Review - Chase Your Dreams Little Princess

Chase Your Dreams Little Princess
by Aastha Miranpuri
illustrated by Ayesha
Date: 2021
Publisher: Aastha Miranpuri
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.com

Girls have the power to control their fates, make their dreams come true, and achieve anything they put their minds to. Girls are powerful beings.

Exceptional women in history paved a path of greatness for girls everywhere. Through their words and with their examples, these women have inspired generations.

Through innovation, education, fearlessness, determination, and hard-fought battles, these incredible women beat the odds.

Chase Your Dreams, Little Princess chronicles their remarkable stories and will inspire young minds to chase their dreams and go above and beyond to achieve them.

Grab your copy now for your favorite little princess.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

In the same vein as books like Vashti Harrison's Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and Chelsea Clinton's She Persisted, Chase Your Dreams Little Princess is a showcase of accomplished Indian women from a wide variety of fields. Each section is introduced with a list of names, and then the subsequent pages feature an illustration of the woman and what she did.

Unlike the other books I mentioned, the information in Chase Your Dreams Little Princess is quite sparse, amounting to only one sentence for each woman. It's a good place to start, but I would've liked some more biographical information.

The illustrations are... odd. They almost look like they were traced over photos, and some of them are cut off in strange places. (Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, for example, is depicted as having no feet. When there is an actual amputee listed elsewhere in the book, readers could be forgiven for being confused.)

I'm also not sure why Mother Teresa is listed in the book. She's Albanian. (Nikki Haley, the American politician, is also included, so I assumed that the book was showcasing women of Indian heritage... not simply women who lived in India.)

Overall, I'm not super impressed, but I do think the book fills a void. This is by no means as complete as some similar books on the market, though; it's tough to be truly inspired by someone when their story is condensed to a single sentence.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - Holi Hai!

Holi Hai!
by Chitra Soundar
illustrated by Darshika Varma
Date: 2022
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Gauri is excited to splash colors on everyone for Holi. But when she doesn't get her favorite color, Gauri gets mad. Will she find a way to overcome her anger and join in the festivities?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This a relatable little holiday story about a girl named Gauri. As her family prepares for Holi, each person is assigned a colour and must make a coloured powder. But Gauri doesn't get the colour she wanted, so she sulks all day and doesn't get anything done. Later, Grandpa tells the kids the story of Holika and Prahlada, and Gauri realizes maybe she's been acting with too much anger in her heart. So she works hard all night to try to make things right.

I've read a few Holi picture books. This is one of the stronger ones. The story is engaging, and isn't just about the festival. I enjoyed how Gauri's childhood anger and entitlement was portrayed, and how the issue was eventually resolved. There's a great author's note at the back that explains more about Holi, and there's even some recipes for making coloured waters, just in case you feel like getting joyfully messy.

Overall, this is a nice picture book about Holi with strong themes of family, compromise, and making the best of things when they don't turn out exactly as you wanted.

Premise: 5/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.33 out of 5

Review - Grandmother School

Grandmother School
by Rina Singh
illustrated by Ellen Rooney
Date: 2020
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Every morning, a young girl walks her grandmother to the Aajibaichi Shala, the school that was built for the grandmothers in her village to have a place to learn to read and write. The narrator beams with pride as she drops her grandmother off with the other aajis to practice the alphabet and learn simple arithmetic. A moving story about family, women and the power of education--when Aaji learns to spell her name you'll want to dance along with her.

Women in countless countries continue to endure the limitations of illiteracy. Unjust laws have suppressed the rights of girls and women and kept many from getting an education and equal standing in society. Based on a true story from the village of Phangane, India, this brilliantly illustrated book tells the story of the grandmothers who got to go to school for the first time in their lives.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Grandmother School is a sweet little book based on real events.

Many grandmothers in India can't read or write. In one village, a teacher sought to change that and created the Aajibaichi Shala, or Grandmother School. Every day, the children walk their grandmothers in their bright pink saris to the school, where they learn reading and basic arithmetic.

Though this story is narrated by a fictional little girl, it's based on what happened in Phangane, India in 2016. So those who are looking for picture books with a non-fiction bent might want to check this one out.

The mixed-media illustrations are charming and colourful, depicting the village, its inhabitants, and the Aajibaichi Shala in vibrant hues. They compliment the story nicely, especially as they incorporate a few words written in the Marathi alphabet.

Overall, this is a lovely book. Kids who don't live in India are liable to find this an eye-opening experience; they might not take their own grandmothers' literacy for granted after reading this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 5/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.17 out of 5

Review - The Barefoot King

The Barefoot King
by Andrew Nance
illustrated by Olivia Holden
Date: 2020
Publisher: Bala Kids
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

A lighthearted story about the consequences of rash decisions and the importance of problem solving, responsibility, and acceptance for kids ages 4-8.

Told in rhyming couplets, The Barefoot King recounts the story of a young king named Creet who rules a land where people walk around with bare feet. Easily distracted, one day King Creet stubs his toe on a rock and is shocked by the pain. Never wanting to experience that discomfort again, the king decides to cover his whole kingdom in leather, with unfortunate consequences.

