A Birthday Present For Aaji
by Parinita Shetty and illustrated by Aindri C
“A Birthday Present For Aaji” by Parinita Shetty and illustrated by Aindri C. Published by Duckbill. A delightful story of little Jyoti who is on a quest to find the perfect birthday present for her unconventional Aaji.
The story starts off with Jyoti deep in thoughts about what to gift Aaji for her birthday. She is at a loss as to what Aaji might like. She decides to seek help from the adults who work with Aaji. They stay in the village of Tarkarli on the coast of Southern Maharashtra. Each one of them suggests what they feel is apt for Aaji and why she would appreciate it. For instance, Jayashri Kaki who runs a home stay suggests that Aaji needs a room of her own so that she can spend some time on her own away from everyone.
Aaji is not conventional. She hates cooking and Jyoti would rather not eat what she cooks as she ends up with burnt smell in the kitchen for the whole day. She hardly spends time at home as she is busy donning different roles at work. Her work ranges from catching and selling fish to selling masala powders during weekends to being the caretaker of a houseboat for tourists to taking tourists on scuba diving trips to assisting the guide at the fort. Not to forget climbing coconut trees to pluck the coconuts. And yes, she rides a bicycle to get around all these places!
Who are the people that Jyoti seeks ideas from? What do they suggest? What is Jyoti going to choose? How is she going to celebrate her Aaji’s birthday? Will Aaji like her gift? Read the charming story to find out.
My eight year old loved reading the book and was curious to know the ending. He was amused to know the unconventional ways of Aaji. She was so refreshingly different from the conventional grandmothers who love cooking and cleaning. This was an Aaji who preferred not to do both and be outdoors. We got a glimpse into the lives of people of a fishing village from the region. The illustrations are delightful and complement the story well. The book is part of the “hook book”series and very well suited for children beginning to read on their own.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 5/6+.
Reasons to Read
For a fun filled read set in a coastal village from Southern Maharashtra that gives a glimpse into the roles that people play in a tourist place.
For the bonding between a little girl and her feisty grandmother who does not conform to the regular mould.
Where to buy from?
An independent bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.
Disclaimer - We received this book from the publisher, Penguin India (Duckbill), for review. Thank you to Greeshma and Mansi, from Penguin, for sending across the book!