Celebrating Ramadan with BZM

I wanted to tell Z about Ramadan, and I found this beautiful idea on http://modestmunchies.com/49-ways-to-get-kids-involved-in-…

So I developed a calendar for Z, Ramadan starts on 19th of July Insha'Allah. Due to my work schedule and Z's school, I won't be able to follow a daily schedule ( I would've loved to do that) guess this is good to start with.

Ramadan Mubarak everyone!

Bookalicious Tuesdays: Rainbow Fish

Name: Rainbow Fish
Author: Marcus Pfister

Z, like most kids her age, can be a bit selfish at times. She went into this "my space, my books, my toys, my parents" zone sometime back. I immediately thought of the Rainbow Fish. A beautiful book by Marcus Pfister, a beautiful story about a sparkly, multicolored fish, which is a little selfish. He loves his sparkly scales and doesn't want to share them with anyone. Till a wise octopus shows him the right path.

Will the Rainbow Fish mend his ways and make some friends?

In Z's words: I like it because the blue fish has so many special shiny scales, they are glittering. I also like it because I like sharing, just like rainbow fish… (this second sentence is not entirely true). The book was listed in the must read list Z shared recently.

BZM Thumbs up:

• The story(simple, beautiful)
• Illustrations
• Any child will connect with the Rainbow Fish
• Adults will love the story too

BZM Thumbs down:

• None

BZM gives Rainbow Fish a perfect 10

See this amazing read aloud here:

 

Bookalicious Tuesdays - Ismat's Eid

Book: Ismat's Eid:
Author: Fawzia Gilani-Williams
Illustrator: Proiti Roy

 

Z has liked very few books published in India, but she loves Ismat's Eid. The story is an adaptation of a Turkish tale (I guess I read it in school). I love the hilarious tale of a shoemaker who gets pants for eid, they are 'four fingers too long'. Everyone seems too busy to help him, everyone has something to do for the big day tomorrow. The tailor, Ismat's wife, Yasmeen; his mum, Habiba and his daughter, Mahjabeen have their respective chores to attend to.

This tale is super funny and Z loves it.

In Z's words: I love Ismat's eid because it makes me laugh... A lot.

BZM Thumbs Up:

• Love the story, simple and funny
• Love the narration
• I also like the fact, that Fawzia Gilani has explained a few Urdu words which kids and many parents might not understand.
• It is repetitive which works very well with kids, they start connecting with events.
• It teaches kids about making small adjustments and being happy in a very subtle (non-preachy) way.

BZM Thumbs Down:

• I like the book a lot, so I don't have any issues whatsoever.

BZM gives Ismat's Eid 9/10 stars. 

Bookalicious Tuesdays Amelia Bedelia Collection

Book: Amelia Bedelia Collection (we have 4 books in Z's library and 5 in our Reading Room, this post revolves around the books Z has)

Author:  Peggy Parish (for budding readers) and Herman Parish (for budding and independent readers)

Z and me love funny stories, and Amelia Bedelia is one of the funniest ones we have read. It is a book I read while growing up, and I passed the love for Amelia Bedelia to Zoe. The books are perfect for budding readers and besides being funny it builds your child's vocabulary as well.

**Some Wiki-Trivia "Amelia Bedelia is the protagonist and title character of a series of American children's books written by Peggy Parish until her death in 1988, and by her nephew Herman Parish beginning in 1995." I like both the versions, the later is are available also as chapter book for independent readers.

Books Z has

Peggy Parish's Version

Herman Parish's Budding Reader's Version

Herman Parish's Independent Reader's Version

In Z's Words: "I love Amelia Bedelia because she does all funny things, like she makes no baby food and she gives ketchup to babies." **referring to her latest read Amelia Bedelia and the Baby.

BZM Thumbs Up:

• Love the fun quotient
• The illustrations in both the versions are adorable
• Stories are funny yet simple

BZM Thumbs Down:

• Parents of boys might not pick this one because the protagonist is a female, I suggest please rent it and read it... you wouldn't regret it a bit.

Funny story which is totally repeatable, you will feel sorry for poor Amelia Bedelia and love her to bits. A perfect score

Bookalicious Tuesdays Before I was your Mother

Book: Before I Was Your Mother
Author: Kathryn Lasky
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham

Mothers Day is just around the corner, and I had to review this book. What better occasion than doing it for Mothers Day. The story revolves around Katie and her mum. For Katie, her mother is just her mom. Things change when Mamma takes Katie into her world, before she was a mother. The times when she bossed on her brothers, practiced ballet and wore boots to bed. Mamma talks about her best friend and her dog, also about how they put a circus up in their backyard.

I love the fact that the author has shown a mom can be much more than being a mum, she can be as normal as anyone else. She can do silly things, have dreams and aspirations.

In Z's Words: "I love when Mamma says, I was not always your mamma"

BZM Thumbs Up: 

• The conversation between the mother and Katie is very similar to what happens between Z and me.
• The text is simple, yet it is magical
• I love the dash of humour throughout. 
• Overall I love the narration and story.

BZM Thumbs Down:

• None

An amazing story about the beautiful bond between a mom and child gets a perfect 10/10

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:

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.

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:

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)

A Bookalicious Tuesday : Alphabet Dressup ABC

Book:  Alphabet Dressup ABC
Author: Nalini Sorensen
Illustrations: Shraddha Pimputkar
For ages: 3-5 years

Why we picked it and what was our reaction: I usually do not pick any Indian publications, just because Z and me haven't taken much liking for them as yet. Books by Fun OK Please are an exception though. I loved the illustrations and concept, hence I picked the book up immediately. The fact that Z is a huge fan of dressing up herself also helped. She doesn't need a costume, she fetches something from around the house and uses her imagination. That is exactly what the book promotes and we love it.

BZM Take: The first thing that we noticed were the super cute illustrations by  Shraddha Pimputkar. This book is super creative and so much fun. 

Being a phonetic trainer, I don't pick many books which use alphabets, because they do not give importance to sound... I can't just tell Z, X is for xylophone for example, just yet. This books is phonetically correct as well. We love the fact that the illustrations in the book are pretty gender neutral. This was a huge plus for me as a mum. 

You can play as you read, one needs to find hidden sounds on each page. There is another game in the end, which adds up to the fun.

The book is associated with The Cuddles Foundation, which works with children whose life has been affected by cancer.

BZM gives Alphabet Dressup ABC an 8/10

BZM Bookalicious Tuesdays - Corduroy

Another book I read as a child and now I'm reading it to Z. I love reliving my childhood with Z.

Book:  Corduroy
Author: Don Freeman
For ages: 3-5 years

Why we picked it and what was our reaction: We had to, I never miss a chance of reading a book I enjoyed as a child to Z. I was just waiting for the right time.

BZM Take: I have loved Corduroy and Z likes it as well. I tell her a little story after every page we read in the book and Z loves it. I have so many memories associated with the book. The book has lovely 'old school' illustrations, the story is simple yet beautiful. What I love about the book is its honesty and simplicity.

BZM gives Corduroy a 9/10, its not Z's absolute favorite (I wanted to give it a perfect 10, but let us be fair)