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Paati vs UNCLE: The Underground Nightly Cooperative League of Elders
All Inju wants is a quiet, boring holiday at the most boring house in Mumbai, but life at Parijat Retirement Colony is not the same any more.
A thief is on the loose, and Paati has decided to become an UNCLE! But when the uncles of UNCLE (The Underground Nightly Cooperative League of Elders) act not so cooperative, Inju takes charge.
Joining forces with a lady whose papads were stolen, the skinny building watchman and Paati, Inju forms PAATI (The People's Association against Thieves International).
Can this motley crew of detectives crack the code?
A thief is on the loose, and Paati has decided to become an UNCLE! But when the uncles of UNCLE (The Underground Nightly Cooperative League of Elders) act not so cooperative, Inju takes charge.
Joining forces with a lady whose papads were stolen, the skinny building watchman and Paati, Inju forms PAATI (The People's Association against Thieves International).
Can this motley crew of detectives crack the code?
- GenresFiction
141 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2022
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 2, 2022
Meera Ganapathi's new book is a treat for all types of readers. It serves nostalgia on a platter and urges the readers to take a walk down the memory lane when holidays meant visiting grandparents and playing Sherlock was the best pastime. When Inju and his Paati (grandmother) embark on the journey to catch the thief, the readers are in for fun-filled and adventurous encounters and revelations. Inju is like any other kid who adores his grandmother yet wishes to see her do something purposeful. He is inquisitive and questions the sexist mentality of the senior citizens of Parijat Retirement Colony.
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Read the complete review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
July 10, 2022
Cuuuuuuuute! Loved the sense of humour and all the acronyms! I'm now gonna read a lot more of such kid lit! Kid lit is my go-to genre now.
June 26, 2022
Such a sweet book and one that I would definitely give to all the little ones I know. It touches upon the loneliness felt by senior citizens, a little boy's life and how everything is magnified in one's head at that age, sexism and inclusion. All nicely tucked into a fun little mystery story in a typical sleepy little colony. If you're looking for a book to gift youngsters between 7 and 11, this is perfect.
March 16, 2023
I was a bit skeptical to read children's book after taking a huge break from reading for months. I'm glad I read. Patti VS Uncle is a fun and interesting story of Inju, an eight year old kid visiting his Paati (grandma) for summer vacation. Inju was hoping to spend a boring yet safe summer at his paati's house away from his school bully. But, (un)fortunately there was a thief at loose at their apartment. Inju had to join hands with Paati, to nab the thief for good. They became AUNTY! You'll find out the meaning of the term once you read the book. Step out of your bubble and join Inju in his journey to catch the thief.
There were plenty of Indian especially Tamil food items and names of things. It would be super easy and cool for Tamil kids to devour this book. But literally anyone of any age can read as those Indian terms aren't difficult to understand. The book was rich in vocabulary and a kid can learn and add new words to their dictionary. The illustrations gave the impression that they were drawn by Inju himself, it made the reading experience fun and exciting. As an adult, not even half way through you'll identity the thief but that wouldn't make you drop the book.
It's not just a deductive story also has plenty to offer. It touches upon various important details. How women in society have much more to offer than just coffee, how a so called "feeble man" can be of use, how and why bully happens, how to face rejection, problem solving, refusing to give up, and faith in right person. It helps to ingrain positive attitude in kids.
I highly recommend it! Please, do encourage the kids and Children around you to read and experience the joy of reading but never force them to do so.
HAPPY READING♡
There were plenty of Indian especially Tamil food items and names of things. It would be super easy and cool for Tamil kids to devour this book. But literally anyone of any age can read as those Indian terms aren't difficult to understand. The book was rich in vocabulary and a kid can learn and add new words to their dictionary. The illustrations gave the impression that they were drawn by Inju himself, it made the reading experience fun and exciting. As an adult, not even half way through you'll identity the thief but that wouldn't make you drop the book.
It's not just a deductive story also has plenty to offer. It touches upon various important details. How women in society have much more to offer than just coffee, how a so called "feeble man" can be of use, how and why bully happens, how to face rejection, problem solving, refusing to give up, and faith in right person. It helps to ingrain positive attitude in kids.
I highly recommend it! Please, do encourage the kids and Children around you to read and experience the joy of reading but never force them to do so.
HAPPY READING♡
August 21, 2022
Inju wants a quiet and boring holiday at his grandma's boring house in Mumbai. But a thief is on the loose in their colony and Paati (grandma) decides to become an UNCLE. But when the uncles of UNCLE (Underground Nightly Cooperative League of Elders) are not so cooperative, Inju forms PAATI (People's Association Against Thieves International) to beat down the thief. Now it's PAATI VS UNCLE and the thief!
Ah this is a lovely, fun-filled, humorous and enjoyable children's novel that possesses the ability to be liked even by the adults. I've not read something this fun in a long time and it was a much-needed breather from the hectic routine-life and also from some intense reads. It's a short read with the little whodunnit element. A cute story, fun and exciting, it's a light read for a good time, with funny illustrations and peculiar characters that will definitely tickle the reader.
Ah this is a lovely, fun-filled, humorous and enjoyable children's novel that possesses the ability to be liked even by the adults. I've not read something this fun in a long time and it was a much-needed breather from the hectic routine-life and also from some intense reads. It's a short read with the little whodunnit element. A cute story, fun and exciting, it's a light read for a good time, with funny illustrations and peculiar characters that will definitely tickle the reader.
June 5, 2022
Are you in the mood for a fun, fast-paced whodunnit mystery involving a sassy grandma and a bunch of sharing-good-morning-messages-on-WhatsApp-groups grandpas that will make you laugh your socks off? You’re looking at the right book!
Inju is visiting his Paati(Tamil for grandmother) over the summer and wants a boring staycation at Parijat Retirement Colony but his plans get thwarted when robberies begin and he gets caught up in an investigation to nab the culprit. What follows is sleuthing loaded with oodles of action and some laugh-out-loud shenanigans!
While the book is all fun and frolic, it makes young readers aware of the misogyny that’s rampant in the Indian society today. If there’s a book that screams SMASH THE PATRIARCHY but for younger readers, it’s this one! It also throws light on bullying in a way that’s not too harsh on young minds.
Meera Ganapathi’s witty and quirky writing style is bound to keep you hooked from cover to cover! It’s a cute little book with hilarious illustrations that you can gobble up in one sitting!
Keeping my fingers crossed that this book is the first one in a series as I can’t wait to solve more mysteries with Inju and Paati!
Thanks to Penguin Random House India for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. 🥰
Inju is visiting his Paati(Tamil for grandmother) over the summer and wants a boring staycation at Parijat Retirement Colony but his plans get thwarted when robberies begin and he gets caught up in an investigation to nab the culprit. What follows is sleuthing loaded with oodles of action and some laugh-out-loud shenanigans!
While the book is all fun and frolic, it makes young readers aware of the misogyny that’s rampant in the Indian society today. If there’s a book that screams SMASH THE PATRIARCHY but for younger readers, it’s this one! It also throws light on bullying in a way that’s not too harsh on young minds.
Meera Ganapathi’s witty and quirky writing style is bound to keep you hooked from cover to cover! It’s a cute little book with hilarious illustrations that you can gobble up in one sitting!
Keeping my fingers crossed that this book is the first one in a series as I can’t wait to solve more mysteries with Inju and Paati!
Thanks to Penguin Random House India for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. 🥰
May 14, 2023
I love this little novel - it's such a fun read for people of all ages! It's nice to see new and innovative stories coming out in India for young readers with localized context and without too much Americanese.
June 17, 2022
“Paati vs. UNCLE” reminded me of the many Enid Blyton novels I used to read as a kid. What not was there to keep a child occupied during summer vacations? Kids on vacation, no homework or studies, and a mystery to solve. The only difference being that in “Paati vs. UNCLE” it is not a team of kids, but an unlikely pair of a grandma and grandson on their quest to find a thief.
Paati, like almost every grandmother, dotes on her grandson, feeding him delicious food and providing him a perfectly safe and boring vacation. Inju, like every grandson, is the one who would introduce his grandmother to innovative ideas.
