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Category: Children’s Features

Children’s Features articles

Learn On The Go With These Fantastic February Reads!

Posted on by Penguin India

February is the much awaited month of love.  It can also be the perfect time to rediscover your love for books through path-defining stories of strength, courage, bravery and success.  Puffin brings to you an interesting line-up of books for young adults with topics ranging from the life of Shivaji, the great emperor to a behind-the-scenes look at the life of radio jockeys and a very adorable bumblebee, Biplob!

Make learning a memorable experience for your kids with these true-to-life, biographical stories!

Go on, take a peek!

Shivaji Maharaj (Junior Lives)

In the land of the Marathas, there was once a fearless young ruler called Shivaji. This young man went on to become Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj-one of India’s greatest kings and a thorn in the side of the mighty Mughal Empire. Fifth in a series of illustrated books created for young readers to get to know our world heroes betters, this engaging biography, peppered with little-known facts, takes the reader through the awe-inspiring journey of Shivaji, built on his determination and valour as well as his exemplary victories.

The Adventures of Biplob the Bumblebee

Biplop is a very busy bumblebee. When he isn’t collecting nectar, he is off on rollicking adventures to save his garden with the help of his friends, farmer Balram and the flowers. From harvesting water to saving baby plants from a dangerous infection, join Biplob as he comes up with innovative ideas that are always eco-friendly. These vibrantly illustrated stories promise to teach kids something new through lessons on science and friendship.

Let’s Talk On-Air

 

Take a deep dive into the lives of fourteen eminent radio presenters to learn about the people behind the iconic voices that have entertained us via the airwaves-one of the oldest forms of communication. Get to know the challenges, ideals, inspirations, favourite songs and icons of the popular radio jockeys of our time, including the legend Ameen Sayani, and maybe this can be a career which inspires you too!

Incredible Things You Wouldn’t Have Known About These Incredible Women

Posted on by Penguin India

Ishita Jain and Naomi Kundu bring to you the most inspiring read for you and your young ones! The Girl Who Went to the Stars recounts the adventure of fifty of the most amazing Indian women and their extraordinary lives. Celebrating the achievements of remarkable women like Amrita Sher-Gil, Mary Kom, Indira Gandhi and many more, this book is sure to become a favourite with your kids.

Here are some interesting things about a few of these women!

Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Chawla always wanted to work at NASA and dreamt of going to the stars. However, her first application to NASA was rejected but she did not lose hope. She tried again and got accepted the second time, making her dream a reality!

 

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Amrita Sher-Gil

Amrita Sher-Gil’s voyage to becoming one of the most well-known painters in the world began when she was a young girl. She began to travel to faraway places in order to learn how to be a painter when she was as young as 13 years old!

 

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Mary Kom

Even though Mary Kom’s parents were against her taking up boxing, she remained adamant on what she wanted and secretly joined a boxing school. Over a period of time, she became the best boxer in the school, kick-starting her marvellous journey of becoming the first Indian woman boxer to win a medal at the Olympics!

 

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Bachendri Pal

Bachendri Pal’s adventurous career of becoming a professional mountain climber began when she was 12 years old. While on a picnic with her friends, she ended up climbing 4000 metres! Since then she never looked back.

 

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Lata Mangeshkar

Before making it big in the film industry as a singer, Lata Mangeshkar tried for many singing jobs but was rejected because people found her voice too shrill and high-pitched.

 

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Kiran Bedi

As a young girl, Kiran Bedi loved playing tennis with her father. She practised every day and at 17 years old became the national junior tennis champion!

 

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P.T. Usha

P.T. Usha’s first race was against another student in her school who was the school champion. She ran as fast as she could and won the race. This inspired her to take part in many more competitions and realize her dream.

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Usha Uthup

When Usha Uthup was a young girl in school, she used to love singing with other children. But she was asked to leave the music class as her voice was not sweet and soft like many others. However, she never gave up on her love for singing and went on to become one of the most-loved voices of India.

 

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Indira Gandhi

Growing up watching her father struggle for India’s independence, Indira Gandhi decided to join her father in the struggle when she was 21 years old. She impressed people with her hard work, devotion and intelligence.

