“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.”
― J.K. Rowling
So true, isn’t it? A good book is indeed like a magic and stories work for me like wonders whenever I have to explain something new or difficult to my little one. Children’s Day is round the corner and when one of my friends who manages a reading club asked me to recommend some books that she can read out to kids during her upcoming Children's Day event, it left me thinking. While I don’t think reading needs any special occasion and a good book can be read any day of the year but its good to notice that many events these days are focussing on building reading habits amongst kids. After some quick thinking, I decided to recommend her some books that are not preachy yet communicate some key values to children in a fun story format. So here goes a list of few of those books that me and my 5.5 year have loved reading together:
1. Moana by Disney:
A wonderful tale of courage and grit, this is one book that’s surely going to attract the attention of little adventurers at our home. Its an ancient folklore about Princess Moana, a born navigator who sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her journey, she encounters lots of trouble but with her perseverance and courage, she finally ends up finding her destiny. Packed with beautiful graphics and a very entertaining story, this book is good for a read aloud session for below 6 years old as well as self reading by above 6 year ones.
Written by: Samantha Crockford
Illustrated by: Disney Storybook Artists
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
2. Brown Like Dosas, Samosas And Sticky Chikki by Fun Ok Please:
A much needed book especially for a country like India where bias towards certain skin and complexion type has existed since ages. It’s a beautiful book that talks about diversity and to be always proud of you, the way you are. This book is about young Samaira who in a world biased towards the lighter skin tone, is happy and content with her brown skin and would not exchange it with whiter shade for anything. When I read it for the first time, I was amazed at the way such a sensitive topic has been communicated in such simple and fun story format.
Written by: Rebecca Manari
Illustrated by: Hetal Dattani Joshi
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
3. Dot by RHUK:
Simple and easy to read, this book is about digital vs real life, about playing outside, observing our environment instead of just being glued on to screens. Dot is a smart and intelligent girl who knows everything about swipe and virtual share but is so stuck with her electronic devices that she forgets what it is like being outdoors. Good for 3-6 years old, this book is full of gorgeous illustrations and revolves around a theme that’s very relevant for today’s time.
Written by: Randi Zuckerberg
Illustrated by: Joe Berger
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
4. Hanuman’s Ramyana by Tulika Publishers:
In a world that’s obsessed with self, it’s a book that tells you to listen and respect others perspectives too. Same story can be communicated by different people in different ways but what’s more important is that a good story should be told to everyone irrespective of who has written it or how has it been written - that’s what Hanuman’s Ramayana focusses on. Full of gorgeous Madhubani style of illustrations, this is a great read for 5 - 8 year old.
Written by: Devdutt Pattanik
Illustrated by: Nancy Raj
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Penguin:
A book loved by generations of kids and adults for its fun yet informative values. For me, when my son was younger all I had to do was remind him of the stomach ache that the caterpillar had after eating junk food :-). A picture book with holes (now who hasn’t poked his/her finger in those holes ;)), it’s a book that can be used for multiple purposes - from an entertaining story, to information about stages of a butterfly, from explaining weekdays and numbers to healthy eating habits, I am yet to meet a child who hasn’t liked this book.
Written by: Eric Carle
Illustrated by: Eric Carle
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
So, what are your all time favorite reads that are entertaining and enlightening at the same time? This is such a vast topic that any post with 5 to 10 book recommendations can’t do justice to it. There are hundreds of good books out there and I just wish, may our generation of kids continue the habit of reading regularly.
As I always say, these are some of the books that the mommy me enjoyed reading with her little one. It may happen that your junior won’t like some or all the books from this list and that’s perfectly fine. Every child has his/her own preferences, let’s just respect their choices and read them what they want.
Thank you for reading :-)
― J.K. Rowling
So true, isn’t it? A good book is indeed like a magic and stories work for me like wonders whenever I have to explain something new or difficult to my little one. Children’s Day is round the corner and when one of my friends who manages a reading club asked me to recommend some books that she can read out to kids during her upcoming Children's Day event, it left me thinking. While I don’t think reading needs any special occasion and a good book can be read any day of the year but its good to notice that many events these days are focussing on building reading habits amongst kids. After some quick thinking, I decided to recommend her some books that are not preachy yet communicate some key values to children in a fun story format. So here goes a list of few of those books that me and my 5.5 year have loved reading together:
1. Moana by Disney:
A wonderful tale of courage and grit, this is one book that’s surely going to attract the attention of little adventurers at our home. Its an ancient folklore about Princess Moana, a born navigator who sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her journey, she encounters lots of trouble but with her perseverance and courage, she finally ends up finding her destiny. Packed with beautiful graphics and a very entertaining story, this book is good for a read aloud session for below 6 years old as well as self reading by above 6 year ones.
Written by: Samantha Crockford
Illustrated by: Disney Storybook Artists
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
2. Brown Like Dosas, Samosas And Sticky Chikki by Fun Ok Please:
A much needed book especially for a country like India where bias towards certain skin and complexion type has existed since ages. It’s a beautiful book that talks about diversity and to be always proud of you, the way you are. This book is about young Samaira who in a world biased towards the lighter skin tone, is happy and content with her brown skin and would not exchange it with whiter shade for anything. When I read it for the first time, I was amazed at the way such a sensitive topic has been communicated in such simple and fun story format.
Written by: Rebecca Manari
Illustrated by: Hetal Dattani Joshi
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
3. Dot by RHUK:
Simple and easy to read, this book is about digital vs real life, about playing outside, observing our environment instead of just being glued on to screens. Dot is a smart and intelligent girl who knows everything about swipe and virtual share but is so stuck with her electronic devices that she forgets what it is like being outdoors. Good for 3-6 years old, this book is full of gorgeous illustrations and revolves around a theme that’s very relevant for today’s time.
Written by: Randi Zuckerberg
Illustrated by: Joe Berger
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
4. Hanuman’s Ramyana by Tulika Publishers:
In a world that’s obsessed with self, it’s a book that tells you to listen and respect others perspectives too. Same story can be communicated by different people in different ways but what’s more important is that a good story should be told to everyone irrespective of who has written it or how has it been written - that’s what Hanuman’s Ramayana focusses on. Full of gorgeous Madhubani style of illustrations, this is a great read for 5 - 8 year old.
Written by: Devdutt Pattanik
Illustrated by: Nancy Raj
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Penguin:
A book loved by generations of kids and adults for its fun yet informative values. For me, when my son was younger all I had to do was remind him of the stomach ache that the caterpillar had after eating junk food :-). A picture book with holes (now who hasn’t poked his/her finger in those holes ;)), it’s a book that can be used for multiple purposes - from an entertaining story, to information about stages of a butterfly, from explaining weekdays and numbers to healthy eating habits, I am yet to meet a child who hasn’t liked this book.
Written by: Eric Carle
Illustrated by: Eric Carle
Rent it out from your nearest library or buy it online from here.
So, what are your all time favorite reads that are entertaining and enlightening at the same time? This is such a vast topic that any post with 5 to 10 book recommendations can’t do justice to it. There are hundreds of good books out there and I just wish, may our generation of kids continue the habit of reading regularly.
As I always say, these are some of the books that the mommy me enjoyed reading with her little one. It may happen that your junior won’t like some or all the books from this list and that’s perfectly fine. Every child has his/her own preferences, let’s just respect their choices and read them what they want.
Thank you for reading :-)
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