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Moongphali
Nandu wants to go to his school fancy-dress competition dressed as a king, but his mother makes him wear a foolish-looking watermelon costume instead.
Dolly and Sunny are leading a happy life as a pair of genius twins, till they wish for their clones.
All Poonam wants is the perfect pair of blue and white slippers and she finds them too, except that they belong to someone else.
Sher and Samandar are best friends till a piece of mysterious rock turns them into sworn enemies.
Meet these kids and many others like them in this very delightful collection, Moongphali. Funny, adventurous, smart and mischievous, these are children from all parts of India. They speak different languages, eat all kinds of food, live in homes that look totally unlike each other—yet you will find a bit of yourself in each one of them.
Relish these stories and relive your childhood with your kids.
Dolly and Sunny are leading a happy life as a pair of genius twins, till they wish for their clones.
All Poonam wants is the perfect pair of blue and white slippers and she finds them too, except that they belong to someone else.
Sher and Samandar are best friends till a piece of mysterious rock turns them into sworn enemies.
Meet these kids and many others like them in this very delightful collection, Moongphali. Funny, adventurous, smart and mischievous, these are children from all parts of India. They speak different languages, eat all kinds of food, live in homes that look totally unlike each other—yet you will find a bit of yourself in each one of them.
Relish these stories and relive your childhood with your kids.
- GenresShort Stories
156 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2017
20 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 27, 2017
This is one of the best reads so far I have read in children’s book. It is truly amazing. The stories are refreshing and entertaining and the illustrations are hypnotizing. The added perk of this book is a DIY at the end of each story for your kid to learn to make a craft while reading. A combo of reading and learning and making self-taught things with own hands.
Meet the wonderful kids of Moongphali and go on a funny and adventures journey with them. I am sure you never had such an experience before. Relish your childhood with the stories of Moongphali with your kids, craft dolls, piggy banks and other beautiful things with easy to follow DIY steps given at the end of the stories. There are only a few books written as such. This is a must have book. An enriching and heart-warming experience.
https://thereviewauthor.com/
Meet the wonderful kids of Moongphali and go on a funny and adventures journey with them. I am sure you never had such an experience before. Relish your childhood with the stories of Moongphali with your kids, craft dolls, piggy banks and other beautiful things with easy to follow DIY steps given at the end of the stories. There are only a few books written as such. This is a must have book. An enriching and heart-warming experience.
https://thereviewauthor.com/
January 25, 2019
I haven’t read much of Children’s Literature. And I have read even less of contemporary Children’s Lit. And even less of those children’s books written by Indian authors! So, now that confession is out of the day, I spent a delicious hour or so reading ‘Moongphali.’
The illustrations are probably the best part of the book. I loved most of the stories although I do wish the authors had been a bit more gender-sensitive in some of the stories. In the story where a girl has a doll, the father is shown scolding a young boy who finds the doll and is playing with it with the words, “Why are you playing with the doll? Are you a woman?” Small things like those mar the book, but I still loved some of the escapades. Children’s Lit is a kind of balm for the frenzied soul.
The illustrations are probably the best part of the book. I loved most of the stories although I do wish the authors had been a bit more gender-sensitive in some of the stories. In the story where a girl has a doll, the father is shown scolding a young boy who finds the doll and is playing with it with the words, “Why are you playing with the doll? Are you a woman?” Small things like those mar the book, but I still loved some of the escapades. Children’s Lit is a kind of balm for the frenzied soul.
April 9, 2021
Moongphali is a delightful collection of eight short stories exploring multiple themes like self-confidence, sharing and caring, honesty, sincerity, and others, written especially for children aged 7-10 years. Just like the title suggests, reading this book feels as refreshing as eating peanuts. It is sweet, funny, witty and ingrained with crisp messages that helps to instill moral values in young readers without sounding overtly preachy or imposing. Colourfully decorated with beautiful illustrations, this book reflects a typically Indian culture, with characters having Indian names and living in different parts of the Indian subcontinent.
