The Word Route

Author: Bhakti Mathur Illustrator: Maulshree Somani This is the part 1 in the Krishna Trilogy written by Bhakti Mathur. Amma Tell Me About Krishna is a part of the Amma Tell Me series of books where a boy called Klaka loves hearing stories on every Indian culture and festival celebrated in India. In this trilogy too, the author has chosen Klaka as a listener and his mom as a narrator of this age old mythological tales from Krishna’s birth to his adulthood. Illustrator Maulshree Somani’s beautifully sketched story of Krishna’s birth, supported by Bhakti Mathur’s excellent yet simple narration of this age-old mythological tale, is sure to touch your child’s heart. It is the Janmashtami festival and Klaka has enjoyed watching preparations in the temple for the birth of Krishna. He has witnessed the traditional dahi handi – a sport played by boys who form a pyramid and compete to break a mud pot hung at a height. The revelry and colours splashed across his community has l...

I have been a bookworm and books were my best friends since childhood. I intended to do the same for my son. There is a saying: Catch 'em young! I still remember being gifted many small board books when my son was born and, some when he turned 6 months. My first response when I got these books was: how will this tiny bundle understand what books are, let alone words or language or illustrations in it! It was a time when I was doing extensive research online and discovered that books can be introduced as early as 3 months.  Having said that, I still attempted to open and keep books in front of my six month old. The first time, he took them in his hand very professionally (holding it and keeping it in front of his face), and decided to utilize his gross motor skills and tore a book. The matronly instinct in me made me take away the book away from him and scold him. After that I made sure I hand books to him only if I am sitting with him. Mommy instincts & “let-go” appro...