The Secret Therapy for Stressed Adults? Picture Books. (Yes, Really!)
Because the joy of picture books isn't just for kids!
Hello Kindred Spirits in Storyland,
The trite way to start this newsletter on picture books would be to say, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but for picture book lovers, that simply doesn’t encapsulate the magic, does it?
For me, a picture book offers peace and a reminder to scale back the noise and return to simpler times. It pulls me to focus on lines and circles and colours and makes me draw meaning from art, not words. Reading a picture book is extremely fulfilling and grounding; I find it calms me down.
(FIND YOUR CALM)
Which is why I truly believe adults should read picture books. Let’s face it, there are more stressors than we can throw a rock at, so why not find the cheapest form of therapy?
Would you like me to do a newsletter on my favourite, go-to, happiness-inducing picture books so you can stock your home-library?
Also read: Why children’s books are your sure-shot way to be happy! (Scroll.in)
This past month, I also visited Becoming: An Exhibition Celebrating 130 years of illustrations in Indian children’s books and came back a changed person. I wrote about it here.
CLICK TO READ: Mother of Readers visits Becoming — the Exhibition every parent and child needs to see
This exhibition reiterated how much I love picture books and why they shouldn’t be earmarked only for kids. I saw children and veterans, young and old, marvelling at picture book illustrations that were mounted on the walls and given their rightful place as high art. Nothing convinces you of the magic of illustrations like your favourite one beaming down at you from a gallery wall.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been reading some amazing new picture books and here is a complete review. Add them all to your collection today!
Review: I Am Quiet: A Story for the Introvert in All of Us
Author: Andie Powers
Illustrated by Petsy Petersen
Publisher: Penguin Random House India
As a child, if you have ever been forced to interact with other children or thrown on stage because “it builds character”, and cringed while you smiled through the ordeal. Or when you were happy spending time by yourself but were forced to make friends, then you will know that this book was written for you.
Not every child is boisterous and playful, and this book tries to drive home that point. Emile is a quiet boy, but everyone thinks he is shy. He isn’t loud and playful but he is filled with thoughts and dreams. He listens to the sounds around him, he plays quietly, and finds solace watching the tiny creatures around him. He is happy to not join in school yard games, choosing quiet friendship instead.
This book is a strong reminder to let our kids grow without slotting them into moulds. The words are strong, delivering a punch with every line. The illustrations, like the point the book is trying to make, are quietly beautiful, forcing you to pause and marvel at their simplicity. A picture book every parent should read.
Review: Bina the Bookworm: Rises Above Obstacles
Author: Suhani Parikh
Illustrator: Sharanbir Kaur
Publisher: Hachette India
Bina is an adorable bookworm from a small family of bookworms. She lived with her brothers and sisters, who loved to eat books. But she always felt different. She hated the dirt and rain, and worst of all, she hated the smell of books! Until one day, when she decided to open a book and read it instead of eating it! She loved what she saw, and soon she was reading everything that was put in front of her. But there was a tiny problem. Every time Bina pulled out a book to read, one of her siblings would come and take a bite out of it. But then, she comes up with a fantastic idea! Read the book to find out whether she saves all her favourite books from her siblings, or they end up eating the entire bookcase!
This is such a cute story for little ones because of how novel the idea is! The illustrations are bright and exaggerated and will make readers chuckle. I can see this book being a bedtime staple or as a read-aloud, and one that will surely engage siblings!
Review: Lakshmi’s Little Bird
Author and illustrator: Sharanya Kunnath
Publisher: Hachette India
Lakshmi, the cow, is super excited about the day the Cow-Matching centre was to send her her very own Pakshi. The bird-friend, or Pakshi, were carefully chosen for every cow to help them ward off bugs and be their special friend. Lakshmi was so excited to meet hers! Finally, Leela the Pakshi is matched with Lakshmi, but something is just not right. You see, Lakshmi loved chatting, and Leela liked to be quiet. Leela is soon overwhelmed by Lakshmi’s constant chatter and leaves. Many other pakshis are matched with Lakshmi, but none of them stay. Not Leela, not Lavanya, not Latika, not Laboni, and not even Lekha. Until the head-matcher finds a Pakshe, she had overlooked. Will this be the perfect Cow-Pakshi match? Will Lakshmi find her bird-friend?
This book is pure joy with its bright, colourful, pink and yellow illustrations! It is a story about acceptance and extraordinary friendships and will appeal to every age group. Kunnath fills the pages with smile-inducing illustrations, draws you into a world where cows and pakshis are best friends! You feel the buzz and trilling of the insects and empathise with poor Lakshmi, who just wants a friend she can talk to. Kunnath’s background as a graphic designer shines through the book, I could see this as a lovely short film too!
Review: Summers With Dadu
Author: Aprajita Ramsagar Singh
Illustrator: Debaleena Chakraborty
Publisher: Tota Books (An imprint of Speaking Tiger Books)
Anand loves the summer holidays because he gets to spend them with his Dadu at their ancestral house. He loves sitting on Dadu’s lap and rifling through his kurta pockets for treasure. Ajji would make his favourite dishes, and Anand would end each meal with a mango feast! But one day, Dadu goes away. Anand looks for Dadu in the stars, but he can’t tell which one his Dadu is. Will he ever be able to find his Dadu in the stars above him, or is Dadu lost forever?
How do you talk to children about losing someone close to them? Every parent deals with this question, and I have always been in awe of books that can prepare children for this eventuality sensitively. This is one such book. Told sensitively and through the eyes of a child, Aprajita Ramsagar Singh approaches this harsh topic gently and manages to capture the essence of the special relationship kids have with their grandparents. The illustrations are vibrant and immediately transport you to your childhood summers in villages. Do check out this book and use it for meaningful conversations with your children.
Review: The Adventures of Brownie (The Indie Dog)
Author: Sanjana Kulkarni
Illustrator: Sushmita Gangalapadu
Publisher: Tota Books (An imprint of Speaking Tiger Books)
I live in a society where tolerance towards stray animals is a hot topic. Some people never want to see stray animals near their home. And then there are those people who care for and feed these animals. Children are often taught to be scared of stray animals and with fear comes intolerance. But as we all know, stray animals need love, food, and a place to stay too. How can we raise a generation that is tolerant towards all living beings?
This book helps with that question.
The Adventures of Brownie, the Indie Dog spotlights a day in the life of an adorable streetie - Brownie. He details his day and how he thinks he is helping the society he lives in. How would society function if he didn’t “water the plants” or let people pet him so they could complete their work efficiently? But, of course, the neighbourhood squirrel seems to think otherwise! This exasperated, playful banter between Brownie and the squirrel makes it so much fun for kids to read!
Seeing a street dog as the protagonist of a book normalises the presence of dogs in the neighbourhood. Children will begin to associate streeties with play and mischief, and this is the beginning of tolerance and acceptance. Even the name of the dog is so common, every child will find a Brownie where they live. I loved this book for what it represents and simply for how fun it is! Have your fun with it — use different voices during a read-aloud and make up your situations!
I hope you enjoyed reading this newsletter, I know I had fun putting it together for you! If you like what you read, please consider sharing it with a friend who will benefit. Help a parent raise a reader and tell them about Mother of Readers. You will be blessed with good book karma for life! Love listening to authors talk about their latest book and the inspiration behind it? Listen to Tell Me A Story, a podcast that showcases some of the most well-known names from the Indian children’s literature world! Want to get a glimpse into bits and bobs of my life? Follow along on Instagram.
See you soon!
Rati Girish