This short and silly story helps parents discuss concepts of acceptance, awareness, and responsibility with kids. Seeing the consequences of King Creet's decision, kids will learn to navigate challenges in their own lives and the opportunities for growth that obstacles provide. A short "reader's guide" accompanies the story, aiding parents and teachers in discussions of how to handle life's bumps with conscious breaths and mindful steps.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is supposedly a book about mindfulness, but I actually found that part of the story kind of forced. The basic gist is that there's a kingdom where everybody goes barefoot. One day, the king stubs his toe. He freaks out and orders that the whole kingdom be covered in leather so it won't happen again. But the leather makes problems of its own. The crops can't grow. The leather gets too hot in the sun, and very slippery in the rain. So the king freaks out again and goes to his ministers. One of them gives him some speech about mindfulness and awareness before coming to the point: they should wear leather on their feet instead.

The whole mindfulness thing just feels shoehorned in there. And what was the king supposed to do? He was paying attention to his surroundings when he was "distracted" by the birds. Our brains can't pay attention to a bunch of things at once (which is why there are so many videos out there of people walking into poles while texting). I think I would have preferred it if the story had either just had the fable aspect (how shoes were invented) or had made the king distracted by something other than the natural world (because we're always telling kids how important it is to notice and appreciate nature; do we really want to be telling them to keep their heads down and miss the beauty of the world because they might stub their toe?).

The illustrations... Well, I sort of like them and I sort of don't. I don't particularly like the style. But I love the lush colour palette. So my reaction there is kind of mixed.

Overall, this is fine if you're looking for folktale-like stories about how things came to be. In that respect, it works. As far as teaching about mindfulness, though... I think it kind of missed the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bala Kids for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Thukpa for All

Thukpa for All
by Praba Ram & Sheela Preuitt
illustrated by Shilpa Ranade
Date: 2018
Publisher: Karadi Tales
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 38
Format: e-book
Source: library

Tsering can’t wait to taste his grandmother’s delicious noodle soup. He invites a string of friends and neighbours home. But as preparations get underway, there is a power cut and the house is plunged into darkness. Will Abi be able to put together the much-anticipated thukpa? Told from a blind child’s perspective, this tale by Praba Ram and Sheela Preuitt is accompanied by Shilpa Ranade’s stunning illustrations.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Thukpa for All seems a little bit like a folk tale, in the tradition of stories like "Stone Soup" or modern picture books like Oge Mora's Thank You, Omu! Set in India, it tells the story of a little blind boy and a dinner invitation that brings the whole community together.

Tsering is on his way home, looking forward to his grandmother's thukpa (noodle soup). As he encounters various people, he invites them home to share the meal. Eventually, it's a big party, but it's okay because each guest brings a contribution for the meal. But then the power goes out! How will Abi see to be able to cook the thukpa?

I really like the premise of this. And I like seeing a child with a disability featured in a role that highlights his skills and contributions. The setting is interesting, too; I don't think I've read any picture books set in the Ladakh region of India before. The way the story is structured works well, too; it reminds me of "Stone Soup" and its variations (although the overall message is different). The choice to make Tsering blind is interesting, and I really enjoyed the onomatopoeia that was included as a way of highlighting one of the senses that he does have.

Unfortunately, the book suffers from a couple of problems that really affected my enjoyment. The first is the writing. The characters "speak" with silent actions such as smiling and handing over a basket of peas. It wasn't just a one-time occurrence, either, so I took off a few points for that. Also, the illustrations give the impression that this book could take place a long time ago. There's little in the way of modern technology. So when the power goes out, it's jarring. There aren't even any electrical wires to be seen, so I'm curious as to how Ami's house is powered. Solar panels? Then why would one of the characters make mention of a "power cut", as if it's something that happens regularly with the grid? The stove itself is simply a rectangular box. Drawing an electrical cord might have helped the illustrations look they actually belonged with the text. (There's also the matter of the stove having a chimney in one illustration but not the others. That's a continuity problem that should've been caught.)

For all that, though, this isn't a terrible book. I always like reading about children's experiences in different parts of the world. There's also a recipe in the back for thukpa, which sounds tasty. So I would recommend this one (especially if you're not as much of a stickler for good grammar as I am).

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 1/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5

Review - Feast of Peas

Feast of Peas
by Kashmira Sheth
illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
Date: 2020
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Hard-working Jiva might not be the only one anticipating a delicious feast of peas from his garden.

Every morning, Jiva works in his garden until the sun turns as red as a bride's sari. He plants peas and beans, potatoes and tomatoes, eggplants and okra in his vegetable patch. When his friend Ruvji admires his plants Jiva sings,

Plump peas, sweet peas,
Lined- up-in-the-shell peas.
Peas to munch, peas to crunch
A feast of peas for lunch.

But each time Jiva is ready to pick the peas for his feast, they're already gone. What has happened?

From the award-winning author and illustrator team who created Tiger in My Soup, this original story set in India features a deliciously amusing mystery about gardening, anticipation, hard work, and generosity.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Feast of Peas is a story set in India about a farmer who's looking forward to harvesting his peas and having a feast. But someone else also has a taste for peas and keeps stealing them as soon as they're ready to pick. Jiva has to come up with a clever plan to figure out who's stealing his peas before they're all gone!

This is a pretty strong picture book. It features three-fold repetition like many old fairy tales, a little bit of rhyme, and lovely illustrations that capture the essence of the setting.

I'd recommend this to readers looking for something in the fable and fairy tale vein and/or to those who enjoy stories set in India.

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Publishing Company for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - P Is for Poppadoms!

