As adults, we are kind to our children when they try new things. Even if the circle isn’t round, we admire it. Even if the handwriting is loopy, we applaud it. We clap when they jump rope 30 times and cheer when they run around the block.
But when it comes to appraising ourselves. What if we were kinder to ourselves?
Published on KQED Persepctives https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201601140598/sandhya-acharya-raising-a-good-loser Sandhya Acharya contemplates being a good loser – on the playground and in politics. Some time back, I was witness to a kids’ plank showdown. Timers were set, poses struck, seconds counted. But when it came time to declare the winner, a chorus of voices, including my son’s, broke out into complaints. “My jacket slowed me down!” “He moved!” “I wasn’t ready!” I watched from the sidelines, cringing. A question troubled me. Are we raising good losers? On Jan 6, 2021, we saw the damage a bad loser could do.… Read More »Raising a good loser
Celebrate Onam With Me Author: Shoumi Sen From the Toddler Diaries I have followed Shoumi’s journey and her books and was eager to read this one. I am including this review as part of #MCBD2021. Shoumi has also written about Holi, Durga Puja in previous books.. This book talks about Onam, a harvest festival in Kerala. We join Riya in a colorful and exciting journey to Kerala where Onam is celebrated. She begins with the story of Bali and Vamana and then introduces us to how the festival is celebrated. We learn about the festival… Read More »Book Review: Celebrate Onam With Me
The book is a collection of 11 stories of young entrepreneurs. It has a personal account of each of their dreams, their struggles, and their triumphs in their own words. It also has a section for each of them introducing the reader to their business and their impact.
Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum Author: Natasha Yim Illustrator: Violet Kim Publisher: Charlesbridge I have been participating in MCBD Multicultural Children’s Book Day for the past two years and It’s been an amazing experience. It’s a great initiative to bring diverse voices to the foreground and celebrate all the amazing authors/creators out there and their stories. I was gifted the book Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum by Natasha Yim to review. I had read Natasha’s earlier book, Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas, and was looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed! Natasha… Read More »Book Review: Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum
Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva Author: Vanessa Womack Illustrator: Rosemarie Gillen Publisher: Paint The Sky Purple Publishing I have been participating in #MCBD Multicultural Children’s Book Day for the past two years and It’s been an amazing experience. It’s a great initiative to bring diverse voices to the foreground and celebrate all the amazing authors/creators out there and their stories. I was gifted the book Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva by Vanessa Womack to review as MCBD2021 and I am delighted to do it. Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva by Vanessa Womack is… Read More »Book Review: Emerald Jones, The Fashion Designer Diva
Right before the Christmas break, my younger son logged in early to one of his classes. The kids showed their stuffies to each other, discussed their breakfast, and then proceeded to a new topic. Santa. Now, I was introduced to Santa a little late in my childhood. Thanks to the convent school I studied at, I could sing carols, pay my respects to Jesus at the chapel, and knew all about the holy trinity. But Santa and Christmas had not yet made an entry into our Hindu household. Until one day, a cousin showed me… Read More »The Truth of it
How Many Lines in a Limerick Author: Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan Illustrator: Jennifer Gibson Clear Fork Media This is a book PACKED with information for little poets. You can learn all about sonnets, limericks, couplets, Diamante, acrostic and more. Shobha deftly describes each form of poetry in verse and then follows it up with her own delightful poem that follows that particular format. Shobha also has clever little poems about things like groups of animals, from herds to pods and everything in between. I can’t get over this line “But a congress of Baboons, even with… Read More »Book Review: How Many Lines in a Limerick
When we get older being entertained is hard. We have to spend hundreds of dollars on subscriptions and apps to drown out the noise around us. But when you are six or eight, it is not such a challenge. A round piece of metal can magically transform into a spinning wheel that takes you across planets. Whoosh! Swish! It becomes a weapon as you fight an imposing dragon. Blankets become moats and pillows become forts. Stuffies can be pets, friends, even a ball to throw and catch. But Tag – what can one say about… Read More »Tag!
On our way to a family hike, we decided to change course and spend time at my sons’ school instead. It had been so long! Hikes could wait. The Ginko trees near the parking lot were gleaming gold. They shimmered in the morning light inviting us in. We stepped on the yellow carpet of leaves shed – soft, wet with dew. We bunched them into our hands, gathering more and more and then ‘TOSS’ – into the air they flew. The leaves rained down on us, gently grazing our cheeks, floating down. My sons giggled,… Read More »Waiting for School
Ajooni the Kaurageous Author: Amarpreet Kaur Dhami Illustrator: Annie Wilkinson Mascot Books A little girl, Ajooni, is not scared of snakes or spiders or barking dogs or the dark – until she meets a dragon. When she realizes she is scared she thinks she is not the bravest girl in the neighborhood. But her parents help her understand being brave is about facing your fears. Being courageous is about standing up for everything that is right – including yourself. Don’t be scared of anyone and don’t scare anyone. I loved the character of Ajooni and… Read More »Book Review: Ajooni the Kaurageous
Author: Aisha Saeed Illustrator: Anoosha Syed Publisher: Salaam Reads I had been wanting to read this book and was finally able to last weekend and it didn’t disappoint. Bilal’s Dad is about to Cooke daal. Bilal helps Dad set it and goes out to play. One by one, all his friends are curious if the daal is ready. But Bilal knows daal takes time. Finally when it’s close to dinner time, Bilal helps Dad add the final touches and everyone gets to taste the daal – so creamy it melts in your mouth! Daal is… Read More »Book Review: Bilal Cooks Daal
SOFIA VALDEZ FUTURE PRESIDENT Author: Andres Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts Publisher: Abrams Books With the election in process, I thought this was a perfect book to share. Sofia and her Abuelo love helping others. One day on their way to school, Abuelo trips over a giant pile of junk from the local landfill. Sofia is angry, she realizes something is not right. She resolves to get rid of the trash and build a park in its place. But building a park is not so easy, especially if you are only a little kid. But Sofia… Read More »Book Review: Sofia Valdez Future President
Can’t say no to prompts, so here I am participating in SUSANNA LEONARD HILL‘s Halloweensie contest 2020! The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in the 100 words), using the words skeleton, creep, and mask. Your story can be scary, funny, sweet, or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!) Dear Skeleton crew When Pihu told me Halloween was canceled this year,… Read More »Halloweensie Contest Entry 2020
Ritu weds Chandni is a book that directly deals with homophobia. A story of triumph, standing up for what you truly believe in, and the power of unconditional love.
Children’s books are a great conversation starter for topics you are wondering how to bring up to children. And if, as parents and caregivers, you are hesitating to bring up ‘difficult’ topics, I believe, children can actually be a very astute audience. They have no prejudice, they are naturally curious and have an extraordinary capacity to empathize.