This cute dadi-pota jodi (grandma-grandson duo) is so relatable, so real. I, for sure, felt a very strong connection with Paati. Grandma who takes care of her Tupperware like gold and silver; who has a locked closet that contains all the antiquities and photographs from ages ago; who makes banana chips and cute animal-shaped dosas. That’s my Nani!
These characters and their personalities are as real, as honest, as close to heart as they could get.
Talking about the themes of the story, the author very smartly and subtly touches on the topic of existing sexism in society, using the terms “UNCLE” (a club of old men – The Underground Nightly Cooperative League of Elders) and “Aunty” (Captain Aunty – a doctor turned freedom fighter) as more than just the terms by making it a metaphor of bully and courage respectively.
The main plot revolves around the lonely lives of senior citizens. To what extent they can go to make their lives a little more entertaining, a little more not-mundane.
Special mention to Parmita Mukherjee for the gorgeous illustrations!
I enjoyed every bit of this book and highly recommend it. Whether you are a kid, adult, or senior citizen, this book is an enjoyable read for readers of all ages.
Paati, like almost every grandmother, dotes on her grandson, feeding him delicious food and providing him a perfectly safe and boring vacation. Inju, like every grandson, is the one who would introduce his grandmother to innovative ideas.
This cute dadi-pota jodi (grandma-grandson duo) is so relatable, so real. I, for sure, felt a very strong connection with Paati. Grandma who takes care of her Tupperware like gold and silver; who has a locked closet that contains all the antiquities and photographs from ages ago; who makes banana chips and cute animal-shaped dosas. That’s my Nani!
These characters and their personalities are as real, as honest, as close to heart as they could get.
Talking about the themes of the story, the author very smartly and subtly touches on the topic of existing sexism in society, using the terms “UNCLE” (a club of old men – The Underground Nightly Cooperative League of Elders) and “Aunty” (Captain Aunty – a doctor turned freedom fighter) as more than just the terms by making it a metaphor of bully and courage respectively.
The main plot revolves around the lonely lives of senior citizens. To what extent they can go to make their lives a little more entertaining, a little more not-mundane.
Special mention to Parmita Mukherjee for the gorgeous illustrations!
I enjoyed every bit of this book and highly recommend it. Whether you are a kid, adult, or senior citizen, this book is an enjoyable read for readers of all ages.
August 10, 2022
What a delightful little read! Growing up, cool books never had Indian characters. This very cool story has young Inju & his grandmother take on a misogynistic group of uncles in catching the building's thief! It has enough to entertain a 10 year old and 30 year old alike.
January 23, 2024
My favourite thing about being recommended books to read is realising how well my friends know me. This book is humorous, witty, and wise. I don't think I can recommend it enough to anyone ranging from a young independent reader to an adult who needs some reassurance.
July 3, 2024
I was too lazy to write reviews in good reads but this quirky yet riveting book made me do it.
One of my school mates Instagram post on reading children’s literature once a while inspired me to pick up this sweet book by Meera and I do not regret it one bit.
One of my school mates Instagram post on reading children’s literature once a while inspired me to pick up this sweet book by Meera and I do not regret it one bit.
November 2, 2023
Children’s book. Cute!
September 1, 2022
Book- Paati vs UNCLE
Author- Meera Ganapathi
Pages- 139
This was a very fun to read book with rich vocabulary and attractive illustrations.
Inju a small boy visits his grandma's house in Mumbai and all he wants is a quiet calm vacation and he was sure he would get it in the Parijat Returement Colony because that is how the society always is. But this time he was wrong. There's a thief who's been meaning to steal stuff from the residents' house which also includes not so very valuable things. Injus grandma decides to form a club to catch the thief. But who would join grandma's club when there's already an UNCLE club (which is not so cooperative)?
Author- Meera Ganapathi
Pages- 139
This was a very fun to read book with rich vocabulary and attractive illustrations.
Inju a small boy visits his grandma's house in Mumbai and all he wants is a quiet calm vacation and he was sure he would get it in the Parijat Returement Colony because that is how the society always is. But this time he was wrong. There's a thief who's been meaning to steal stuff from the residents' house which also includes not so very valuable things. Injus grandma decides to form a club to catch the thief. But who would join grandma's club when there's already an UNCLE club (which is not so cooperative)?
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews