Shrubaboti Bose's Blog

Unapologetically Feminist by Urvashi Bundel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fiercely independent and constantly thought-provoking collection of poetry.

Literature has always been subjective and poetry even more so. In addition to being open to multiple interpretations, poems have the power to take up any form we project upon them due to the amalgamation of our different past experiences. Some of these experiences have coloured our perception of the world around us, some might have shaped our own personalities and few others seeped into our works - unintentionally marking them as ours. Perhaps this is why poetry can be both extremely personal and yet universal at the same time.

In this book, Urvashi explores themes of nationalism, misogyny, racism, gender inequality, hypocrisy among other social injustices. But what is really interesting is how her poems address each issue while juxtaposing them against the local and global scenario. There are poems that talk about women's spirit of resilience as a collective and then there are some others which attempt to highlight the consequences of the pandemic at a whole. Be it the effect of isolation on mental health or the result of prolonged quarantine leading to lesser social interactions, these subjects are all quite relevant and relatable to most of us.

The book also has small illustrations at the beginning of each section that serves to differentiate between the various sub-topics that were covered in it. While some of the poems may come off as a little obscure or vague, to the point of even slightly predictable due to the use of a common language, it adds to the mystery of the persona featured in these works. Indeed, there are also a few chosen poems that would definitely leave quite a lasting impact on the reader. Urvashi sensitively and deftly plays with complex ideas such as immigration as well as human rights. Her voice seems to turn into a clarion call for other coloured women to come out and speak up.

Overall, the anthology helps us confront some of the most pressing issues faced by coloured women all over the world and inspires people to do the same. It is thought provoking and certain lines keep resonating in our minds long after we have finished reading the book. Another important point to note would be, a few poems referring foreign cultural practices were lacking footnotes to help understand these terms. Some of my personal favourites were 'On Turtles and Women', 'Patterns', 'Margin of Error', 'Great Expectations' and 'Colourism'.

(Note: ARC obtained from Reedsy Discovery)



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926 Raindrops - Gift of the Wild by Gloria Straube

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A tale of befriending a wild wolf, coming to terms with loss, grieving and healing.

What draws attention to this book is its unassuming narrative style, the easy-flowing lines on sensitive subject matters such as loss or grief, and how each of us deals with them personally. Our traumatic experiences often make it really hard for us to move on in life, but the author seems to have found a way to overcome this agony of losing someone very dear to us.

Here, the narrator's unusual bonding with 926F Raindrops, a wild wolf in the Yellowstone facility after having that equally mysterious dream of a wolf pack giving her support, during the surgery are the motivating factors that prepare her mentally to let go of her past. Simultaneously, it is also a clarion call for people to become more aware and to come together in order to finally do something to protect them under the legal laws.

All we seek in life is to be accepted but the author describes that since her childhood she was nothing like any other girls. It's clear that she was not only treated differently but she also grew up to be someone who preferred isolating. So when all the kids her age were playing with cats, she used to take care of tadpoles. Hence, in a way, this book helps us all reconnect with our innermost child or self. One can also interpret it as perhaps a psychic connection or maybe some kind of a spiritual connection.

Another interesting thing to note is how the author shares such a profound sentiment for rain. According to her, rainfall has both a cleansing and purifying, or a reassuring and almost calming effect. The ocean waves call out to her, crashing ashore noisily under the feet. The story has a vast panoramic experience, where we get an idea of how nature can thus, largely influence our understanding of the hardships that life throws at us. Although there are quite a few passages that reiterate the same major theme, making the story a bit repetitive in certain parts, it's wonderfully illustrated and serves the purpose of spreading awareness to dissuade people from hunting.

(Note: ARC obtained on Reedsy Discovery)



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Careers for Girls by Anne Daly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Encouraging girls to dream big and introducing them to various career options.

Women make up only 28% (approximately) of the total workforce in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and men consequentially outnumber them greatly. This disparity begins at school level when children select their majors but it continues right to their adulthood. Most of the employees at various sectors of STEM industries turn out to be men. In this book, the author argues that this might not be a result of personal choice but more a matter of social conditioning that every child gets subjected to when they grow up with.

In fact, she explains how gender conforming practices and stereotypes can directly or indirectly motivate girls to choose subjects like fashion design over scientific research. While every subject has their set of advantages and uses in the society, there is no need for us to limit the career options for girls, or similarly, in case of boys, to compel them to take up engineering or technology as their only choices for work. By curating a wide range of unique careers, Anne tries to introduce little girls to various subject areas, expanding the available list of fields that they can choose from for their future.

Undoubtedly, this is an important topic that requires more discussion and in her own way, Anne takes up the challenge to spread awareness about STEM as well as encourage girls to dream big. A special feature that would really help children in improving their vocabulary is the little 'weird word of the job' corner, where readers can find new words to learn. Explanations of each career come with lucid descriptions written in a language that is easy to comprehend. Significant key words are colour-coded throughout the book. Additionally, one can find each new job name broken up into different syllables to facilitate children's pronunciation.

Although the book design and presentation of the information could have been more engaging and upbeat, particularly when created for children; the hard work and efforts put into the making of this book is visible. It is full of illustrations that are both detailed and hand-drawn with a lot of dedication. So, despite coming across as a little bland, it's worth reading!

(Note: ARC obtained from Reedsy Discovery)



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Moose and Goose on the Bus by Grace Diane

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A spring day with Goose and Moose is bound to leave the readers warm within

When you read the story the first time, the illustrations are bound to grab your attention. Despite the muted colours or neutral tone, there is a certain charm that is both beautiful and soft like the spring sunshine. But what attracts us the most is the thoughtful expression on the reindeer's face. We get introduced to three different characters in the story - Goose, Moose and Bruce. Surprisingly, even in spring there is a lot that doesn't sit well with either Goose or Bruce. They have reasons to not enjoy it as much. Bruce feels it's still too cold, he appears to be grumpy, whereas Goose gives us the impression of being indifferent to March.

The second time you visit the two strange friends, you are also on the bus, riding along with them, bumping over the puddles and feeling the slight chill in the spring air. Yet it is Moose time and again who reminds us about how the crocuses and tulips would bloom around spring, how bright the sun shines in our faces, how we should dress up as it fits the season. Sensitively portraying how friends can have a difference of opinion and still remain friends, the author takes us on a journey of kindness and an invincible spirit of optimism. Reading this story would help young people to learn by imitation to care about our friends even if they have a unique way of thinking that is different from that of ours.

When Moose finds out why Bruce is unhappy, he tries to think of a way to make him feel better by gifting him a tuque. He even attempts to present Goose a daffodil, encouraging her to appreciate nature's beauty. But when that plan fails, he brings her a pair of polka dot socks and finally manages to cheer her up. She always wanted boots as keeping her feet warm and dry is important to her. This shows the significance behind understanding what a person desires in life without trying to impose our beliefs on them.

Being an educator, this book seems ideal for teaching children the real reason behind trying to have a positive outlook in life. If you are determined to make the best out of any given situation, you have already won half the battle because then nothing can bring you down. This story is recommended for all children, especially for new parents to read aloud stories before bedtime.

(Note: ARC obtained on Reedsy Discovery)



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I Can Be Kind by Rainbow Gal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Introducing social emotional learning to children and encouraging them to be kind to one another.

Oscar, the ill-tempered piranha usually has a very convenient lifestyle, taunting weaker fishes and eating small goldfishes from the adjacent aquarium for his daily meals. But suddenly one day, instead of meeting another frightened goldfish, he is confronted by Marla, a brave little goldfish who remains defiant and unaffected by Oscar's threats. In fact, when Marla starts calling him a 'big bully', Oscar finds himself at a loss of words and gradually becoming intrigued by her courage. They begin to talk with each other. In fact, their unusual friendship marks the turning point for the story because ever since Marla stood up for herself, something within Oscar's personality changed.

Introducing the process of social emotional learning among children is difficult and yet crucial. What is interesting to note in this story is the casual style in which a 'bully' gets transformed into a "kind" person. Although simplistic, the story effectively captures the essence of a bigger problem, insecurities can breed unkindness but in the same way, love can also encourage us to be more empathetic and therefore kind to one another. These are complex emotions and it is no surprise that parents or educators alike, often face the challenges of making such concepts simple enough for children to be able to grasp. That is where this story plays a significant role.

The illustrations might need some more work as we can notice slight deviations in the basic anatomy of the face of the human, nevertheless, they serve as great milestones for every reader, adding to the nuances of the story. Together with the pictures, the story flourishes and becomes a composite of images as well as words that are inter-dependent. Perhaps this is not the most sensational story book out there, but that's not important, because this book is the product of sincere efforts where one can see how the author tries to contextualize and build an interesting model world in an attempt to demonstrate the importance of kindness in our lives to a young reader.

(Note: ARC obtained on Reedsy Discovery)



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City Kitties by Rizwan Asad

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Lovely book of rhymes for children to explain the importance of having different kinds of experiences in life

In this book, the protagonists of the story are the two cats, Mitten and Nessie. They have very contrasting characters but what makes the narrative really interesting is how Rizwan plays with words and effectively incorporates rhymes in them. In fact, Mitten is actually a very mischievous kitten who often hides behind objects and enjoys pranking other animals by suddenly jumping in front of them, but when it comes to Nessie all her efforts go in vain because the older cat seems undisturbed. This made Mitten very curious and she directly asks, "Why can I never catch you" and so Nessie starts recounting the story of her life along with her numerous other experiences.

While this is a small story book, one must keep in mind that the author has taken a lot of efforts to frame the sentences in the form of a nursery poem with each line ending on a rhyming word. Rhymes can be very helpful for the learning process of a child since it is easier for them to memorize a particular sequence of music than a group of random words. Personally, I believe rhymes also set the tone for the story into a light-hearted and cheerful vibe. Furthermore, the illustrations are designed with utmost care. They are not only positioned well, but also feature the nuances of the two characters, displaying both the restless energetic nature of Mitten and the elegant, proud attitude of Nessie.

Overall, the story helps children understand that having a range of various different experiences can enrich our lives and give us a sense of accomplishment, as portrayed by Nessie. It also motivates young readers to find their own adventures respectively and inspires children to become increasingly accepting to differences. Humorous and enchanting, this is a picture book that I would recommend everyone to read!

(Note: ARC obtained on Reedsy Discovery)



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Sadie and her Swap Shop by Loretta Browne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Inspiring children to find happiness in little things and to experience how the best things in life are completely free.

This beautifully illustrated children's book develops its story around the central character of Sadie, a young girl who desires to own a brand new bike but lacks the resources to buy it. Introducing the theme of 'value' to young readers, Browne here skilfully presents to us the possibility of a fair exchange. When the school teacher Miss Rose asks the kids to put up a stall during the Summer Fayre, the two friends Sadie and Una wish to open one for swapping toys. They think of a way where people would not require to use money and instead can choose from a collection of different toys available in the stall, to ultimately exchange it for an old toy that they themselves no longer played with.

It's wonderful to see how such an important lesson as well as message can be delivered through the picture book in just a few simple sentences. One must also note that despite the apparent simplicity of the language, the vocabulary used in the story is age appropriate and help to improve the word strength of the child reading it. Another point that Browne keeps in mind while narrating the story is that it is from the perspective of a child too. This makes it more accessible and relatable to the younger readers. Children can quickly pick up behaviours and tends to repeat actions that garner both attention as well as appreciation as modelled within the text.

Finally, the illustrations are so creative and self-explanatory that when a child sees it for the first time, even if they are unable to comprehend the story from only the words, they can imagine the situation with the help of the pictures. The drawing style is children-friendly and does not intimidate or alienate the reader from the narrative with its heavier stylistic elements. In contrast, the illustrations remain as helping tools for the story to pivot and expand upon, hence, it is the story that is on the centre-stage throughout. Recommended for all children and new parents who wish to explain the meaning of value and happiness to their young ones.

(Note: ARC obtained on Reedsy Discovery)



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Love, Loss, New Life: Writing Your Way from Grief to Happiness by Karen Skillings

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A collections of poems written with sensitivity and understanding to help readers come to terms with their own grief

Grieving can be a very isolating experience. Often when we lose someone close to us, we find ourselves suddenly thrown into pitch darkness, a state of mind from where it is impossible to get out and we welcome the darkness which seems to envelop us. It paralyses our senses and makes us inaccessible to other people. This is where this book particularly stands out as a beacon of hope. Karen beautifully draws brief sketches of her own turbulent thoughts and shifting dialogues with herself after her agonizing loss, while also remembering to invite the readers to participate in her journey of healing.

She offers her poetry collection as a gesture of empathy and support to encourage the reader to walk along with her, transferring us with the power of her words from utter desolation and mourning to a state of joy and happiness. What is particularly interesting in this book is that it has a list of writing prompts and space to jot down your own thoughts after every section. Karen believes that writing helps in the overall process of healing and with that thought in mind, she decides to encourage people through her poems to inculcate a writing habit as they processed their own grief and anguish.

