Shrilok Homeless - Book Review

Book Review

This book by Pika Nani is based on the similar lines as Conan Doyle's Sherlok Holmes 

but the cases are adapted to present day Mumbai.

Description :

No case is bizarre enough for detective Shrilok, a chaiwala with a penchant for deduction,

 disguises and drama, and his partner in crime, Rohan Doctor. Be it a hand turning up in a

 steel lunchbox, a stolen rose diamond reappearing in a vada pav, a selfie-scandal in 

Bollywood, the Red Signal League of blind beggars or the dogs of Bhaskarville disappearing 

into the fog, the duo is sure to nab the suspects. They crack ten thrilling cases, no problem,

 but will Shrilok be a match for his nemesis, Masterji, in his ultimate encounter?"

Review :

This book is a short collection of 10 detective cases divided into short stories. The writing 

style of the author is simple and lucid. The characters are well created.

Overall it is a good book to introduce to detective series to young children. I have read her

 Shrilok Homeless Volume 2 and I quite enjoyed reading the book.  I must say that I wasn't disappointed reading this book either. It is a very quick and easy read. You can read it in one 

day. It is appropriate for kids 11 years and above.

About the Author :

Pika Nani is the author of 'The Adventures of Shrilok Homeless' (2017, Penguin Random House) and 'Little Indians' - Stories from across the country' (2013, Tulika books)
'Pika Nani' is a pen name from the writer's childhood.

Rating : 4/5


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How to be a good Story Teller

In my previous posts, I talked about Storytelling, its Benefits (here) and Techniques of Storytelling (here).

I love telling stories to my son, niece and nephew. It is  lovely to see them engrossed in the story and enjoy themselves.There's a reason why so many people flock to the movies or spend hours reading novels – it's because we love to get lost in a good story. And if you ever listen to a good conversation, you'll notice that a lot of connection happens when people share stories with each other.

Here  are some tips which will help you become a good story teller.

1. Pick a main character your child will love:

Small children love it when you tell them about someone or something they already know because it helps them to relate better. For example, it can be your pet, his favourite toy, some family member etc.

2.  Add some dramatic effects :

Part of making it dramatic is creating an element of surprise. When something dramatic is about to happen, you can pause a little to let the momentum build. You can also add in some extra details to make it more enjoyable. For example, if the Bear was eating lunch, you can say that the Bear was eating a peanut butter sandwich. These extra details will help to keep kids attention.

3. Holding Interest :

Children do not have a large attention span. It is very difficult to hold their attention for a long time. So you have to be careful that your story is not too long .

4. Create a Plot :

If you are making an imaginary story, crate a plot before hand and you can add something extra ordinary , like going to a fantasy land. You can also have your main character have a hobby or some activity that your child likes. This way he can relate to the story easily and it can be a learning activity as well.

5.  Learn a story that has some repetitive element :

The easiest way to tell a story smoothly is to learn some story which has some repetitive element which makes it easier for you to narrate the story. For example, in The Three Little Pigs, The wolf Huffs and Puffs each time he tries to blow down the house.

6. If there are more children , you can make them a part of the story :

If you are telling a story to a group of more than 4 children, you can get a few children to be the characters of the story. You can use your imagination to make their costumes and make the whole story telling process a wonderful experience for the kids.

7. Make them do an activity after the story :

Kids love to do activities. After telling them the story you can do some simple activities related to the story, like colouring, counting activity or a craft. By doing activities, the kids tend to remember the story better.

Do you like telling stories to children ? Please share in comments.

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Techniques of Story Telling

In the previous post I had talked about story telling and its benefits. (here )

Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener's imagination. It is an ancient art that extends around the globe.

You can make your story telling experience more enjoyable, interactive and knowledgeable by using the following techniques :

1. Tell the story like you talk :

This technique is very simple. Talk like you normally talk to children as if you are having a conversation with them.

2. Story telling with Movement :

Story telling with movement makes it possible for children to physically participate in the story. You can encourage your child to make a specific gesture or sound when they hear a specific word. You can even involve pretend play in your story telling. For example, in The Little Red Riding Hood Story he can be the wolf .

