Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Bookalicious Tuesdays The Magic Paintbrush

Book: The Magic Paintbrush
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Joel Stewart



This story talks about a little girl Shen and her magic paintbrush. Things Shen paints with the brush comes to life. We at BZM love books with strong female characters, and Shen is one such character. She's true to herself, smart, loyal and intelligent.

We love how the story is rhyming. The illustrations, though different from any Donaldson book, are super cute. 

In Z's words: "I love how Shen draws things with her paintbrush,  and they become real".


BZM Thumbs Up:
  • Love the story, simple words and a very beautiful tale.
  • Illustrations are beautiful
  • We love Shen

BZM Thumbs Down:
  • None. 

A perfect score for a beautiful tale 10/10 BZMs

You can purchase your copy here:


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Bookalicious Tuesdays - A peek into my childhood as a reader

This post is not the regular 'Bookalicious Tuesdays' post, because, I'm not doing any book review, instead I'm taking you through my growing up years ... let us talk about my 'romance with books'.



In the early years of a person's life, parents (family) and school plays a huge role. I was blessed with a set of parents who bought us lots of books. AJ (My dad) used to get books back from his trips abroad, because, in India, back in the 80's, we didn't have access to so many good books. I remember, our parents, never forced us to read, both mom and dad, as well as my older sister used to read and it just became a part of my life. In fact one of the TV shows we were totally excited about was Faerie Tale Theatre, which used to come on DD on Sundays, the other favorite was Jungle Book (both are based on BOOKS).

I started reading pretty early, imitating my older sister. I took all her books, all her books became 'OUR' books when I was born. So basically a lot many days from my childhood were spent surrounded with books.

I spent early years of my childhood in La Martiniere Girls school, Lucknow. Reading was a part of our daily school life. I did a lot of theatre in school, and when we were younger, a lot of our plays were based on famous books. 

As I grew, my love for books became stronger. I was never told 'Don't you have anything better to do?'  My demands for books always met with a big 'YES'. You know what I used to do when I got my books, smell through the pages. I love the smell of a new book. I still do that... as I rip apart the package the first thing I do is smell the pages.

I married someone who loved reading as much, he introduced me to some of his favorites, which were Awesome, and which became one of the best I have read. The Kite Runner, Tuesdays with Morrie, Not Penny More Not Penny Less... the list goes on.

After becoming a mum, what I found again, was  how much I love Picture Books and how I have missed them in all these years. Since, I can't become a child again, I decided... 'what the hell' why do I have to be a child again to fall in love with Picture books. I fell in love with picture books one page at a time, as I explored them with Z. That is when I started MLCB.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

A Bookalicious Tuesday : Zoe and Beans: The Magic Hoop

Hello People,
We have changed the format of our Bookalicious Tuesdays. The reviews would be more detailed now. Do let us know what you felt about the format.

Book : Zoe and Beans: The Magic Hoop (Part of the Zoe and Beans series)
Written and illustrated by Chloe and Mick Inkpen


The series revolve around a girl called Zoe and her dog - Beans. This particular book talks about a Magic Hoop, that Zoe has found. This hoop has the power to transform things. Zoe would like to see the magic turn true, and who can be her best guinea pig? Beans of course. The story tells us what happens when Beans transforms from a dog to a rabbit and crocodile and towards the end an elephant. What happens when the big fat Beans gets too big for the hoop.


In Z's words (After our book reads we discuss the books and this section tell us how a 4 year old looks at the book): I like the book and the pictures, it is a funny book. Zoe should jump in the hoop and see what happens.

BZM Thumbs up:
  • The relationship between Zoe and Beans is portrayed nicely.
  • The illustrations are beautiful and real.
  • Zoe is very real.
  • It is pretty gender neutral book and kids between 2-5 will enjoy it.
  • Kids will like it because the humour is extremely childlike. 
  • It also in a way emphasizes on the importance of being your self.
BZM Thumbs down:
Nothing in particular, but I prefer the other books in this series, this is very simple. I keep this one below Pants on the Moon! and Zoe's Christmas List

BZM Meh!:


The story is fairly simple, though fun. Chances of repeated readings are less.

It isn't no ordinary hoop, but we would give it 8/10 BZMs

You can purchase your copy here:

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

A Bookalicious Tuesday : The Paper Dolls

Book:  The Paper Dolls
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrations: Rebecca Cobb
For ages: 3-6 years

 

Why we picked it and what was our reaction: I heard about this on a group on Facebook. Since we have to pick a Julia Donaldson book by default, we had to order this one too. I LOVED it the moment I saw its cover. I used to make paper dolls as a child and I loved the fact I can introduce the concept of Paper dolls to Z. It is a very simple book, but it is a book you will immediately connect with. I love the story and the illustrations by Rebecca Cobb are simple but stunning at the same time.



BZM Take: We love it, we also have a song. We read and sing the book. Z has to read it every alternate day. This book beautifully portrays the relationship between a mom and daughter. Z actually says, the little girl in the book is 'Mumsy' and her daughter in the end is Z.

BZM gives The Paper Dolls a Perfect 10 (can we give more)


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