Her poems may not have exceptional value in terms of their literary merit, but one must admit that they possess a certain level of sensitivity and nuance that only someone who has personally gone through such a range of emotions can write. The poems are original and the language utilised in them show genuine emotions that reflect the depth of feelings for Ron, from day to day as she had journaled them. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is hope moving forward, that is to transcend from the state of sorrow into happiness. In the end, the author is able to connect with her inner Self and liberate her mind from the past.

This book is specially recommended for those who have recently lost someone they held dear and also for people who enjoy reading simple poetry.

(Note: ARC obtained from Reedsy Discovery)



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A Gathering of Tales from a Cosmopolitan Family by Wondering Wandering Writer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Beautifully inclusive collection of story adaptations from different countries of the world

Just as the title suggests, this collection is a really thought-provoking melange of stories from different countries such as Eritrea, Scotland, Romania and Biafra. Despite their cultural nuances, it is worth noting how the stories do not compete for attention with each other but remains individually and collectively vivid in their depictions. Beautifully illustrated and filled with prompts that encourage young readers to engage with the stories by drawing characters portrayed in it, this is a celebration of colours, languages and multiculturalism. Reflecting the power of inclusivity, it inspires children to be interested about other cultures as well as various languages like Igbo or Romanian and thereby sparks their curiosity.

What is particularly captivating is the absence of gender stereotypes and the use of animal characters to illustrate moral values that are intrinsic towards a fundamental value education for small children. While the book mainly targets a younger audience, it is surprisingly refreshing and holds a nostalgic charm that is bound to move an adult reader too. Both Dreamer Panda and Sturdy Tiger act as role models, occupying the position of parents for the two siblings, Purity and Love, an elephant and a lady bird but this kind of interspecies representation mirrors the pluralist global atmosphere that is common in the contemporary world.

It helps to establish in children a basic understanding at the subconscious level that we should be accepting to everyone around us, including those who are different from us, thinking in terms of one big family. Although the stories are adapted from tales, it is important to note the manner in which they are weaved together seamlessly into the larger narrative by the author. An unusually exciting collaboration between both author and illustrator has resulted in the creation of one of the sweetest children books that I have read in this month. Recommended especially for young children.

(Note: ARC obtained from Reedsy Discovery)



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Language of Souls by Caitrin Kelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Treasure trove of poems tracing different emotions and exploring memories from the past

This collection of poems has been beautifully curated to trace the journey of a person throughout their lifetime, reflecting both the ups and downs in the complete trajectory. But what is most significant is how there is an essence of universality wrapped around these diverse expressions of the poet's personal experiences. It invites the reader to visualize the given predicament and to relate with the speaker while maintaining a slight distance that further builds interest.

Some of these poems talk about love, childhood memories, celebrating birth, some are about grief or mourning a loss and a few others resonate with a yearning for returning home, here, back to the wide green pastures of Ireland. Perhaps, it is this innate longing for one's native land that has been sensitively mirrored in these poems which ultimately touches our heartstrings as it echoes inside our minds long after we have read the poem. Different situations can alienate us from our origins, but it is this constant urge to go back and reclaim our roots that make these poems particularly stand out from the rest.

However, there are also poems that seem a bit forced and therefore unusual, for instance, in "The Enlightenment" or "Death and Loss" and "The Lake Poet", the ending words in every line are made to rhyme but a few stray lines escape this tradition, making us wonder what could be the poet's intentions. Despite such incongruencies, it is certain that a large number of Caitrín's poems showcase remarkable internal rhythm and cadence. Especially poems such as "Ireland", "A Wish", "The Ember" and "The Blackwater River" leave an indelible impression on our souls as they transport us to another place and time.

Poetry has always been one of the most expressive forms of literature in spite of its brevity and inclination to abstractism. This nuance is nurtured and developed in these poems with the help of imagery and other poetic devices such as figures of speech or alliteration. Yet this kind of play with the form often makes poetry too abstract to be enjoyable by the masses. It is important to note that such embellishments do not make this collection unattainable or unreachable, but in fact commonplace things and ordinary emotions has been highlighted here with a new kind of attention making it more accessible. Recommended for anyone with a simple interest in poetry.

(Note: ARC obtained on Reedsy Discovery)



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