P Is for Poppadoms!
by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal
illustrated by Hazel Ito
Date: 2019
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

From New York Times bestselling authors Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal comes a charming and unique alphabet book celebrating the rich culture, delicious foods, and fascinating animals of India.

From C for chai to Y for yoga, this fresh alphabet book takes young readers on a spirited journey to discover the people, places, lifestyles, and language of India. Lush illustrations from debut illustrator Hazel Ito bring to life the beauty, wonder, and diversity of this vast and vibrant country.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Aside from a couple of awkwardly phrased sentences, this is a strong alphabet book that teaches readers Hindi words from A to Z. Colourful pictures highlight the text while illustrating a variety of objects, animals, and concepts. There's a nice little explanation about languages in India at the back, as well as a full list of the Hindi words and how they're written in the Devanagari script.

All in all, this is a lovely alphabet book. I haven't seen too many that focus on a language other than English (while simultaneously being aimed at English speakers), so this was a nice find.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - The Diwali Gift

The Diwali Gift
by Shweta Chopra & Shuchi Mehta
illustrated by Anna Koan
Date: 2014
Publisher: 3 Curious Monkeys
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

1 2 3. Whatever Could It Be?

Join the 3 Curious Monkeys Suno, Dekho and Jaano as they discover the most auspicious, wonderful Diwali Gift!

When a mysterious package arrives just in time for Diwali, the three friends can hardly contain their excitement! Sparklers? Bangles? Diyas? Whatever could it be?

Discover the most special gift of all... in this tale of tradition, curiosity, and fun!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I didn't really know anything about Diwali before reading this book. I know a little more now, but I still feel like I couldn't really explain it to someone else, unfortunately.

Three little monkeys (Suno, Dekho, and Jaano) find a package from Suno's grandmother. They speculate about what could be inside. At the end, the secret is revealed and the holiday is celebrated.

The illustrations are really cute (I especially like the monkeys' iBanana laptop). There is one part of the book that did give me pause, though, and that was with the bangles. It comes across as a little bit of a gender stereotype (probably because I don't understand the significance of the bangles, or why boys wouldn't want them). I wish that had been explained, or at least included in the glossary stating that they're traditionally for women. There is a decent glossary at the back, along with some information about Diwali. I thought that info was a little too necessary, however; I would've liked to see more of it included in the story itself so that the book wouldn't need any endnotes.

Overall, though, this is a fairly cute book that depicts three excited kids getting ready for their favourite holiday. It's hard not to get a little bit excited right along with them.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Review - Lali's Feather

Lali's Feather
by Farhana Zia
illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Date: 2020
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

This endearing story of identification and values shows the rewards in looking closely and thinking imaginatively.

Lali finds a little feather in the field. Is it lost? Lali sets out to find feather a home, but one bird after another rejects it. The feather is too small for Rooster, too slow for Crow, and too plain for Peacock. Once Lali decides to keep the little feather and discovers all the things she can do with it, the other birds begin to recognize its value.

Farahan Zia's charming tale employs an inventive circular structure that reveals the importance of looking beyond first impressions. Illustrator Stephanie Fizer Coleman brings this delightful story of imagination and inspiration to life.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Jai Ho! What an adorable book! Comparisons to Cao Wenxuan's Feather are going to be inevitable, though this is, in my opinion, a far better book.

Lali finds a feather in the field. She doesn't know who it belongs to, so she sets out to find its owner. Each bird that she encounters tells her it's not theirs (and why it couldn't be). Having no luck, Lali decides to simply have fun with the feather. She writes with it, sweeps with it, fans the fire, and even torments her family with it. But when the feather is lost, the rest of the birds come to the rescue in a delightful display of empathy and friendship. And after all that, the story ends with the promise of another adventure.

Unlike the aforementioned Feather, this book is far more lighthearted and appealing. The illustrations are fun and colourful. Hindi interjections are sprinkled throughout and, combined with the pictures, they give the book a definite Indian flair. It's likely to be much more engaging to children, with the relatable main character.

Overall, this is a strong picture book showing a little girl searching for a lost feather's home, as well as highlighting the value of seemingly insignificant things, like a dropped feather. I'd definitely recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Publishing Company for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Review - Get Off That Camel!

Get Off That Camel!
by A. H. Benjamin
illustrated by Krishna Bala Shenoi
Date: 2019
Publisher: Karadi Tales
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

From the time Meena was a baby, she's been obsessed with camels. This fixation becomes stronger when she's gifted a real camel for her birthday. Thrilled with her new pet, Meena simply refuses to get off that camel!

This delightful story by veteran children's author A. H. Benjamin is accompanied by Krishna Bala Shenoi's vibrant, colorful illustrations, and promises to take readers on a ride they'll never forget.

(synopsis from back cover; see it on Goodreads)

This adorable picture book comes to us from India. I have no idea how my local library got their hands on a copy, but I'm glad they did. Get Off That Camel! is a cute story about a little girl and her beloved pet.

Meena is absolutely obsessed with camels. So when her parents get her a real one, naturally, she rides it everywhere. Meena's having a great time... but her family, friends, and community aren't so enamoured with her cameline pal. Soon, the camel has been banned from pretty much all public spaces, and Meena's parent haul her off to the doctor to see what can be done. Predictably, the doctor says that there's nothing wrong with the girl. As for the camel... well, you'll just have to read the book and find out what happens.

