

I had the pleasure of being a panelist at the book launch of A Tsunami called Naani. It was indeed a wonderful experience to discuss the author’s work and thought process which went on to become this book. It is rare that we get insights into the author’s mind whenever we read a book. This was an experience that I really cherished.
Before I go on to review the book, let me mention that the book was read out to my six-and-a-half-year-old daughter first and all my opinions are laced by her ideas.
Author: Ramendra Kumar
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: MANGO; 1 edition (2016)
ISBN-10: 8126466499
ISBN-13: 978-8126466498
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A Tsunami called Naani is published by DC Books and is quite aptly and brilliantly illustrated by Suraj Lokare.
The story follows the life of a twelve year old, Anurag. His life is turned into a mundane repetition of yesterday by his parents. He is allowed no music, no movies, no masti and his entire existence is about studies. This is where the story takes a turn and enters ‘Naani’, like a Tsunami into his life, and changes it for all the better. She is a 62 year old with a heart of a 26 year old. She brings back the zeal of life for Anurag.
Anurag, Naani and his friends Smriti and Sameer join hands with a group of differently-able kids and senior citizens to do a series of activities and achieve the unbelievable. I won’t divulge the plot line or else it would take away the pleasure of reading. But I can say for sure that it is very tightly woven and is extremely enjoyable.
The characters feel real and relatable. The character of Naani is sketched in a manner that every reader would say ‘I wish I had a Naani like that.’ There are a number of characters in the story and the author has taken great care to draw them in such a manner that they all raise curiosity to know more.
The language used is quite apt for the target readers. There are some new key words quite cleverly hidden in the story which will help children learn. The book contains a moral but it is never preachy.
There is an excellent glossary given at the end of the story to help with all the regional words that have been used.
(L to R) Rhiti Chatterjee Bose, author and blogger, Monalisa Jena, writer and Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award, Ramendra Kumar novelist and author and Surbhi Sarna, writer and blogger at the release of A Tsunami Called Nani at Bakul Library, Rourkella.
The story is broken into small chapters which will help the young readers to keep focus and not lose interest.
The pace of the book is fast. The ending, although a little predictable, is enjoyable. There is a euphoric feel-good factor around the story. And every time Naani enters the scene it livens up the setting.
I wish all of us could have the outlook and spirit of Naani while dealing with children. The book is also a soft guideline for parents who generally hover around their kids imposing their own wishes on them continuously.
Read this fun-filled book to find out more about Anurag and his Naani’s antics.
Highly recommended for both parents and children alike.
Read A Tsunami Called Naani: In Conversation with Children’s Books Author Ramendra Kumar
Rhiti Bose and other panelists at the release of Ramendra Kumar’s A Tsunami Called Naani
A Tsunami Called Naani, published by Mango, a children’s imprint from DC Books, is the story of 12 year old Anurag, whose life script has been written: no music, no movies, no masti – only maths (and its equally horrendous cousins).
Into this tedious existence enters Anurag’s Naani like a well meaning Tsunami. She is a fighting fit, ‘62 going on 26’ vision, with the heart of a six year old, the mind of Machiavelli and the chutzpah of a teenager. Naani, Anurag and his friends, Smriti and Sameer, team up with a group of differently abled kids and senior citizens to prove that impossible is really nothing!
Ramendra Kumar is the author of the popular Indian parenting book – Effective Parenting: A New Paradigm.
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