The children-friendly font along with the simple lucid language used in this book makes it extremely readable. In fact, these tender and enriching stories can be enjoyed and cherished by both adults and children alike. It brings a nostalgic effect among adults, reviving distant, almost lost and forgotten memories of our own childhood as we follow in the footsteps of our little narrators featuring within the stories of mischief and adventure portrayed in the collection. Whereas in children, it enhances their understanding of life and the real world around them, giving them the opportunity to experience beyond their immediate surroundings. These stories depict the nuances of a regular Indian middle-class family making it easier for children to relate with the protagonists.
Incorporating vernacular vocabulary and Indian English, the writers have established a distinctly Indian literary space within the genre of children’s literature. This particular kind of cultural appropriation of the language is significant because children are the dormant seeds of our future. Therefore, building a strong cultural identity for these children in their formative years through literature is essential to protect our heritage and to further develop their interests in our cultural identity. “Poonam’s Chappals” and “The Perfect Doll” are two of the most influential stories in this collection, dealing with problems and dilemmas usually faced by children of this age group and through the unfolding of the narrative, they encourage and inspire our young readers to be more sensitive in their turn while handling similar issues.
Children often learn by imitation or from examples, hence, children’s literature plays an important role in providing a set of guidelines to nurture these inexperienced minds into thoughtful, kind and responsible people. In “Poonam’s Chappal” the author subtly shows us how in spite of different economical backgrounds, children are fundamentally similar in their thought processes and in their basic tendency to imagine elaborate scenarios or day dream. It skilfully explains how their happiness doesn’t depend on materialistic gains, but instead on simpler desires like taking a train ride. Though Punnu is unhappy with her new shoes, she instantly forgets about it when she sits on the train. Such innocent experiences bring real happiness and it is mirrored in both Punnu and Poonam’s joy of sharing and helping one another even though they return bare-feet.
Often children are confounded about the worth of things they own or gifts they might have received. They miscalculate the intrinsic value of these objects not because they find them unattractive but because the core concept of worth itself is such an abstract idea that it evades them. They learn to value by comparing the behaviour they notice of others with respect to the same object, and it is not until they lose it or ultimately see someone else sincerely caring for it that they finally realize the actual importance of the gift. Children often develop in association with each other and this interactive process is brilliantly portrayed in the story, “The Perfect Doll”. Sneha feels ashamed of her own actions when she observes Mallika’s treatment of the same defected doll that she had discarded. She realizes her own mistake and regrets it. Such stories enable kids to distinguish between what is good and bad.
What is particularly genius of this book is that at the end of each story, there are DIY (Do-It-Yourself) activities with proper step-by-step instructions on how to make a watermelon puppet or an origami ball, making the whole reading experience a fun-filled journey for the kids. Introducing various different characters picked from several different regions across the subcontinent, these stories help children to slowly and organically understand the multicultural essence of India. Moongphali has a mysterious way of nudging children to think for themselves and inspiring them to comprehend moral values with a timely introduction to the concept of ethics through its fascinating selection of short stories. If read aloud, it can also open a great mode of engagement between the parents and children. The beauty of this book lies in how it embraces life and delivers a message for all its readers, irrespective of age.
The children-friendly font along with the simple lucid language used in this book makes it extremely readable. In fact, these tender and enriching stories can be enjoyed and cherished by both adults and children alike. It brings a nostalgic effect among adults, reviving distant, almost lost and forgotten memories of our own childhood as we follow in the footsteps of our little narrators featuring within the stories of mischief and adventure portrayed in the collection. Whereas in children, it enhances their understanding of life and the real world around them, giving them the opportunity to experience beyond their immediate surroundings. These stories depict the nuances of a regular Indian middle-class family making it easier for children to relate with the protagonists.
Incorporating vernacular vocabulary and Indian English, the writers have established a distinctly Indian literary space within the genre of children’s literature. This particular kind of cultural appropriation of the language is significant because children are the dormant seeds of our future. Therefore, building a strong cultural identity for these children in their formative years through literature is essential to protect our heritage and to further develop their interests in our cultural identity. “Poonam’s Chappals” and “The Perfect Doll” are two of the most influential stories in this collection, dealing with problems and dilemmas usually faced by children of this age group and through the unfolding of the narrative, they encourage and inspire our young readers to be more sensitive in their turn while handling similar issues.
Children often learn by imitation or from examples, hence, children’s literature plays an important role in providing a set of guidelines to nurture these inexperienced minds into thoughtful, kind and responsible people. In “Poonam’s Chappal” the author subtly shows us how in spite of different economical backgrounds, children are fundamentally similar in their thought processes and in their basic tendency to imagine elaborate scenarios or day dream. It skilfully explains how their happiness doesn’t depend on materialistic gains, but instead on simpler desires like taking a train ride. Though Punnu is unhappy with her new shoes, she instantly forgets about it when she sits on the train. Such innocent experiences bring real happiness and it is mirrored in both Punnu and Poonam’s joy of sharing and helping one another even though they return bare-feet.
Often children are confounded about the worth of things they own or gifts they might have received. They miscalculate the intrinsic value of these objects not because they find them unattractive but because the core concept of worth itself is such an abstract idea that it evades them. They learn to value by comparing the behaviour they notice of others with respect to the same object, and it is not until they lose it or ultimately see someone else sincerely caring for it that they finally realize the actual importance of the gift. Children often develop in association with each other and this interactive process is brilliantly portrayed in the story, “The Perfect Doll”. Sneha feels ashamed of her own actions when she observes Mallika’s treatment of the same defected doll that she had discarded. She realizes her own mistake and regrets it. Such stories enable kids to distinguish between what is good and bad.
What is particularly genius of this book is that at the end of each story, there are DIY (Do-It-Yourself) activities with proper step-by-step instructions on how to make a watermelon puppet or an origami ball, making the whole reading experience a fun-filled journey for the kids. Introducing various different characters picked from several different regions across the subcontinent, these stories help children to slowly and organically understand the multicultural essence of India. Moongphali has a mysterious way of nudging children to think for themselves and inspiring them to comprehend moral values with a timely introduction to the concept of ethics through its fascinating selection of short stories. If read aloud, it can also open a great mode of engagement between the parents and children. The beauty of this book lies in how it embraces life and delivers a message for all its readers, irrespective of age.
June 20, 2022
Simplistic stories
I'm not sure which age category this is pegged at. The morals are for slightly older children, but the stories are very simplistic.
I'm not sure which age category this is pegged at. The morals are for slightly older children, but the stories are very simplistic.
December 20, 2022
The stories are very simple to read. Perfect for young readers and beginners.
Wish the illustrations were better.
Wish the illustrations were better.
August 14, 2023
Moongphali is a delightful book of short stories tailor-made for young readers, crafted by Neha Singh and Mukesh Chhabra’s creative duo, with Sonal Gupta Vaswani’s enchanting illustrations. These tales balance simplicity and captivating narratives effortlessly, gently conveying essential moral values. Each page bursts with vibrant graphics, vividly encapsulating the spirit of every story, making them even more enchanting for young minds.
One of the book’s exceptional qualities is its celebration of India’s cultural tapestry. Through characters hailing from diverse backgrounds and regions, the book paints a rich portrait of the country’s heritage, fostering a sense of inclusivity and unity.
For me, diving into Moongphali was akin to revisiting the cherished stories of my own childhood. Among the tales, “Poonam’s Chappals,” “The Perfect Doll,” and “The Hundred Rupee Note” stood out profoundly. These narratives delve into themes of envy, greed, honesty, and creativity, guiding protagonists through challenges that mirror real-life scenarios. The stories serve as engaging and relatable life lessons by showing how these characters overcome obstacles and glean wisdom from their experiences. The book captures the essence of ordinary Indian families, endowing the tales with authenticity and relatability.
