been a part of the grade three textbook for my son and he was happy to read it again :) Overall this is a “MUST READ” book for its theme and the well written stories showcasing the diversity of India in all its grandeur.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 10 and above.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika here.
PS - A Kannada translation of the book has been launched recently and I hope that we will be able to read it sometime soon :) For those of you interested in checking it out, please find the publisher website link here.