The story is simple, but the illustrations are precious. A decidedly Indian flavour is infused throughout the pictures, and the characters themselves are so cute. Watching the camel try to sit at a school desk or take a bath in the bathtub is super amusing; there are so many scenarios in here where camels just don't fit, but that's what makes them so funny.

I'm not sure about the general availability of this book for North American audiences, and it barely even has a presence on Goodreads. That's a shame, because Get Off That Camel! has plenty to offer young readers... including a loving message of doing right by our animal friends.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - The Story of Little Black Sambo

The Story of Little Black Sambo
by Helen Bannerman
Date: 1899
Publisher: Frederick A. Stokes Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 64
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

The jolly and exciting tale of the little boy who lost his red coat and his blue trousers and his purple shoes but who was saved from the tigers to eat 169 pancakes for his supper, has been universally loved by generations of children. First written in 1899, the story has become a childhood classic and the authorized American edition with the original drawings by the author has sold hundreds of thousands of copies. Little Black Sambo is a book that speaks the common language of all nations, and has added more to the joy of little children than perhaps any other story. They love to hear it again and again; to read it to themselves; to act it out in their play.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'd heard of this book (and its racism) but I'd never actually read it. I found it on Open Library and thought I'd give it a try. Aside from the racist bits, it's actually a pretty fun story.

Little Black Sambo is given a lovely coat, trousers, umbrella, and shoes by his parents. He ends up having to give away each article of clothing to appease some tigers (so they won't eat him). Eventually, though, the tigers get vain and think they're so fine, and they end up fighting and chasing each other around a tree so fast that they churn themselves into ghee! The fanciful elements of the story are like what you'd expect to see in a good picture book, and the whole thing comes across as a fun fable.

As I was reading this book, I thought about how easy it would be to change the racist parts so that it would be less offensive. And, seeing reviews on Goodreads, it seems that the book has been altered over the years, changed to give it an Indian setting and characters (which makes more sense, considering the plot points of tigers and ghee). I can't comment on any of these newer editions, because I read a really old one... but I don't think it would take much in the way of changes to make this book acceptable for a modern audience.

Quotable moment:

So the Tiger got poor Little Black Sambo's beautiful little Red Coat, and went away saying, "Now I'm the grandest Tiger in the Jungle."

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - The Dinner Party

The Dinner Party
by Mona Gardner
Date: 1941
Publisher: Saturday Review
Reading level: A
Book type: short story
Pages: 2
Format: e-book
Source: "The Dinner Party"

An argument breaks out over whether women can keep calm in a crisis.

(see it on Goodreads)

This story starts out sounding really dated and sexist, with an argument about whether women can stay calm in a crisis, or if flipping out is something that's hardwired into them. By the end of this very short story, however, it becomes clear that it's a little bit of a feminist piece.

Oh, and if you can't stand the thought of snakes, you might want to skip this one.

Quotable moment:

"A woman's unfailing reaction in any crisis," the colonel says, "is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, yet he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what counts."

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall Rating: 3.71 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Mina vs. the Monsoon

Mina vs. the Monsoon
by Rukhsanna Guidroz
illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta
Date: 2018
Publisher: Yali Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 38
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Mina loves to play soccer all year around. Nothing comes close to it. But when the monsoon arrives, Mina is stuck indoors and she can’t help feeling restless and bored. Her ammi doesn’t understand. The doodhwalla doesn’t understand. That’s when Mina decides she’ll find ways of chasing away the clouds herself. In doing so, she makes an unexpected discovery. Soccer will never be the same again for Mina!

In a charming story that any kid who loves a sport will relate to, soccer-mad Mina tries just about any trick to stop the monsoon clouds from raining on her game. In doing so, she shows us glimpses of her life in a village in eastern India, highlighting the important role played by monsoon rains in this part of the world. The heart of the story, however, is the bond forged between a mother and her daughter on a gray, gloomy day.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I thought this story was going to go in a completely different direction... and I'm not sure I like how it ultimately ended.

Mina is a girl who is completely obsessed with soccer. When the rain comes, her mother doesn't want her to go outside and play in it, saying she'll catch a cold. She offers chai and samosas instead... which I would've accepted gladly. (Forget the stupid soccer!) While Mina is waiting for the rain to go away, she tries to come up with ways to chase away the monsoon: playing the tabla, doing her version of a reverse rain dance, trying a magic trick, and stringing a flower garland (her mother's suggestion). I thought that Mina would eventually discover that there were plenty of other things to do while she waited for the rain to pass... but the story went in a totally different direction. When she goes to get the thread for the flower garland, she finds her mother's old soccer jersey. Turns out, her mother used to play, and she used to always catch a cold in the rain (which explains her protectiveness of Mina now). Eventually, the rain stops, and Mina thinks her magic trick worked. Then she has the supposedly great idea for her and her mother to play soccer and just get under shelter if the rain starts again (which seems like a no-brainer, but whatever). So, in a cute scene, mother and daughter play soccer together in the mud. Then the book abruptly ends.

The illustrations are different. They're very colourful, and the expressions are interesting, but I have a feeling they're not going to appeal to everyone. The sense of place, however, is well done, and I really felt like I was reading a story set in India (and not just someone's idea of a story set in India).

So, overall, this was just okay for me. It will probably appeal more to kids who are really passionate about sports, especially soccer. I was never really a fan, so I had a bit of a hard time relating to Mina's obsession.

