Kali And the Rat Snake

by Zai Whitaker, Srividya Natarajan (Illustrator)

Kali's father is a snake catcher - the best in the village. Kali knows that is really something to be proud of, but at school he sometimes gets embarrassed. The other children seem to think there is something very strange about having a snake catcher for a father, and eating things like fried termites for a snack. Plus, Kali is the teacher's pet. How will he ever make friends?

Genres: Picture Books, India, International, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for young readers. Classroom for inclusion is taught by story, good story-line and illustrations.

[Adoria Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about a student who does not fit in with his class until he catches a rat snake. I would use this in class when bullying was an issue, pointing out that everyone has a unique talent that they might need one day.

[Penelope Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this little book. It is out of print now, but if you can find one it is a great book to have for your kids.

[Hashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

good story with a good book

[Karthikeyan Veeraraghavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a funny book

[Nancy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about how diversity is a wonderful thing.

[Rasleen Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kali and the Rat Snake" is a heartwarming tale that beautifully explores the themes of accepting differences and building friendships. Kali, with his father being the best snake catcher in the village, faces challenges at school due to his unique background. The book portrays Kali's journey of self-acceptance and finding true friendship despite the initial obstacles. It provides valuable lessons about embracing diversity and the importance of appreciating others for who they are.
The book resonated with me, especially as a part of my English curriculum in 7th grade. It provided an excellent starting point for class discussions on diversity and acceptance. The narrative's strong emphasis on embracing everyone, regardless of their background or unique qualities, left a lasting impression on me.
The book's engaging storytelling and relatable characters drew me in from the beginning. The vivid descriptions of Kali's father's snake-catching adventures and their unconventional snacks, like fried termites, added an exciting and educational element to the narrative.
Therefore, I don't have any hesitation to say that "Kali and the Rat Snake" is a must-read for children and adults alike. It promotes empathy, cultural understanding, and the value of embracing diversity. It serves as a reminder that our differences should be cherished and can ultimately bring us closer together.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything about Kali and the Rat Snake feels different, not American. The book sent me running to the internet for lessons in geography, ethnography and children’s book publishing. It was written by Zai Whitaker,and illustrated by Srividya Natarajan; both live in India. It was published by Kane/Miller, a small American children's book publisher that specializes in children's picture books that originated in other countries. The main character is a little boy from the Irula tribal people of India’s southern mountain areas. Traditionally, people from this tribe were employed as snake and rat catchers, but today few can earn a living wage through this trade. In the story, Kali is a good student, who wishes he didn’t have to be a student at all. Although he is embarrassed by his snake catching father and his fried termite lunch, his own snake catching skills make him the hero of the class when a rat snake literally drops by one afternoon. As different as the book felt to me, I don’t think children would have any trouble connecting to Kali, his worries about being accepted by his classmates, and his joy at discovering that his natural abilities make him the most popular boy in school.

[Alise Durkota · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a boy who has grown up in South India and his father is a snake catcher. Kali feels left out in school until one day there is a snak in the classroom and he is able to put his skills to good use. Very interesting pictures.

[Stephanie Grassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It teaches the reader so many wonderful lessons. I always enjoy books with Indian authors and content, but I feel like I would love this book even if my fiancé was not from India.

[Shanmugha Vadivu]

awesome book!!!