3. Story telling with props /accessories :

Story telling with props and accessories is always a lot of fun. For example, for the Hansel and Gretel Story, you can make the Witch's house with candies and chocolates. For The Little Red Riding Hood story, you can have a recipe of baked goods, a picture of the wolf or you can dress up Like the Little Red Riding Hood.

4. Story telling with a magnetic board :

The greatest advantage of using this method is that it makes it possible for children to tell stories in their own words and involves their favorite characters.

5. Story Telling with puppets :

Children love puppets. You can either make the puppets yourself or you can buy them online or from the market.

6. Storytelling using picture clues :

Picture clue stories involve a combination of words and pictures. They are great for developing reading skills. Even if children are unable to read actual words, they can participate in the act of storytelling.

7.  Involve them :

You can ask your child what he thinks would happen next. Let him think and explore his imagination .

These are some simple techniques that you can use for story telling and make the whole experience enjoyable for your child.

In the next post, I will discuss how to be good story teller .

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Why is story telling important for children ?

What is story telling ?

Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener's imagination. It is an ancient art that extends around the globe.

It  can be used as a method to teach ethics, values and cultural norms and differences. 

History of story telling :

Storytelling predates writing. The earliest forms of storytelling were usually oral combined with gestures and expressions. Some stories have lasted hundreds and thousands of years and are still being told.We are surrounded by stories everyday, be it in the form of news, movie, song, etc.

Storytelling describes the social and cultural activity of sharing stories, sometimes with improvisation, theatrics, or embellishment. Every culture has its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values. Reading to a child can increase their willingness to express themselves and communicate their thoughts and feelings. 

Benefits of story telling :

1. Improves Language Skills:

When babies and toddlers listen to stories, they get the chance to listen to lots of words in a unique way, which helps to expand their vocabulary.

2 Improves listening skills :

Telling stories helps children to improve their listening skills. When a story is narrated to a child , he concentrates and listens to what the story teller is saying.

3. Boosts Memory:

It helps to improve memory especially when the images are present while story telling a story. The child has to remember the facts ,which in turn boosts the memory.

4. Builds Curiosity :

It builds curiosity in a child's mind when you pause while narrating the story. He becomes eager to know what will happen next which helps in the over all brain development of the child.

5. Improves cognitive skills:

Storytelling forces children to think and imagine out of the box which improves the cognitive skills of a child.

6. Makes them empathetic :

Stories can teach a child to be sensitive towards others by being in their place.

7. Makes your imagination grow :

Stories help children to imagine a lot of scenarios which are not common in their day to day lives.The children can imagine a fantasy land or dream of a jungle full of chocolates !

8. Inculcates good morals and ethics in children :

There are a lot of stories which teach children to be honest, kind, punctual, respect their elders.

9. Improves Communication:

A lot of times, children hesitate to ask questions. By telling stories we give a platform to children not hesitate and ask a lot of questions, which improves communication skills.

10. Helps in facing a difficult situation:

There are a lot of stories where the main character has to face a lot of difficulties to reach a certain goal. These stories become great examples for children in their day to day lives to overcome difficult situations.

11.Enhances cultural understanding:

By telling stories, children get introduced to a lot of new cities, countries and people which helps them to understand various traditions, values and experiences.

12. Improves relationship :

The special time that you spend with your child helps in improving your bond with your child and builds a strong relationship.

 Methods of story telling coming up in the next post. Stay Tuned !

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Adulting - Book Review

Book Review 

Book Name - Adulting
Author - Neharika Gupta @neharikagupta23
Publisher - @harpercollinsin
Format - Paperback
Genre - Fiction / Romance

What really attracted me to the book was the title and the cover. I must say that I wasn't disappointed at all.

The story is about three people - Tejas, Ruhi and Aisha. Aisha - the social media manager is smart, flirt and flamboyant. She is worried about being fat and body shaming. Ruhi, her friend is completely different. What keeps her keeps her going are her ambitions and her writer boyfriend, Tejas. Tejas leans on Ruhi for emotional and professional support but gets carried away by Aisha. In the middle of all this he completely ignores his work commitments.

Do you think will Ruhi and Tejas get back together again? Or Tejas and Aisha become the hot and happening couple? To know more read the book.

Review :

I loved the fact that the book was fast paced. Narration was crisp and simple . The characters and the story are relatable as this is what is happening in our society today.

The book is full of ups and downs. You will laugh, enjoy and feel the pain at the same time while reading. Apart from being a love story, it emphasis on friendship and struggle.

Overall a quick and enjoyable read. Perfect for the weekends!

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5

About the Author :

Neharika writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry.She worked as an editor for a year before deciding to take the quill in her own hands. Neharika is passionate about food and travel writing. In her free time she enjoys writing poetry and scuba diving around the world. Neharika graduated from Bath Spa University’s Creative Writing MA in 2015 with an overall Merit score and Distinctions in both her poetry modules.

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I Will Forget You Too - Book Review

Book review 

Book Name - I will forget you too

Author         - Abhilash Aman

Publisher    - White Falcon Publishing 

Genre         - Fiction / Romance 

Description :

Rules will never stop you from loving someone; they can't. But they will stop you from living the love; yes, they will. My heart and soul are still somewhere waiting at the stairs or maybe in the corridor of our school as if she’d come someday and say, "let’s walk together till the last. Let’s not measure the consequences this time; let’s not fear."

It's the story of a boy who falls in love with a girl. In love, he gradually begins to change. He begins to like everything associated with the girl. People say love never happens twice. But it happened to him, although for the same girl, again and again. Find out if the girl loved him back? If they ever got together? This book is a must read for those who want to relive their first love, the purest form indeed.

Review :

I thought that the book was easy and simple to read. I finished reading it in a day. The story line
is simple. I could relate to it because as teenagers all of us go through flings in school, some
tend to be serious affairs and some just time pass affairs which fizzle out by the time you go
to college.

I love the way, the author described strong friendship in a very good way. the emotions that
Abhilash went through were also very real. Overall a good book.

The cover of the book is attractive which reminds you of the school days. The language is
simple and easy to understand without any twists and turns. 

About the author :

 Author is a Senior Software Engineer who is an NIT Patna Alumnus. He is also interested in
poetry. He calls himself an engineer by profession, an author by passion and a poet by emotion.

Rating  - 4/5 

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Why is finger painting important for toddlers ?

Benefits of Finger Painting for Toddlers

I love to paint and explore different mediums of colour. I have used water colour, fabric colour , poster colour and oil paints on canvas. It makes my mood soar and fly. Painting gives expression to my thoughts.

I want my son to learn painting too.I started doing a lot of painting activities with T when he was a baby. Finger painting is our favourite activity.

Young children love messy play. This gives them  opportunity to use their hands and finger freely to create whatever they want. There are a lot of sensory experiences going on during this time which are very important for your little one to experience.

You do not have to create a big fancy painting set up for your child. All you need is a sheet of paper and some paints. These days the paints which are available in the market are also non toxic. even if they put their fingers in their mouth, it won't harm them

Benefits of Finger Painting :

1. It is easy for little babies to to paint with their fingers as their fingers are not yet ready to hold the brush.
2. The child learns to express his feelings on paper.
3. It stimulates your child's senses ( touch, feel ,see , taste - edible colours )
4. It helps in child's intellectual development.While painting, a child uses a variety of colours, so it is helpful in colour recognition. It is pure joy to see when they mix two colours to form a third colour. It is like magic for a child.
5. One of the most essential benefit of finger painting is that it promotes hand eye co-ordination and control.
6. It helps to create spatial awareness and muscle control, if the painting is done on the floor.
7. It promotes social skills, like sharing pots ,working together as team.
8. Develops communication skill when finger painting is done a s a group activity.
9. Studies have shown that it is a relaxing, therapeutic way to express feelings.
10. It is MESSY, which means it is a lot of FUN too.
11. It improves their fine motor skills, strengthens fingers and hand muscles.

Must read ,how to get toddlers to do painting to get some some wonderful tips 

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