Knick n knack

Dylan's Cosydoze by Elsa   Joseph My rating: 4 of 5 stars This illustrated children’s book by Elsa Joseph has a simple, beautiful, and relatable story. Every parent and kids can relate to Dylan as a kid, the way he sulks when his favorite Cozydose goes missing. Less of a story and more of a narration of an incident, these 31 pager is enjoyable and heart-warming read. The narration is a simple rhythmic style and easy to understand by the young readers. The story is accompanied by illustrations for further ease in comprehension and help them to dive in their world of colourful imagination. The book also touches the importance of parenting and needs to inculcate good habits and mannerisms in young kids. For children, the book is a pleasant read while for parents, it also subtly teaches a valuable lesson. View all my reviews

Saving Forest Farm by Jack Purser My rating: 3 of 5 stars Saving Forest Farm is a children’s book touching on the topic which needs the highest attention in the current times, i.e. saving environment. The story is set in a jungle where the inhabitants are eagerly waiting for the rains to come. As the title suggests, the rain would save the ‘forest farm,’ which has animals thirsty and longing for rain as mother nature is on vacation. They rely on a turtle who has magical powers to bring rain. The book very subtly explains the children the need and importance of rains for mother earth. It is not only crucial for human beings but also for innocent animals in our forests that require rains for survival. The book has one-pager illustrations which support the narration and maintains the interest of the kids till the end. All in all, a good read! View all my reviews

Little Bit  Big Byte, Go Green by Craig Feigh My rating: 5 of 5 stars  The new book by Craig T. Feigh is a fresh addition in the ‘Little Bit & Big Byte’ series and this time with a relevant and an important message which is imperative for children of today’s day and age to understand. The book opens with an innocent pictorial riddle, asking the reader to find the recycle logo and then moves onto weave a story around the importance of environment and energy conservation by saving our natural resources. The author takes examples from the real-life scenarios and immediately provides the ways by which one can contribute towards saving the environment while doing the daily chores. ‘Go Green’, very effectively captures the imagination of a child and help him/her connect the cause with the impact. The language is conversational, and the characters are relatable. A short 33-page story is beautifully illustrated read with attractive colors and nice-looking characters. The illustrator, ‘Pa

Rainbow Crystal: A Children's Fantasy Book by Samantha Caprio-Negret My rating: 4 of 5 stars Rainbow Crystal narrates a journey of a 10-year-old girl, Sepharina, and her expedition with good, bad, and evils of the world. The 22-chapter book is weaved around the message of spreading peace, and love. Two young school girls are destined to change the world, not on this earth, but within a rainbow , where a magical world exists.  The book opens with a tragic incident, wherein Sepharina loses her best friend, her soul sister to an accident. The story then beautifully flows between a series of present and past events describing how Sepharina gets emotional for her lost friend, Josie Lee on the one hand , and on the other, explains how she becomes the ‘chosen one ,’ to save the rainbow world of Raiven and Earth.  The narration and description of the minutest details make the reader imagine the world beyond reality , which is magical and mesmerizing at the same time.

It was a usual summer morning, but for the passing out batch of St. George School, it is a time when they had to bid goodbye to their childhood friends and safe mushy environment of the school . Outside the world is cruel and competitive; this is what Riya learned from her friends. Riya was a polite young girl, with dreams to make it big in the real world. In her thoughts of parting from Madhav, little she knew of the day ahead.   Half an hour to eleven, and principal Mr. Anthony addressed the class 12 th students with mixed emotions. Madhav was standing with his friends ; friend zoned while eyeing on Riya secretly. He loved her but was scared to express. All his friends knew about his liking for Riya and used to tease him. Riya, on the other hand, loved him secretly and was smart enough to let anyone knew. She used to find ways to talk to him, but Madhav was always surrounded with his friends, wanna be girlfriends and so-called sisters, which made her feel uncomfortabl

It starts with a missed period and anticipation that you are pregnant! Days pass and you come disappointed out of the washroom with negative test in hand to people waiting in anticipation of a double line on that device. Apart from dealing with your disappointments, worries, anxiety and sadness, yes all mixed up in mind, you have to put up a brave face, as if nothing has happened. Deep inside you are just gloomy! Next start trips to gynacs! Finding a  good one is a task. Meddling through the countless advice, comments and suggestions, you zero down on one, hoping that she would be a solution to all your questions. Gynac trips are not always the pleasant ones! Especially when you are a PCOS patient (well, no gynac will tell you this, except you spending countless nights googling your symptoms and zeroing down the name of your problems!) Yes, there are many self help groups and articles on internet for PCOS, but none will provide a solution. They will put you through num

Children's book: A Fun Day at the Countryside by N.S. Esther My rating: 3 of 5 stars A cute tale of friends going for a picnic in the countryside. The story of little boys and girls who love playing around with water, running behind butterflies and looking at colors of nature fondly. It is more like a slice of life fairy tale which will make your kids dive into an imaginary world. Will force them to create colors and scenarios in their minds. It starts like a normal story then take a prose route for some time. The book is full of bright colors and angelic faces. All in all a good pass time read. Ideal as a night time read for a feel-good factor! View all my reviews