Sita's Sister, by Kavita Kane

Sita's Sister, by Kavita Kane

This book is about Urmila. She is a character from the Ramayana who we don’t know much about. Urmila is most commonly mentioned when Lakshman decides to go for exile with Ram. Sometimes we wonder why didn’t Urmila go for exile with Lakshman. She chose to be separated from her husband for fourteen years, rather than to go with him. The Ramayana never really does talk about Urmila. Every time I read the Ramayana, it talks about Ram, Lakshman, Sita, Ravan, Dasharatha, Kaikeyi etc. It never specifically tells us how did Urmila bear these years of separation, and how did she feel when Lakshman decided to go to the forest, leaving her behind. I think Urmila, also known as Sita’s sister was an exceptionally brave woman to bear this separation.

Saraswati's Intelligence, by Vamsee Juluri - Review

Saraswati's Intelligence: Book 1 of the Kishkindha Chronicles, by Vamsee Juluri

The first thought that comes to your mind, when you see the cover page of this book is Hanuman. For, a picture of a monkey is drawn on it. When we think of Hanuman we also think of Ram, because Hanuman was a great devotee of Ram.

Now, the surprising thing is that this book does not even touch the subject of Ram. It is solely based on the childhood life of Hanuman. This book talks about his childhood which is not even mentioned in most Ramayana versions. When you read this book, you understand what really happened in Hanuman’s life before he encountered Ram.

The book goes slow at first but picks up pace as it moves on.

Hanuman was born to Kesari and Anjana while Vali and Sugriva were born to sister of Kesari, Riksharaja in Kishkindha. Vali, Sugriva and Hanuman were fast and steady friends. One day while the three of them were having a race when Sugriva slipped. Hanuman was shocked because Sugriva had committed a “param dharma apachara”. You must be wondering what is a ‘param dharma apachara’? In Kishkindha spilling even a drop of blood was called param dharma apachara. A drop of blood was made of the sunlight of 108 leaves. It was considered a sacrilege to spill blood. Hanuman tried to clean Sugriva’s wound. In the meanwhile, Vali had lied to Kesari by telling him that Hanuman had jumped first when it was Sugriva. Hanuman and Sugriva were exiled from Kishkindha for touching blood.

Both started wandering from place to place and on their way, they met the great sage Vishwamitra. All the three of them together went to the land of the Ganeshas.

Vishwamitra sensed that something was wrong in the far north. Then, one day a group of northern Ganas had come. A Ganesha chief went out to receive them but none of the Northern Ganeshas even answered. What happens next is a big surprise.

The rest of the book talks about their adventures, how Vali went after the creature inside a cave. Sugriva went to help Vali. Sugriva came back alone. He announced that Vali had been led into a cave and would come out only after defeating the monster. The creatures had been defeated. Sugriva was crowned king in Vali’s absence.

This book has a suspense ending. The book is also one of the books in a trilogy and makes you want to read the other 2 books. So far, this has been the summary of the book. Now, I am going to tell my views.

The book concentrates more on the culture and habits of the Kishkindhan people. I found it very interesting it did not lead to the subject of Ram. The book leaves each chapter in suspense so if you want to know more you have to read the whole book. In the ending of this book I felt like I had to know what would happen in the 2nd book.

The style of writing attracts you. At the starting it was slow and I was not interested but, as I read more I got interested and that resulted in reading the whole book. It has been a nice experience reading this book and I hope the other two books in the trilogy give the same experience.

If you want to know more read this fantastic book By Vamsee Juluri to find out.

Book info:
ISBN-10: 9386224267
ISBN-13: 978-9386224262
Publisher: Westland
Buy the book: Amazon India, Kindle India, Amazon US, Kindle US, Flipkart
Excerpt:


© 2017, Anika Agarwal. All rights reserved.

The Eighth Avatar – by Manoshi Sinha Rawal

The Eighth Avatar Paperback

by Manoshi Sinha Rawal
This book is about one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu.

There are 10 avatars of Vishnu.
They are: Matsyavtara, Kurmavatara, Varhavatara, Narsimhavtara, Vamanavtara, Parshuram, Ram, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki.

This book is about the eighth avatar that is Krishna. It is not about the whole life of Krishna but it is till Krishna’s battle with Jarasandha. But even in this much the book attracts the attention of all. One reason is because it has simple language that everyone can understand. The other is that it explains everything as simply as possible. I can guarantee that if you have not read about the life of Krishna then, after reading this book you will surely understand what it is about. It makes you feel that you want to turn page after page. Since I have read many versions of Krishna’s life I turn the pages just to know how this version goes.

This version of Krishna’s life concentrates on the childhood exploits of Krishna. Kansa kept on sending out asuras from his side and Krishna kept on killing them one by one. Few of the asuras he killed are:
Putana – Killed when Krishna suckled the life out of her while breast feeding.
Trinavarta – Came in the form of a tornado and grabbed Krishna but crashed to his own death.
Vatsasura – Came in the form of a bull but was killed in the duel with Krishna.
Bakasura – Came in the form of a crane but was killed when Krishna shattered his beak.
Keshi – Came in the form of a horse but Krishna smacked and battered him to his death.
Aghasura – Came in the form of a serpent and swallowed Krishna and his friends but was killed when Krishna tore open his abdomen.
Vyomasura – Came in the form of a bat and kidnapped Krishna’s friends. He was killed in the duel that ensued between him and Krishna.
Dhenukasura – He was an ass. He was killed by Krishna for harassing the people of another village.

Apart from killing the asuras Krishna also lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger. The story of this was that Krishna convinced the people of Vrindavan not to worship Indra but instead worship Mount Govardhan. Indra got angry and sent showers and showers of rain down on Vrindavan. To shelter the people Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger.

I was happy that this book did not concentrate much on the love life between Krishna and Radha because as a kid I am not interested in all this love stuff. I was really surprised because in almost all the versions that I have read they have quite a lot to say about the Krishna-Radha story.

It kept on attracting me like a magnet. Sometimes I would simply stop reading it. But again, the next day the first thing I would do was to find out what happened next, even though I knew it. It had that kind of power. It also kept on switching between the scenes.

You did not get bored that it was only about Krishna’s exploits or that it was only Kansa sending out asuras. You could enjoy the story and even see it through both Kansa’s and Krishna’s view.
 
Book info:
ISBN-10: 9384878472
ISBN-13: 978-9384878474
Amazon India, Amazon US, Kindle India, Kindle US, Flipkart

Excerpt:


© 2017, Anika Agarwal. All rights reserved.

Abigail the breeze fairy

Abigail: The Breeze Fairy (Rainbow Magic: The Weather Fairies, No. 2)

Hello everyone! This is another super exiting adventure. If you want to know follow me. Today Rachel and Kirsty were sitting in the sunshine enjoying helping the fairies again. This is the second time we are helping the fairies said Rachel. Yesterday they had met Crystal the snow fairy. And now they had to help the others to. Today was the summer season ans so was it the summer festival. Kirsty's grandmother had gone to the cake competition. Just  then Kirsty's mother asked them to go to the cake competition to cheer up Kirsty's grandmother. So they went. When they reached they saw that everything was flying here and there. When they saw Kirsty's gran they cheered up a bit because she was a happy plump lady. She said she might win this year. But now the wind blew so hard that Kirsty thought that the goblin was hiding under the table she checked under the table and saw a fairy. It was Abigail the breeze fairy! She was sitting on the decoretions.
She flew out and landed on Rachel's shoulder who was standing next to Kirsty. Soon they came out of the summer festival and looked up and saw a hot airballoon. Abigail said that the goblin was hiding inside the hot airballoon. So they flew up,and over there Rachel said she had a plan. She said Kirsty had to go and stand in the basket and Abigail should distract the goblin. While she would turn of the burnur. They agreed to the plan. Rachel turned of the burnur and the balloon began to sink and the goblin didn't even think and threw out the sandbag and even Kirsty had to come out .But still it was sinking so the goblin even threw out the feather. Abigail caught it and ordered the wind to stop. It stopped they went down and met Kirsty's  grandmother she said she had won so they went home.

THE END

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (May 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439813867
ISBN-13: 978-0439813860

Goldie the sunshine fairy

Goldie the Sunshine Fairy (Rainbow Magic, The Weather Fairies #4)

Hello everyone, I will take you to another adventure in Fairyland. Follow me. Today Kirsty and Rachel were sitting  outside in the backyard trying to put the tent poles together. Just then Mr.Tate came out and  helped them put it to together. But  the girls laughed because Mr.Tate had put on so enormous sunglasses!  They then thanked him and when he went they heard a popping noise. They went and saw that the corn in the cornfield was turning into popcorn! And a zooming light was coming towards them! It then bursted into golden sparks and they saw Goldie the sunshine fairy. She said that the goblin with the sunshine feather was not far away. Lets check in the farm on the otherside said Kirsty. So they went. They searched and searched but could not find the goblin! So when they almost gave up a duck in the pond said ask the pigs they are very unhappy for some reason. When they reached the saw that the pigs were very unhappy and they asked them the reason why they were unhappy.The pigs told them that someone had taken their mud hole without their permission the pigs said. Just then they heard a song it was like this" Ive been having so much fun. Blasting out in the golden sun. Its a roasting toasting popcorn weather.  Oh how I love my sunshine feather.It was the goblin singing! They thought how would they ever get the sunshine feather.
Then Kirsty said she had an idea she ran back to her house and was back with a fishing pole and her Dad's enourmous sunglasses! Rachel  and Goldie didn't understand why she was bringing back this stuff. Suddenly they heard a snoring sound the goblin had fallen asleep! Then Kirsty asked Goldie if she could turn them into fairies she turned them into fairies and they flew up on a tree with the fishing pole and sunglasses. Over there Kirsty said I have plan. She said if we lower down the sunglasses with the fishing pole on the goblin's nose he might think the sunshine feather is broken then we might be able to get it back. They agreed to the plan. And it worked but then the sunglasses bounced on the goblin's head when he screamed. He started chasing the girls but this time Goldie had a cheeky plan she used the sun rays to make the mud on the goblin dry rapidly so his body became stiff so that he could not run . Then he became a statue so they returned to the barn roof where Doodle was perched Goldie flew up and put the sunshine feather he came alive and sqaked Will come if what then they went home after saying good bye to Goldie.

THE END!

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (September 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439813891
ISBN-13: 978-0439813891

Saskia the salsa fairy

Saskia the Salsa Fairy

Hello everyone let us go into the fairyland dance fairies adventures! Today was the Wetherburry village   hall parade and Kirsty was going with her friend Rachel.As they reached they saw that there was a crowd of children waiting to try and hit the pinata which was full of sweets just then Kirsty spotted her friend from school, and asked her if she could have a go she was allowed to. Kirsty hit the pinata perfectly and sweets came tumbling down. But then Rachel noticed a trail of sparkles she followed it and saw a pretty fairy it was Saskia the salsa fairy she waved at Rachel who grinned back. Rachel quickly called Kirsty and led her to Saskia she fluttered down on Kirsty's shoulder.  Soon the parade  started! The girls and Saskia started to look at the dance the dancers kept on coming some of them tripped over and forgot. Saskia said if only there was my salsa ribbon this would not happen they then got to know that the salsa ribbon was close by because the dancers and people became better at dancing   then they noticed a moving float on that they were dancers who were dancing so fast and nicely this was sure that the salsa ribbon was on the float.  Rachel asked Saskia to turn them into fairies. They flew up and tried to spot the salsa ribbon but they couldn't find it.  Just then Rachel spotted two shorter dancers dancing very well. They were dressed like birds then Saskia pointed to one of it's tail. In there was a dark orange coloured  feather it was the salsa ribbon so the dancers were goblins! Then the girls flew towards the goblins they tried to snatch it out of the tail but the other goblin noticed them and they got of the float and ran towards a park. They headed towards a wooded area. Over there they decided to climb up a tree thinking that birds live in trees they went up a tree.

Then the three fairies came and do you what the goblins voices where heard they were scolding each other. Tweeting to each one another one said Cheep! Cheep! The other said that the parrots don't tweet they say funny things and squawk. Then Rachel said that she had an idea! She said if Saskia could camouflage Kirsty and herself so that they where the same colour as the leafs? Saskia  said she could so then they flew up caught the salsa ribbon and flew back without the goblins noticing! Then Saskia reattached the ribbon to her wand then the girls said good bye to Saskia and enjoyed the rest of the parade.

Series: Rainbow Magic (Book 55)
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Orchard Books (2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1846164966
ISBN-13: 978-1846164965

Sukhu and Dukhu

Once there was a weaver he had two wives. Both the wives had one daughter one was Sukhu and the other was Dukhu. Then one day the weaver died as soon after he died Sukhu and her mother drove away Dukhu and her mother. Dukhu and her mother found a deserted hut and deiced to live in it, bye spinning yarn.
One day when Dukhu was about to spin when a gust of wind blew away her cotton she ran after the wind, but the wind blew away her cotton she said please give me back my cotton. The wind said go to my mother the old women she will give you back your cotton. Dukhu started her journey to the wind's mother. She was helpful to everyone on her way at last she reached the wind's mother and said please can I have my cotton back. The wind's mother said take 3dips in that pool she took 3dips in the pool,then the wind,s mother take any of those caskets and go home. So she picked up the smallest one  and went home on her way home the people who she helped gave her  presents and with that she went home.

ISBN-10: 8184825617
ISBN-13: 978-8184825619

Appu and the circus.

Appu and the Circus

In this story  there is an elephant named Appu got captured by circus people. If you want to know the story read my review. One day Appu asked  if he could go and see the circus, he asked are his friends coming. His mother said Lambu giraffe and Kaka crow are not coming. Mini mouse and pretty butterfly are coming so he went.When they had crossed halfway ,they started eating the bananas.

When they reached what did they see? A wonderful sight. Appu was amazed by the elephants.He walked towards them and got captured. So his friends thought and thought.Suddenly they got an idea. Pretty fluttered on a flower. No one was around except the manager's son,when he saw her he  woke up someone and asked him to catch her. In the meantime mini had come and started eating the string
.The guard saw that and started chasing them. Mini fell down and the guard was almost on top of her. Appu saw that and picked up a stick and started hitting the guard.Soon he dropped it and went into the forest with his friends and lived happily ever after.


ISBN-10: 8126419156
ISBN-13: 978-8126419159

Kate and the Beanstalk

Kate and the Beanstalk (Anne Schwartz Books)

In this story their is girl named Kate she gets back her father's goods. If you want to know the adventure read the the book. Once there was a women and her daughter who had run out of money. So their only hope was to sell their cow. Kate went out sell it and in return she got magic beans. But her mother threw them out of the window so Kate and her mother slept hungry. When it was daybreak she woke up and saw a beanstalk  ! She climbed up and saw a castle and sheep grazing and a forest. Out of  the forest came an old woman. Does anybody live here ?, asked Kate.

The woman replied a giant lives here  who had  stolen three goods from a honest knight. The old woman said if you want to go and get the three goods go to the castle for three days. Kate went to the castle knocked on the door, the giantess opend the door and boomed help me cook so Kate helped her cook. As soon as the giant came giant came the giantess hid Kate .As he was eating, the smelled the smell of a english women and  that day Kate stole the first good. The next two days Kate disguised herself in a different manner and went.The third day the giant was killed. The fairy queen came and said I needed to know if the knights daughter was worthy enough  to have the three goods, so the fairy took them to the castle and they lived happly ever after.

ISBN-10: 1416908188
ISBN-13: 978-1416908180

Princess Poppy - The Party

Princess Poppy: The Party (Princess Poppy Picture Books) 

Today was Honey's birthday. Euppet show everybody was coming to Cornsilk castle including Pop granny.  Bumble said time for the puppet show after the  games. They ate and ate and went home soon it was time for Poppy to go home . When she reached home, she  told her mother everything  except she had stolen one of Honey's gifts . When Poppy 's mother found out, she asked Poppy to return it. Honey was not cross at all.

ISBN-10: 0552559261
ISBN-13: 978-0552559263