Thank you to NetGalley and Yali Books for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Review - Cinnamon

Cinnamon
by Neil Gaiman
illustrated by Divya Srinivasan
Date: 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

A talking tiger is the only one who may be able to get a princess to speak in this beautiful picture book set in a mythic India by the Newbery Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling author of American Gods and Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman, and illustrated in bold colors by Divya Srinivasan.

This stunning picture book will transport readers to another time and place and will delight parents and children alike. "Full of Gaiman's wit and whimsy, this one is great for reading aloud. Gorgeous, with lush illustrations by Divya Srinivasan" (Brightly.com).

Previously available only as an audio book, Cinnamon has never been published in print before, and Divya Srinivasan's lush artwork brings Neil Gaiman's text to life.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

WARNING: Major Spoilers! To read this review with the spoilers hidden, check it out on Goodreads.

What the hell? This is a children's book? It's awful. The only thing it really has going for it is decent grammar and passable illustrations.

Here's the real synopsis: A blind princess won't talk. So her parents offer lots of material goods to the one who can get her to speak. A man-eating tiger comes along, and her parents think, "Why not? It's just a man-eating tiger," and close their kid up in a room with the beast. The tiger, through physical and psychological abuse, gets the girl to speak at last. Her mother's aunt--whose only crime appears to be getting old and disappointed by life--makes a snarky comment and is eaten by the tiger. Nobody cares. The princess's parents allow the girl to go off into the jungle with her abuser. Apparently, nobody thinks this is a bad idea. They may have lived happily ever after, but probably not; in any case, we're never told what happens to anyone except the aunt: everyone remembers her as a beautiful young woman, based on her portrait.

I mean, seriously. What the hell?

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Pashmina

Pashmina
by Nidhi Chanani
Date: 2017
Publisher: First Second
Reading level: YA
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 182
Format: e-book
Source: library

Priyanka Das has so many unanswered questions: Why did her mother abandon her home in India years ago? What was it like there? And most importantly, who is her father, and why did her mom leave him behind? But Pri’s mom avoids these questions―the topic of India is permanently closed.

For Pri, her mother's homeland can only exist in her imagination. That is, until she find a mysterious pashmina tucked away in a forgotten suitcase. When she wraps herself in it, she is transported to a place more vivid and colorful than any guidebook or Bollywood film. But is this the real India? And what is that shadow lurking in the background? To learn the truth, Pri must travel farther than she’s ever dared and find the family she never knew.

In this heartwarming graphic novel debut, Nidhi Chanani weaves a tale about the hardship and self-discovery that is born from juggling two cultures and two worlds.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a weird little book. I don't mind elements of magic in contemporary stories, but this book has a few problems that prevented me from enjoying it more.

The main issue I had was that I'm not sure who the audience is. The main character is probably around 16 (she's learning to drive, and it's mentioned that her mother was her age when she got pregnant), and there are some definite heavier issues dealt with in the story (family drama, a sick baby, abandonment, poverty). However, the pashmina element of the story was ridiculous and juvenile.

So Priyanka finds a pashmina (basically an embroidered scarf) in her mother's things. When she puts it on, she's transported in her mind to India (these sections were done in full colour, while the main narrative was black and white; I liked the contrast). I don't have a problem with this, except for the fact that she's guided around this fictional India by a talking elephant and peacock. That just felt really juvenile, and after finishing, I'm still not sure what the point of those characters was. They made me feel like I'd stepped sideways into a middle-grade title every time the switch happened. And then we discover that the pashmina itself is a lying, manipulative piece of cloth, showing the wearer an idealized version of their future, not necessarily the truth. While it's a nice notion to have the pashmina show women their potential, I think it would've been even better if it had been realistic; as it was, the accessory came across as an overselling manipulator. (I never thought I'd have to say something like that about a scarf!)

The Indian culture that was included (the fashion, food, words, and family relationships) was all done fairly well. I didn't really like Priyanka as a character, but that was probably because I had a hard time connecting with her. I'm not sure she was developed that well. A big part of the story was--or should have been--her drawing her comic books, but it wasn't really emphasized as much as it could've been (especially in the beginning) if it was that big a part of her life. Where it was included, I wasn't impressed. At one point, her teacher suggests she enter a contest. She says no. So he enters for her! I was appalled. If she said no, she might've had a very good reason; entering her comic without consent just seemed a bit creepy... especially considering the crush Priyanka had on said teacher.

Overall, it wasn't the worst graphic novel I've read, but it wasn't the best, either. The cultural elements are good, but they're not quite enough to carry the story, and the juvenile talking animals and magical manipulative pashmina rubbed me the wrong way.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 2/5
Pace: 2/5
Writing & Editing: 3/5
Illustration: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Homeless Bird

Homeless Bird
by Gloria Whelan
Date: 2000
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: MG
Book type: prose novel
Pages: 196
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.ca

Leaving Home...forever. Like many girls her age in India, thirteen-year-old Koly is getting married. When she discovers that the husband her parents have chosen for her is sickly boy with wicked parents, Koly wishes she could flee. According to tradition, though, she has no choice. On her wedding day, Koly's fate is sealed.

In the wake of her marriage, however, Koly's life takes an unexpected turn, and she finds herself alone in a strange city of white-sari-clad windows. Her only choice seems to be to shed her name and her future and join the hopeless hordes who chant for food.