While Moongphali is a gem, a few areas exist where further refinement could elevate its impact. Sometimes, a deeper exploration of specific stories would have added layers of nuance and resonance. A more gender-sensitive language could have been employed to avoid stereotypes and promote a more inclusive narrative. A prime example is a scene in which a father questions his son’s choice to play with a doll by asking, “Are you a woman?” Such instances, especially in a children’s book, can perpetuate harmful biases that contradict the book’s overall positive message.
Furthermore, a handful of stories within the collection appear simplistic and predictable, leaving limited room for imagination or discussion. While these stories are charming in their own right, a touch of complexity could have amplified their impact and prompted deeper contemplation.
I wholeheartedly recommend Moongphali to those searching for heartwarming and enlightening reading material to enjoy or share with loved ones. This book beautifully encapsulates the joys and hurdles of childhood, delivering invaluable life lessons in the process. Its universal appeal ensures that children and adults can revel in its charm, making it a four-star addition to any literary collection.
One of the book’s exceptional qualities is its celebration of India’s cultural tapestry. Through characters hailing from diverse backgrounds and regions, the book paints a rich portrait of the country’s heritage, fostering a sense of inclusivity and unity.
For me, diving into Moongphali was akin to revisiting the cherished stories of my own childhood. Among the tales, “Poonam’s Chappals,” “The Perfect Doll,” and “The Hundred Rupee Note” stood out profoundly. These narratives delve into themes of envy, greed, honesty, and creativity, guiding protagonists through challenges that mirror real-life scenarios. The stories serve as engaging and relatable life lessons by showing how these characters overcome obstacles and glean wisdom from their experiences. The book captures the essence of ordinary Indian families, endowing the tales with authenticity and relatability.
While Moongphali is a gem, a few areas exist where further refinement could elevate its impact. Sometimes, a deeper exploration of specific stories would have added layers of nuance and resonance. A more gender-sensitive language could have been employed to avoid stereotypes and promote a more inclusive narrative. A prime example is a scene in which a father questions his son’s choice to play with a doll by asking, “Are you a woman?” Such instances, especially in a children’s book, can perpetuate harmful biases that contradict the book’s overall positive message.
Furthermore, a handful of stories within the collection appear simplistic and predictable, leaving limited room for imagination or discussion. While these stories are charming in their own right, a touch of complexity could have amplified their impact and prompted deeper contemplation.
I wholeheartedly recommend Moongphali to those searching for heartwarming and enlightening reading material to enjoy or share with loved ones. This book beautifully encapsulates the joys and hurdles of childhood, delivering invaluable life lessons in the process. Its universal appeal ensures that children and adults can revel in its charm, making it a four-star addition to any literary collection.
September 12, 2017
This review was first published on The Era I Lived In. Please head to the blog for a detailed review.
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
The beauty of this delightful book spans across its fascinating cover, engaging title and beyond with every story a heart-warming treat that leaves you craving for more, quite like the peanuts, we all love. The bright and colourful illustrations by Sonal Gupta Vaswani, are the highlight of this book. Adding to the joy is a simple, free flowing language and children friendly font to keep them reading with delight.
The high point of this refreshing collection of stories is the subtle blending in of funny, adventurous, smart and mischievous characters who speak different languages, eat all kinds of foods, live in starkly different areas of the country, yet inspire the reader to find a bit of themselves in myriad ways. This book is a treat for children and adults alike.
The biggest plus of this book is that every story ends with a DIY, craft project with easy to follow instructions. The book is a collection of eight magnificent stories. Of these, I particularly loved The Mysterious Stones of Hanur, Poonam’s Chappals and A Happy Day.
I highly recommend this thorough entertainer, adventurous, vibrant, laden with precious morals book for all children aged 7 to 14 years and also for parents because though the stories have been written keeping the young readers in mind, there is nothing childish about this fantastic book.
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
The beauty of this delightful book spans across its fascinating cover, engaging title and beyond with every story a heart-warming treat that leaves you craving for more, quite like the peanuts, we all love. The bright and colourful illustrations by Sonal Gupta Vaswani, are the highlight of this book. Adding to the joy is a simple, free flowing language and children friendly font to keep them reading with delight.
The high point of this refreshing collection of stories is the subtle blending in of funny, adventurous, smart and mischievous characters who speak different languages, eat all kinds of foods, live in starkly different areas of the country, yet inspire the reader to find a bit of themselves in myriad ways. This book is a treat for children and adults alike.
The biggest plus of this book is that every story ends with a DIY, craft project with easy to follow instructions. The book is a collection of eight magnificent stories. Of these, I particularly loved The Mysterious Stones of Hanur, Poonam’s Chappals and A Happy Day.
I highly recommend this thorough entertainer, adventurous, vibrant, laden with precious morals book for all children aged 7 to 14 years and also for parents because though the stories have been written keeping the young readers in mind, there is nothing childish about this fantastic book.
December 27, 2018
Moongphali is a book I bought for my kid after hearing rave reviews about it. Each story is an eclectic mix of adventure, fun, frolic while underlining the virtues like empathy, honesty, self discipline among others. The author does not preach but every story by itself makes the protagonist a better person through their resolve.
The story are a good span that is not too lengthy but is enough to keep the child engrossed in the plot. All the stories were really good but I especially like the chapters of Poonam's Chappals, The perfect doll and the hundred rupee note stories. The story about the clones were weird but it is fiction and any child would appreciate a good imagination. The stories are refreshingly new set in contemporary India.
The illustrations were too good that we can frame those pages and it will look good by itself. The DIYs and craft projects at the end of each story is a good memento to carry from the book. The book is for 8 years and above. The English is plain and the descriptions are very vivid. The plot is too riveting but I doubt if for the kid's age they can find the end of the story predictable. All in all a very entertaining and educative find every child should read. A very delicious read, just like its title.
The story are a good span that is not too lengthy but is enough to keep the child engrossed in the plot. All the stories were really good but I especially like the chapters of Poonam's Chappals, The perfect doll and the hundred rupee note stories. The story about the clones were weird but it is fiction and any child would appreciate a good imagination. The stories are refreshingly new set in contemporary India.
The illustrations were too good that we can frame those pages and it will look good by itself. The DIYs and craft projects at the end of each story is a good memento to carry from the book. The book is for 8 years and above. The English is plain and the descriptions are very vivid. The plot is too riveting but I doubt if for the kid's age they can find the end of the story predictable. All in all a very entertaining and educative find every child should read. A very delicious read, just like its title.
January 17, 2020
Simple stories for children. Some of them felt incomplete or without a moral lesson though !
September 25, 2021
This was a breezy read. I had really liked Neha Singh's part in Big Mistake anthology and I went for this book. Simple stories, each one of them was wonderful. At a time when I was looking for easy-going stuff, this was a heartwarming read.
August 29, 2020
A children's book full of wonderful pictures. The stories are nice, with simple language and good morals for all to learn from.
The best part of the book I found are:
1. The cover and the printing is very attractive.
2. The writing and stories are very simple for kids from 5-15 or 20 year olds.
3. The drawings along with each story is a winner and forms the best part of the book.
Really appreciate the team involved in getting this book created for children also hoping for many more such books to be written. A must buy for every child.
The best part of the book I found are:
1. The cover and the printing is very attractive.
2. The writing and stories are very simple for kids from 5-15 or 20 year olds.
3. The drawings along with each story is a winner and forms the best part of the book.
Really appreciate the team involved in getting this book created for children also hoping for many more such books to be written. A must buy for every child.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews