Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts

Tuesday, 2 June 2026

Learning Through Literature: Reflections on Nature, Empathy, and Personal Growth -Ms. Rekha Sharma

The book reading sessions of My Family and Other Animals with Brinda Ma’am and शामली में ठहरा वक़्त और अन्य कहानियाँ with Manisha Ma’am were highly engaging and intellectually enriching.

My Family and Other Animals introduced me to a world where curiosity, observation, and a deep connection with nature become important sources of learning. Gerald Durrell’s experiences demonstrate how children learn best when they are encouraged to explore their surroundings and develop a sense of wonder about the natural world. The book highlights the value of experiential learning, observation, and respect for all living beings, reminding teachers that education extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. The work is widely recognised for its celebration of nature, childhood curiosity, and learning through real-life experiences. The reading from शामली में ठहरा वक़्त और अन्य कहानियाँ offered a different yet equally meaningful perspective. From the excerpts shared, the narrative reflects the complexities of human emotions, personal responsibilities, and the difficult choices individuals face as they balance professional commitments with family obligations. The protagonist’s inner conflict over caring for a child prompted me to reflect on empathy, accountability, and the importance of human relationships. As a teacher, I felt that such stories help readers understand real-life situations, develop emotional intelligence, and appreciate the moral dimensions of everyday decisions. Literature of this kind encourages self-reflection and nurtures sensitivity toward others.

Overall, both sessions reinforced my belief that reading literature is a powerful educational experience. While one book inspired curiosity, environmental awareness, and a love for learning, the other deepened my understanding of human emotions and social responsibilities. As a teacher, I found these readings particularly valuable because they promote critical thinking, empathy, and holistic development. They reminded me that good literature not only informs but also shapes attitudes, values, and perspectives, making it an essential tool for meaningful learning and personal growth.

Regards,

Ms. Rekha Sharma
Teacher
Sunbeam School, Mau

Exploring Nature, Literature, and Learning Through My Good School Sessions - Sunbeam School, Ballia

Today’s session began with the Good School Alliance Anthem, followed by a brief review of reflections from previous sessions.

Session by Brinda Ma’am

In the first session, we explored the book My Family and Other Animals. Brinda Ma’am read the story beautifully, explained unfamiliar words, and clarified our doubts. One of the most exciting parts was when Roger tried to catch an owl, but the owl attacked him. Frightened, Roger shook the bird off and hid under the table, refusing to come out until Ulysses was safely back in his basket. The story was adventurous, engaging, and enjoyable.

Session by Jugiv Sir

Jugiv Sir’s session was both informative and enjoyable. He first introduced the My Good School Alliance platform to the new students. He then continued reading from his book, What Are You Looking For Is in the Library. Sir discussed the previous chapters before moving ahead with the story, making it easy for everyone to connect with the narrative. The session was very interesting and interactive.

Session by Manisha Ma’am

In this session, we discussed Surang (सुरंग), a chapter written by Ruskin Bond. Manisha Ma’am explained that the story revolves around a boy who observes a tunnel and appreciates the beauty of the surrounding nature. Her explanation helped us understand the deeper connection between the character and his surroundings. The session was insightful and enriching.

At the end of the programme, Ma’am shared some valuable thoughts on reflection and learning.
Thank you. 😊
Talat Bano

Today’s My Good School session was very interesting and informative.

Brinda Ma’am read an excerpt from My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. In the story, Gerald found a tiny owlet that was the size of a teacup. At first, the owlet remained distant and did not show much affection. Gerald’s dog tried to befriend it, and gradually, the owlet also became attached to Gerald. It would go out hunting at night and return shortly afterwards, showing its growing trust in him.

During the session, we learned many new and challenging words that helped improve our vocabulary. We also came across the names of different flowers and animals, which made the story more interesting and educational. We learned about porpoises and discovered that they are similar to dolphins. Brinda Ma’am also introduced us to the famous Tintin books and encouraged us to read them.

The session helped us learn more about nature, animals, and literature in an enjoyable way. Overall, it was an engaging, enriching, and memorable learning experience.

Ishika Singh
Class 10-B

Sunday, 31 May 2026

Exploring Nature, Wildlife, and Literature Through Inspiring Storie - Sunbeam School, Ballia


Session by Brinda Ma’am

Today, during the My Good School session, Brinda Ma’am read the story “My Family and Other Animals”. We learned about many different insects and other creatures. We also learned about a profession in which a person studies dead animals. In the story, Gerald got a new tutor named Peter, who was from Oxford. Gerald described him as quick-tempered, but later, because of the island’s peaceful environment, Peter became more relaxed and calm.

The story was very interesting and enjoyable. Brinda Ma’am also discussed the wildlife sanctuary established by Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, Gujarat. It was a wonderful session, and we learned many new things about nature and wildlife.

Ishika Singh, Class 10-B

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Session by Brinda Ma’am

In today’s session, we explored the story My Family and Other Animals. Through the story, we learned about many different creatures and insects. We also learned about a profession in which people study dead animals. We followed Gerald’s adventures as he got a new tutor, Peter, from Oxford. Gerald initially described Peter as quick-tempered, but the island’s peaceful environment gradually made him calmer.

The story was adventurous, enjoyable, and full of interesting facts about nature and wildlife. Towards the end of the session, Brinda Ma’am also discussed the wildlife sanctuary established by Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The session was informative and engaging, and helped us learn many new things.

Session by Jugiv Sir

In this session, we were introduced to the book What You Are Looking For Is in the Library. It was a very interesting and informative story. We learned several new words and improved our vocabulary because Sir read the story clearly and beautifully. At the end of the session, he asked us many questions, which made the session more interactive and enjoyable.
The session was wonderful and engaging, enriching our understanding of language and literature.

Session by Manisha Ma’am

In this session, we listened to a story by Ruskin Bond and enjoyed it a lot. During the session, Ma’am asked many thought-provoking questions that encouraged us to think deeply about the story. The session was enjoyable, informative, and highly interactive.

Talat Bano

Friday, 15 May 2026

Reading for Awareness - Sunbeam English School, Bhagwanpur

Today, in my Good School session, we went through the story My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. We began with the adventure of Larry, the author’s brother, who was so scared that he rarely touched the matchbox again. Later, because the author had done this, he was sent to receive more education, as his mother thought that he was not educated enough.

The story also described the Belgian Consul who was teaching him French. While the Consul was teaching, he suddenly took out his air rifle, loaded it, and shot at something outside the window. Instead of continuing the French lesson properly, the Consul became distracted, remained sad for some time, and then returned to the lesson as if nothing had happened.

After that, we discussed the stories written by writers of Jujutsu Kaisen and other authors. Our teacher also gave us notes in our books.

We then moved on to the story What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. We started with the character Futaba, the baby of the family, and learned how books and strategies can help people become better and positively influence young girls.

We also started working with Madam Mizue. That is all from my side for today.
Shaisti Prasad, VIII A

In today’s Sunday school session, we read the story My Family and Other Animals: The Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell. In this story, we read about a hardworking scorpion mother who carried all the food herself on the special occasion of Mother’s Day. Reading this was a great pleasure.

The most interesting part of the story for me was about the British Consul who loved cats. As an animal lover and a cat lover myself, I really enjoyed this part of the story.

After that, Jugjiv Sir discussed the books we had read and the writers behind them. I also learned how books are published. From the story, I learned many new words, such as “chromium,” “ensemble,” and several others. We also learned about a place called Terisquater, which is known as a place of Zeus.

I loved the way Brinda Madam narrated the story because it helped improve our communication skills and introduced us to many new vocabulary words.

Then Jugjiv Sir read a story from What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. He asked us why reading in a library feels better and how we honestly feel while reading there. I shared that I feel calm, comfortable, and peaceful in a library because of the silence and quiet atmosphere.

Another amazing part of the session was learning about a room that was around 90–100 feet long. Sir explained that every kind of work has equal value and that anyone can achieve success through effort and dedication.

Today’s session was truly inspiring and a wonderful learning experience for me. I especially enjoyed the way our teachers interacted with us and narrated stories in such an attractive and entertaining manner.
Gauri Agarwal,  IXC

Today, we read a story called “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari.” The story was about a truck driver who drove on the highway every day. One day, the truck suddenly stopped because there were no trees or greenery around. This made everyone realise how important nature is in our lives.

The story taught us that without trees and greenery, life would become difficult and accidents could happen. Trees and nature help us in many ways, so we should always protect and preserve them.

We should plant more trees and take care of nature. Nature gives us life, fresh air, and beauty. The story also teaches us to be kind, helpful, and caring, just as nature itself is.

The main message of the story was the importance of saving nature and protecting the environment. The story “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari” was beautifully read and explained by Manisha Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir.
Jayesha Kaur Sarna, VIII

Today, we read a story called “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari.” The story was read by Manisha Ma’am. It was about a man named Natthu, who looked very young and healthy.

Natthu and his friend were going on a road trip. During the journey, one of his friends asked why he was driving slowly. Natthu explained that pollution and deforestation were harming the environment and making it unsafe.

From this story, I learned that we should not cut trees or harm nature. Instead, we should plant more trees and protect our environment. The story gave us an important message about caring for nature and keeping our surroundings green and clean.

The story was very interesting and meaningful, and it was wonderfully explained by Manisha Ma’am.
Pratyush Agrawal, VII

In today’s school session, we continued reading the book My Family and Other Animals. Today, we read that Larry now has a phobia of matchboxes and never wants to touch them again. This scene was really funny and enjoyable.

In the next scene, we were introduced to the Belgian Consul, who was a representative of the Belgian government and a big cat lover. He owned several Persian cats. I also learned many new words, such as:

● Dolefully
● Amicably
● Quashed
● ...and many more.

We also discussed Napoleon Bonaparte. We learned that Napoleon was a great French military leader and ruler who demonstrated the true nature of a dictatorship. Overall, I really enjoyed the session; it was very informative. I would like to thank Jugjiv Sir and Brinda Ma’am.

In the next Hindi session, we read “Ek Tinke Ki Aakhri Sawari” (एक तिनके की आख़िरी सवारी). In this story, we learned valuable life lessons and understood that we should not cut plants; instead, we should plant more trees and preserve our Mother Earth.

As today was Mother’s Day, Sandeep Sir explained to us the real meaning of motherhood.

In conclusion, I would really like to thank Manisha Ma’am and Sandeep Sir for this interesting session.
Samiksha Jaiswal, VII – G

Saturday, 2 May 2026

Observing Nature Through Words- Akanksha Rai

Today’s session was quite insightful. We read a chapter about a tortoise from My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. The reading helped me understand how a writer can describe a scene authentically by closely observing even the smallest details. The author’s careful depiction of the tortoise’s daily life showed how deeply he observed nature. I also found the description of the surroundings very vivid—green myrtles, heather, and cypress trees covering the hills created a beautiful and lively picture in my mind.

Another interesting part was the introduction of the three guests who visited the author’s house. Each had a unique personality—the artist who came to paint in the orchard, the man who fell ill from an allergy to horses, and the girl who had just recovered from erysipelas. When I researched further, I learned that erysipelas is a bacterial skin infection that causes redness and swelling.

Along with the reading, Sandeep Sir made the session even more engaging by showing different retreat flipchart videos. He also explained the concept of “My Good School” and its vision in a very inspiring way.

Akanksha Rai
Class 10-B

Saturday, 25 April 2026

Literature and meaningful lessons - Sunbeam School Lahartara

Sunbeam School Lahartara
“My Good School session with Brinda Ghosh on My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell was a rich and engaging example of how literature can bring together humour, observation, and meaningful life lessons. The episode of Larry inviting guests without planning highlights a familiar and relatable family conflict: his carefree, impractical attitude contrasts sharply with Mother’s sense of responsibility and concern. This dynamic not only adds humour to the narrative but also reflects how different personalities coexist and adapt within a family.” Samriddhi Banerjee

Read the wonderful reflections from Sunbeam School, Lahartara, where the students share their joy of reading the book My Family and Other Animals with Brinda Ghosh. Literature can bring together humour and lead us with meaningful lessons. 

Friday, 24 April 2026

A Peaceful Journey into Literature

Today’s session was calm, engaging, and full of learning. Brinda ma’am read from My Family and Other Animals, and the way she explained the story made it easy to understand and enjoyable. She helped us with difficult words and provided a clear summary, which made the chapter more interesting, especially for new students.

The discussion about mummies, animals, swallows, and birds made the session more interactive and broadened my understanding beyond just the text.

In the chapter, we also saw how Larry invited eight of his friends, which created a lively situation and even led to a short argument with his mother. This part showed the family dynamics in a realistic and slightly humorous way.

Overall, the session felt peaceful and informative, and it helped me connect better with the story and its characters.

Ishika Singh
Class 10-B
Sunbeam School, Ballia

Friday, 6 February 2026

Learning from Stories: Small Beginnings, Big Lessons - Sunbeam School, Ballia

In today’s reading session, Jugjiv Sir and Neelashi Ma’am completed a chapter about a narrator who feels unsure about life and the future. Inspired by the book Guri and Gura, the narrator learns patience and persistence as they repeatedly try to make a castella cake. After many failures, the narrator finally succeeds, gains confidence, and learns to keep improving step by step. The story teaches that hard work, patience, and learning from mistakes prepare us for future opportunities. Life is a journey of patience, practice, kindness, and self-discovery. When we keep learning and moving forward without fear, we may one day find our own “giant egg.”

Later, Manisha Ma’am held a quiz to guess the story, its name, and the value of money. We read The Journey of a One-Rupee Coin, which describes how a single rupee coin passes through the hands of different people in society. For some, one rupee is very valuable and helps meet basic needs, while for others it holds little importance. The lesson shows that money itself is neither good nor bad; its value depends on how and by whom it is used.
Roshni Bhagat

The story What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, taught by Jugjiv Sir, was inspiring and meaningful. It helped us understand that solutions to many problems can be found through learning, self-reflection, and proper guidance. The story emphasised the importance of books and libraries in shaping our thoughts and broadening our understanding.

Later, Manisha Ma’am engagingly conducted another story session. She began the class with a quiz on A One-Rupee Coin, making the session interactive from the start. She then introduced The Whistling Schoolboy and other stories, asking us to identify the story names using pictures. This approach encouraged active participation and thoughtful discussion among the students.

Overall, the class was informative and interactive. It helped develop our interest in stories and literature, making the learning experience enjoyable.
Deenshah Najam

Through the first chapter of What You Are Looking For Is in the Library and the story of Guri and Gura, I learned many meaningful lessons. A line from the end of the chapter really stayed with me: “For such a short story, it’s interesting how everybody remembers it differently.” In today’s reading session, Jugjiv Sir also showed us how the same story can be understood differently by different people.

During the interaction, I heard Astha say that, for her, the story signifies the value of finding significance in small things. For me, the story highlighted the importance of teamwork, friendship, and collaboration shown by the two mice as they made the giant castella cake. This reminds me of the words of a famous brain researcher who believes that “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to learning.” Everybody has their own thoughts and lessons from a story, and I really enjoyed listening to these different perspectives.

After answering the quiz given by Manisha Ma’am, I learned many things about the value of a one-rupee coin. The story’s theme focused on the journey of a one-rupee coin, and starting with a quiz helped us think about the story’s message in advance. From beginning to end, we see a boy who wants to buy jalebi but only has one rupee. To earn more money, he tries to do many things, but in the end, he still gets only a one-rupee coin—this time a shining one. He then goes to the jalebi seller, gives him the shining coin, and the man smiles and gives him a small bag of jalebi in return.

From this story, I learned the value of even small amounts of money that we often ignore. At this moment, I also remember a line that goes, “Extraordinary things come from tiny beginnings.” The jalebi that he wanted so badly finally came into his hands through a one-rupee coin that he once felt was useless. This taught me that we should value what we have, no matter how small it may seem.
Akanksha Rai

In today’s session, Mr Jugiv Singh Sir and Neelashi Ma’am read the story What You Are Looking For Is in the Library. It was a fabulous story that taught us about problem-solving, self-reflection, and many other essential life lessons.

Talking about the next session, which we had with Ms Manisha Khanna Ma’am, she enjoyably began the class by introducing an interesting quiz on the “One Rupee Coin.” It was truly marvellous. After that, she showed us a picture related to the story she had read that day. The story was beautiful and adventurous.

This class is not just about reading; it is all about fun and enjoyment with all the members of the Good School Alliance.

Thank you.
Talat Bano

Saturday, 31 January 2026

Rediscovering the Magic of Reading - Garima, PYDS

Today’s session was genuinely engaging and enriching. During the English class, I observed how vividly a character can be brought to life through words, much like Gerald Durrell does in his writing. One of my favourite characters was the Rose Beetle Man, whose description left a lasting impression.

The highlight of the session, however, was the reading of the chapter Glacier Par Chadhte Chaar Ladke. This chapter felt incredibly powerful and close to my heart, as it is deeply connected to my region, surroundings, and way of life. Moreover, the approach Manisha ma’am chose to introduce the chapter was both thoughtful and beautiful, making the experience even more memorable. The story also inspired me to dream of climbing mountains in the future, awakening a sense of adventure.

Today also helped me rediscover the magic of reading. I finally understood why books matter so much to me—because they inspire me to imagine the future, reshape stories, and create new ones by drawing on the ideas I gather from everything I read.

Garima
PYDS Learning Academy

Monday, 26 January 2026

GSA Calendar February 2026


 My Good School

February 1, 2026

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

February 8, 2026

Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals
Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

February 15, 2026

Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals 
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

February 22, 2026

The YES workshop on Communication with Kartik Bajoria. We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate their dreams and aspirations as they embrace their goals. 

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

The Teachers Academy

Learning Forward Saturday
The Professional Learning Program (PLP) with Sandeep Dutt, ‘Wanted BackBencher LastRanker Teacher’ by Kavita Ghosh, starts on January 31, 2026, with screen sharing. Each first Saturday is for reading a chapter, which is completed by the second Saturday. Then, we discuss experiences and draft reflections, with Neelashi helping create posts for The Teachers Academy blog. By month’s end, all blogs should be published. Attendance is based on blog submissions. 11 blogs earn a Certificate of Appreciation.

Sandeep Dutt’s Masterclass 
Read And Lead at 5:30 PMCo-hosted by Gurdeep Kaur and Sandeep Dutt, for subscribers only. We are reading The Courage To Be Happy. Sign up at sdutt.me.

GSA Meetings and Events

GSA Squad 
We review programs and plan for the coming week at 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers, and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving 

My Good School Retreat 
April 13th -17th, 2026, at Arthur Foot Academy
Find out more at www.inYouth.in

Fridays @ EBD
We meet to cherish Literature, Art and Culture #BrewingKnowledge 

Read with Neelashi Mangal 
Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal, entry by invitation from The English Book Depot. We are currently reading: What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning.

Neha Negi, author of When Birds Talked
5:30 PM on Zoom on February 13, 2026
Continuing with: Folklore of the Hills | Illustrated Himalayan Folk Tales of Birds & Nature | Uttarakhand Legends Filled With Myth, Magic & Transformation

Amardeep Singh Lost Heritage
5:30 PM on Zoom on February 20, 2026
‘Lost Heritage Productions’ is a Singapore-based visual media production house, led by a Singapore-based couple, Amardeep Singh and Vininder Kaur. It focuses on researching and documenting forgotten legacies. Find out more at: https://lostheritage.info/about/

Monday, 29 December 2025

GSA Calendar January 2026

 My Good School

January 4th 2026

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

11th January 2026

Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

18th  January 2026
We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate their dreams and aspirations as they embrace their goals. 
The YES workshop on Communication with Kartik Bajoria
Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

25th January 2026
Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

The Teachers Academy

Learning Forward Saturday
Early Childhood Development training sessions for teachers at 3:00 PM every Saturday - Hosted by Brinda Ghosh and Neelashi Mangal. You may join the cohort from The Teachers Academy website www.DilJeeto.com

Saturday Masterclass 
Read And Lead at 5:30 PMCo-hosted by Gurdeep Kaur and Sandeep Dutt, for subscribers only. We are reading The Courage To Be Disliked. Sign up on The Teachers Academy website at www.DilJeeto.com.

GSA Meetings and Events
GSA Squad
We review programs and plan for the coming week.
At 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers, and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving 

Brewing Knowledge Friday
Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal, entry by invitation from The English Book Depot. We are currently reading: What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning.

Meet and Greet 
5:30 PM on Zoom on January 9th 2026
With Neha Negi, author of When Birds Talked
Folklore of the Hills | Illustrated Himalayan Folk Tales of Birds & Nature | Uttarakhand Legends Filled With Myth, Magic & Transformation
#BrewingKnowledge Hosted by The English Book Depot

Governing Council Meeting
The meeting will be held at PYDS Learning Academy, with hospitality provided by the Fig Tree Cottage in Dehradun, on January 19 and 20, 2026. 

Sunbeam Ballia and Arthur Foot Academy Exchange
Three girls and one teacher from Sunbeam School, Ballia, will visit the Arthur Foot Academy from January 19th to 23rd, 2026. They are volunteers for the Jaabaaz Kishori Project of the Learning Forward India Foundation.

AFA Monthly Review 
Zoom Meeting for Arthur Foot Academy Special Projects Review: 4th Friday of Every Month

Good Schools of India

Are you signed up for the Good Schools of India Weekly? Don't miss valuable insights—published every Monday at 7:00 AM! #JoyOfLearning. Subscribe at: www.GSI.in

Open to All

Follow the Brewing Knowledge WhatsApp Group. If you wish to join, please send a request by WhatsApp to Vikram Kumar at +91 97331 97341 or email vk@ebd.in

Friday, 19 December 2025

Learning Empathy Through Animal Communication and Literature - Akanksha Rai


Today's session was meaningful and thought-provoking. The first part helped us understand how animals communicate through signs, body language, and expressions, allowing us to sense their feelings and emotions. We also learned that animals understand human behaviour and have souls like us, which taught us empathy and kindness towards them.

The second part included a Hindi reading from Ruskin Bond’s The Whistling Schoolboy. The opening lines showed how even our shadows share our sadness, making the story emotional and relatable. Overall, the session helped us become more sensitive, observant, and compassionate.

Akanksha Rai, 9C, Sunbeam School Ballia

Thursday, 22 August 2024

My Name Is Cinnamon - Vikas Prakash Joshi


Meet the author on Sunday the 25th of August 2024

Both a captivating chronicle and an endeavour of remarkable depth and ambition, My Name Is Cinnamon provides a richly textured narrative of a boy trying to find his roots and place in the world. On each part of his journey, he encounters new people, new cuisines, and new adventures as he learns a lot about himself and the world around him.

While being a light-hearted and heart-warming read, the book also covers some difficult themes that are rarely explored in ­children’s and young adult literature. It is a deeply moving testament to the unceasing desire to know oneself, the unrelenting pull of familial bonds, and the power of hope, sacrifice, and love.

With his perceptive observations, vivid descriptions, and an authentic voice, the author, Vikas Prakash Joshi, weaves an immersive plot with fully realised environments and characters that are sure to stay with you for a long time. Above all, My Name Is Cinnamon is about finding your own people and accepting who you are.

‘In 
My Name Is Cinnamon, Vikas Joshi brings to life the lively tale of Cinnamon, a young boy living with his adoptive parents, who sets out to meet his birth parents in an impoverished tribal area. This emotionally sensitive topic is explored with felicity and humour, reminding us of the immense joys and painful travails of childhood. It’s a moving and uplifting book, and I wish Vikas Prakash Joshi all the best for his future writing success.’
―Dr Shashi Tharoor, Politician, writer, and former international diplomat

Kindle and Paperback editions available.

Vikas Prakash Joshi is an-award winning writer, editor, translator, podcaster, public speaker, novelist, amateur cook and occasional journalist in Pune, India. His first book for children, My Name Is Cinnamon (Hay House India), was published in November 2022 , and it has been lauded all over the world, in over 30+ countries, endorsed by many top Indian writers, and received 7 publishing offers. Story Ink, a Mumbai-based production company, has also acquired the book for screen adaptation. It was illustrated by the well known and award winning illustrator for children's books Niloufer Wadia. It has received 5 recognitions already: A3F Literary Award for Fiction 2023, Asian Literary Society Award for Best Debut Fiction,Asian Literary Society Certificate of Excellence in Fiction, Skipping Stones Magazine Honour List for International Books 2023, Longlisted and Shortlisted for Valley of Words Awards for Young Adult Fiction 2023. It was also chosen among 60 selected books by Indian authors for kids and YA by Hyderabad-based Beyond the Box organization, an organisation working in the field of literature.

We will read aloud from next week; please get your copy and join us at My Good School.





Thursday, 18 July 2024

2 Girls 1 Mic Episode 14

Listen to the podcast on your app or scan and play.

Join 2 Girls 1 Mic’s latest episode, where they dive into the enduring charm of classic literature. Hosts Simar and Oshi Singh as they unravel the timeless appeal of three beloved novels: Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility," along with Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women." They discuss what makes these classic novels so captivating and relevant. 


Highlighting themes of love, marriage, and societal expectations, they also delve into celebrating their warmth and enduring lessons. Tune in as they uncover the magic and significance of these timeless literary works, which resonate with readers of all ages. Whether you're revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, there's something profound and inspiring in their pages that transcends generations. 

Feel free to leave comments as you join us in this hearty and engaging discussion. We would love to read them!

Spotify Player

Sunday, 8 January 2023

The Sunday School 8th January 2023 - Elizabeth Philip

While reading A Wedding to Remember from Sudha Murty's book Wise and Otherwise, we found a reference to her novel Mahashweta.


What is a novel?

A novel is a long-written story about imaginary people and events.

(Collins dictionary)

a long printed story about fictional characters and events

(Cambridge dictionary)

an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals mainly with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events

(Merriam Webster dictionary)

a story long enough to fill a complete book, in which the characters and events are generally imaginary

(Oxford dictionary)

The novel is a genre, or kind, of literature. It is fiction, which means the writer invented the story.

https://kids.britannica.com

One thing leads to another. Now, we need to know what genre and literature mean. 

Let's start with literature.

Literature is writing that is usually considered to be a work of art. It differs from written works such as cookbooks, travel guides, or how-to books. Those are meant only to provide information. In general, literature communicates ideas of lasting interest. A writer of literature takes special care in choosing and arranging words. Some common types of literature include novels, poetry, and dramas.


Read more…

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/novel/390589#


Let's move on to genre.


A genre is a specific type of music, film, or writing.

https://www.vocabulary.com/


Here's the link to help you determine how genre is pronounced.

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/genre

A genre (from Latin: genus) is a style or type of music, literature, movies, or other media. Some genres (styles) are used in more than one form of art or communication. For example, fantasy and science fiction are used in literature, movies, and television.

https://kids.kiddle.co/Genre


Now that you know what literature and genre mean, would you like to read more about some of the genres in children's literature?

Go ahead…

https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/harperkids/childrens-book-genres


This is enough for today! You know that a novel is longer than a short story.

How long is long, and how short is short?

You'll be getting more information about short stories and novels…soon!

- Elizabeth Philip
More about her work: 
http://champions.prathambooks.org/2013/09/pratham-books-champion-elizabeth-philip.html

Reflections Since 2021