Even then, cast out in a current of time-worn tradition, this rare young woman sets out to forge her own exceptional future. And a life, like a beautiful tapestry, comes together for Koly-- one stitch at a time.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is the type of story I usually end up liking. I find it fascinating to read about other places and cultures. While this book definitely had strong settings and a good backdrop of cultural traditions, it wasn't as engaging or as complex as I wanted it to be.

Please, dear author, I want some more...

I've read a couple of books now that are set in present-day India (well, this one is sort of current; it was published in 2000, so while we do get glimpses of some modern-day features, it does seem a little bit dated). I thought the author described the setting quite well. I could easily visualize Koly's parents' house, and then the house of her husband's family. The city was a little harder to picture, but I guess all one really needs to know is that it's noisy and crowded (a stark contrast to Koly's earlier village life). Unlike Padma Venkatraman's A Time to Dance, which really could've been set anywhere, Homeless Bird has a very definite Indian flavour to it... especially when it comes to the cultural traditions and social customs. Some of these made me quite angry, as they seemed so old-fashioned and rather sexist. But they are an integral part of the story.

It's all a matter of taste...

I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. I'm not sure if it's because this is a middle-grade title, but I found Koly's narration to be a little bit simplistic and too detached. She's also difficult to relate to. For most of the story, things just happen to her. She doesn't do a lot for herself, and when she does try, she's thwarted by the backward institutions of her society (which she completely buys into, I might add).

I also wasn't impressed with the resolution of the story. Things just fall into place, one by one, and all Koly has to do is just go with it to get her happily ever after. Yes, she had it rough in the first part of the story... but I was expecting a bit more in the way of complication in the last part. As it was, it all seemed a bit too convenient.

Let's get technical...

The writing is simple and a bit too simplistic in places. There are a number of typos and mistakes throughout the text. It wasn't the worst I've read (not even close!) but there were still enough errors to bother me.

The verdict...

I might recommend this one to its intended audience, as it depicts a very different sort of life for a teenage girl, one that Westerners might not be familiar with. But I'm afraid that the pat resolution and the way the main character just floats along on the currents of fate will probably be unsatisfying for older readers.

Quotable moment:

After the ceremony was over, and the celebration began, there was no chance to see Hari. The women were on one side of the courtyard and the men on the other. The guests seemed interested only in the food. There were potatoes with cumin, chickpeas cooked with onion and ginger, several kinds of curries, and platters of melons and mangoes. Best of all, there was my favorite sweet, coconut cakes. The men ate first, and when it was the women’s turn, the coconut cakes were all gone. I thought it very unfair that a bride should not have a coconut cake on the day of her own wedding.

Premise: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Pace: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Editing: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall Rating: 3.13 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - 5 to 1

5 to 1
by Holly Bodger
Date: 2015
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Reading level: YA
Book type: verse/prose novel
Pages: 224
Format: e-book
Source: library

Part Homeless Bird and part Matched, this is a dark look at the near future told through the alternating perspectives of two teens who dare to challenge the system.

In the year 2054, after decades of gender selection, India now has a ratio of five boys for every girl, making women an incredibly valuable commodity. Tired of marrying off their daughters to the highest bidder and determined to finally make marriage fair, the women who form the country of Koyanagar have instituted a series of tests so that every boy has the chance to win a wife.

Sudasa, though, doesn’t want to be a wife, and Kiran, a boy forced to compete in the test to become her husband, has other plans as well. As the tests advance, Sudasa and Kiran thwart each other at every turn until they slowly realize that they just might want the same thing.

This beautiful, unique novel is told from alternating points of view—Sudasa’s in verse and Kiran’s in prose—allowing readers to experience both characters’ pain and their brave struggle for hope.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

It's been a while since I've read a novel in verse.  Although 5 to 1 is not told entirely in verse, those sections remind me why I like that style of writing so much.  A lot can be said with so few words...

Please, dear author, I want some more...

This books starts out with a really interesting premise, and one that's not really that far fetched.  What happens when sex selection, skewed toward boys, starts affecting society?  When there are so many boys, they are the ones that eventually become a burden.  When there are so few girls, they become what's so highly coveted.  Under the guise of protecting these precious commodities, the leaders of Koyanagar walled off their country from the outside world, creating what they believe is a utopia... when it's actually the opposite.  Girls still end up being oppressed.  It's just in a different way.

I like how the narrative alternates between Sudasa, the wealthy girl who is supposed to choose from a group of boys who are competing for her in the Tests, and Contestant Five, a poor farm boy who doesn't want a wife and wants only to be free of Koyanagar and its laws.  Sudasa's sections, which make up the majority of the book, are written in free verse; Contestant Five's sections, which show us the flip side of what's going on, are written in prose.  I thought both of these main characters were well done; they're also both likeable, which automatically puts you on their side as they chafe against their country's laws and customs.

The concept of choice is a theme that runs throughout the book.  I like the fact that there is no romance, that the story is simply about making decisions for the right reasons... whatever you determine those to be.  It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I think if the book had veered into romance territory, it would have lost something.

It's all a matter of taste...

I think my biggest complaint with this book is that I wanted more.  More about how, exactly, Koyanagar came into existence and why it was allowed to happen.  I want to know what happens to Sudasa and Kiran after the end of the book.  I want to know what's going on outside the wall and how those people view Koyanagar.

Let's get technical...

I read this book as an EPUB, which is probably not the best way.  There's some unique formatting of words, and little marks and illustrations throughout the text.  I'm not even sure I saw everything as the author intended, due to the limitations of that format.  If you're going to read this one, I would suggest reading it in hardcover or paperback.

The verdict...

This is another strong offering in the young adult verse novel category.  Those who like dystopian fiction with an intriguing premise will probably enjoy it.

Quotable moment:

"Love won't give you a daughter,
and only a daughter
will keep you alive.

"If you think you're here to find
love,
you've missed the point of these Tests.

"You're here to find a man
to put charms on your wrist
and yira in your safe.
That's the only thing that matters
in Koyanagar."

Premise: 5/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Editing: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - A Time to Dance

A Time to Dance
by Padma Venkatraman
Date: 2014
Publisher: Penguin Books
Reading level: YA
Book type: verse novel
Pages: 320
Format: e-book
Source: library

Padma Venkatraman’s inspiring story of a young girl’s struggle to regain her passion and find a new peace is told lyrically through verse that captures the beauty and mystery of India and the ancient bharatanatyam dance form. This is a stunning novel about spiritual awakening, the power of art, and above all, the courage and resilience of the human spirit.

Veda, a classical dance prodigy in India, lives and breathes dance—so when an accident leaves her a below-knee amputee, her dreams are shattered. For a girl who’s grown used to receiving applause for her dance prowess and flexibility, adjusting to a prosthetic leg is painful and humbling. But Veda refuses to let her disability rob her of her dreams, and she starts all over again, taking beginner classes with the youngest dancers. Then Veda meets Govinda, a young man who approaches dance as a spiritual pursuit. As their relationship deepens, Veda reconnects with the world around her, and begins to discover who she is and what dance truly means to her.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Well, it had to happen sometime: I found a verse novel that I dislike.  And it's funny because I think I might have liked this book more if it had been written in prose instead.  The verse format just didn't work here.  Actually, quite a few things didn't work... but the format may have been part of the reason for those as well.

I thought the story sounded interesting, and I hoped that the Indian setting would be beautiful and evocative.  Unfortunately, the story was barely there -- this was more of a character study than anything -- and the setting wasn't described well enough for me to really get a sense of the place.  There were moments when the Indian setting came alive, but those moments weren't consistent.  As a result, large chunks of the book felt like they could have taken place anywhere.

I can overlook a lackluster plot if the characters make up for it.  In this case, they didn't.  The story is told by a teenager named Veda, who is a bharatanatyam dancer.  At the beginning of the story, she is focused on being the best and winning competitions.  We really don't know much about her, other than that.  So when she loses her right leg in a bus crash (on the way home from her triumphant win at a dance competition, no less) it quickly becomes obvious just what kind of character Veda is... and that is, not much of one.  For most of the rest of the book, there is little in the way of character development; instead, Veda becomes defined by her disability.  Strangers ask inappropriate questions in the street.  Her classmates make stump jokes.  Her old dance teacher kicks her out because she can't dance like she used to.  And Veda spends a lot of time floating through her life, feeling sorry for herself at times, but often not showing much emotion at all.

One of the biggest problems with the characters in this book was the dialogue.  I think the author was trying to make the speech poetic (perhaps to better fit with the verse novel format), but more often than not, it came across as stilted and silly.  Veda, her best friend, and her love interest -- all teenagers -- at times sounded like mature adults using very formal speech.  They spouted off such overly mature dialogue that it was unrealistic and unbelievable.  It was as if all of the characters were following some script where they said what they were supposed to say.  As a result, it came off like a school play that was written by a second grader.  One character would say how they were feeling, another would rattle off some platitude, and the first would acknowledge how right they were and thank them for making them feel better.  I just didn't buy it.

We were also treated to some forced romance.  I say forced because it was quite obvious that the relationships didn't happen organically.  The first quasi love interest was Jim, Veda's prosthetist.  Of course he's much older than her and the reader knows that nothing can come of it, but I thought, at first, that their interaction and Veda's crush were cute.  However, once the second love interest, Govinda, was introduced, I grew worried that something unrealistic or overly convenient would happen to get Jim out of the picture.  I wasn't wrong.  He went from being an altruistic, nice guy who really loved India to a condescending, distant man who couldn't wait to go back to America... and there didn't appear to be any reason for the switch, other than to highlight Govinda as the better love interest.  As for Govinda himself... I didn't like him.  He's a teenaged boy, a dancer and teacher of the beginners' class that Veda takes after her previous teacher rejects her.  Govinda is portrayed as practically perfect: handsome, kind, patient, and respectful of his parents.  He also speaks like an 80-year-old yogi.  It got a bit annoying after a while.  He was just too... nice.  Unrealistically so.

Once Govinda was in the picture, things went from bad to worse.  At one point, in the midst of a bout of phantom pain so strong that it prevented her from sleeping, Veda -- sweating and desperate -- actually prayed to Shiva for romance advice.  This was near the end of the book; had it been earlier, I probably would have laughed and tossed the book into the DNF pile.  Priorities, girl!

Overall, I was disappointed.  Had this book been written as a prose novel, with more room to develop the characters and setting, it might have worked better.  On the other hand, if the dialogue were as silly as it was here, it might not matter.  The best thing about this book is its pretty cover; unfortunately, beyond that, it fails on almost every level.

Quotable moment:

My heels strike the ground fast as fire-sparks.
Streams of sweat trickle down my neck.
My black braid lifts into the air, then whips around my waist.
Nothing else fills me with as much elation
as chasing down soaring music,
catching and pinning rhythms to the ground with my feet,
proud as a hunter rejoicing in his skill.

Recommended to: readers who enjoy foreign settings, though only if they've got good enough imaginations to fill in the gaps themselves

Plot: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Pace: 2/5
Writing & Editing: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall Rating: 2 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - The Girl in the Garden

The Girl in the Garden
by Kamala Nair
Date: 2011
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Reading level: A
Source: NetGalley

In a letter to her fiancé, a young woman shares a story of family secrets, betrayals, and tragedies.

Rakhee was only ten when her mother started receiving mysterious letters from India, letters that eventually prompted her to take her daughter back to her childhood home for the summer. Leaving behind her beloved father and pet dog in Minnesota, Rakhee is thrust into a world she barely understands, in an Indian village that time seems to have forgotten.

Soon Rakhee realizes that there is more going on than just a simple family reunion. Secrets have been hidden for years and, during that one Indian summer, they all come bubbling to the surface.

(see it on Goodreads)

I'm not sure why I chose to read this book. It's certainly a change of pace from young adult paranormal fiction! But I actually really enjoyed this story.

While The Girl in the Garden is classed as an adult book, there's really nothing in it that would prevent teenagers from enjoying it.  Nearly the entire story is seen through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl, so her understanding of events as they happen somewhat tempers the (at times) mature subject matter.

I loved the whole setting in India.  Because Rakhee was born and raised in Minnesota, everything seen through her eyes seems exotic and unusual.  The seeming unfairness of some of the cultural aspects was a bit disturbing, but not unrealistic.  I really enjoyed Rakhee's relationships with her cousins (especially Krishna, who was close to her age), and the way the characters were portrayed made it easy to tell them all apart (something that's often troublesome when there's more than one of a specific type of character, such as aunts, uncles, or cousins).

The actual "girl in the garden" aspect reminded me of the story of Rapunzel (I think it was probably supposed to, since Rapunzel was mentioned a few times).  However, it didn't seem out of place or contrived.  Pretty much everything that was included made a lot of sense in the context of the story.

The ending was a little abrupt, and was probably the weakest part of the book for me.  But the journey to get to that point was fascinating, intriguing, and even exciting at times.  Since this is a galley, I hope that there's going to be a little more editing (there were a few punctuation and grammar mistakes, all of a sudden, in the middle of the book).  But, all in all, this is definitely something I'd recommend.  Look for it in June 2011!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for providing a digital ARC.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Review - Tiger Moon

Tiger Moon
by Antonia Michaelis
translated from the German by Anthea Bell

Never heard of Tiger Moon? I hadn't, either. After finding myself thoroughly frustrated by listening to glowing online reviews (only to find that I didn't agree with the reviewers' conclusions at all), I went to our local children's bookstore to see if the salespeople there could recommend anything I might enjoy. I specifically asked for something that was well written. One of the women working there handed me this book and said it was one of her favourites. I'd never even heard the title before, but after hearing what it was about, I was intrigued.

An Indian girl named Raka finds herself sold to Ahmed Mudhi, a wealthy merchant, to be his eighth wife. The problem is, she's not a virgin, and when Ahmed Mudhi finds out, he will surely kill her. Raka spends her remaining nights telling a story to a friendly eunuch named Lalit, a fairy tale about a young thief and his white tiger on a journey to rescue a princess from her demon captor. Fantasy and reality slowly intertwine to create a tale about heroes, courage, love, and the power of stories.

I have to admit, I was a little wary going into this one because it was a translation. I'd tried reading Cornelia Funke's Inkheart years ago, and couldn't really get into it. I thought that might be because of the translation. This book was translated by the same person, so you can understand my trepidation. But perhaps it was Funke's storytelling that wasn't for me, because I didn't have any problems with the language in Tiger Moon. It didn't feel like it hadn't been written in English in the first place. The writing was beautiful and very evocative, bringing India in the early 1900s to life. I felt so immersed in the setting... the smells, the sights, the sounds. Reading this book was almost like taking a trip to another time and place (and that hasn't happened to me for a while).

The pace was excellent. The book never dragged. I wasn't as interested in Raka and Lalit's story at first, but those bits were shorter and to the point. Raka's Scheherazade-like storytelling chapters were far more interesting. That was probably due to the characters. I loved the characters in this book. They were interesting, unique, and totally different from anything I've come across in YA fiction lately. My favourite character was probably Nitish, the sacred white tiger with the talking blue eyes. Many heroes have a white horse... but Farhad got to ride a great white cat. Nitish was Farhad's constant companion throughout their journey to rescue the princess, and his observations (and insecurities) about the world were delightfully entertaining.

I have to mention the book design here. It is a beautiful book, even in paperback. The girl on the cover accurately reflects the girl in the story (no whitewashing here). The inside pages are also very pretty. The page numbers are ornamented and are placed halfway down the page, and the section breaks are decorated with Indian-themed designs. So lovely!

There were some mature themes in Tiger Moon, such as virginity and sex, so this definitely falls squarely in the young adult category. This book might also not be for the squeamish, as there are some vivid descriptions of Hindu funeral rites and cremation. But, overall, it was a great story that was well written, with characters you won't soon forget, and with just enough unanswered questions to make you keep thinking about the story long after you've finished.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

Overall: 4.8 out of 5