 

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Ismat Chughtai

Being an avid reader since she was a young girl, Ismat Chughtai always wanted to write stories about girls and their lives. She finally got the inspiration to begin writing about women when she saw one of her friends at college, Rashid Jahan, writing beautiful stories about real women. And so she started writing stories herself.

 

 

Find out how India’s most admired women followed their dreams.

 

Words of Comfort from Ruskin Bond

Posted on by Penguin India

The Little Book of Comfort is full of happy quotes from Ruskin Bond to help you get through your day. In this adorable little book, Ruskin Bond has jotted down calm and comforting thoughts. Here are some of them:

“Go outdoors, it is better to hear the bubul sing, than the mouse squeak.“

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“Something attempted may fail. Inaction, however, must fail.“

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“It is a good test of memory to try and recall what you were worrying about last week.“

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“Help a stranger in distress, and one day you may receive help when you least expect it.”

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“To find happiness, look halfway between too little and too much.”

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“The wisest man is he who doesn’t think he is.”

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“Go and do things. You are bound to succeed in some of them.”

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“One courageous thought will put to flight a host of troubles.”

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“If you have good health, you are young’ and if you owe nothing you are rich.”

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“The difficult can be done immediately; the impossible takes a little longer.”

Grab your copy of The Little Book of Comfort today!

Meet Nakul and Kuku from ‘Magic in Mussoorie’

Posted on by Penguin India

Magic in Mussoorie takes you into the adventurous world of Nakul and Kuku.

Nakul Sahej is a tall, lanky and bespectacled man with a thoughtful and intuitive nature. Nakul usually ends up humouring Kuku and also pulling him out of trouble, something he has to do quite often. A quick thinker, he has an inquisitive mind and loves to investigate.

Nakul is patient, thoughtful and brave. He is a leader and a decision maker by nature and is always leading Kuku into adventures even when Kuku is not convinced enough, sometimes even doing so by bribing Kuku with food.

Chitleshwar Prasad a.k.a Kuku is a short burly young lad with an insatiable hunger. Short tempered and not one to think before speaking, Kuku often gets himself into trouble.

Kuku likes to believe he is not too afraid of thunder, rain or creepy lonely houses, though in reality, even a little cat jumping out of nowhere scares him. Despite not being much of a risk taker and always questioning Nakul’s actions, he never leaves is side.

Traverse the Seven Sisters of North-East India with ‘Discover India’ Series

Posted on by Penguin India

The Discover India series will take you on a grand tour of every single one of our country’s states. Join the adorable Pushka and Mishki and the wise and witty Daadu Dolma as they travel to the incredible seven sister states of North-East India. Get set to discover various festivals, dances, foods and places of scenic beauty.

Here are some interesting facts about the seven states!

Off to Arunachal Pradesh

 

Off to Assam 

Off to Manipur

Off to Meghalaya

Off to Mizoram

Off to Nagaland

Off to Tripura

 

 

Make Learning Fun For Your Little One With These Books!

Posted on by Penguin India

With the new year in full swing, Puffin brings forth an exciting new collection of books for your kids that will enrich their minds and entertain as well!

So, go on, make sure that your tiny tot doesn’t miss out on any of these!

In My Heart

 

A very special story to be read with loved ones, In My Heart takes us on a child’s journey of discovering who she really is and where she comes from. Warmly illustrated and deeply felt, this is a fearless and tender celebration of the magical ways in which different kinds of families are born.

Macbeth: Vocabulary Enhancer

Word power is an integral part of being able to express yourself-whether you’re in college, appearing for competitive exams or attending a job interview. It makes you an effective and confident communicator. This handy guide brings to you an abridged version of the timeless tragedy Macbeth by William Shakespeare to familiarize you with a must-read and equip you with new words.

Pride and Prejudice: Vocabulary Enhancer

Strengthen your understanding of the English language and enhance your vocabulary with this unique companion. This handy guide brings to you an abridged version of the timeless novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen to familiarize you with a must-read and equip you with new words. 

There’s a Monster Under My Bed!

There’s something under my bed! What if it grabs my leg? What do children fear the most? From dark nights and eerie shadows to terrifying clowns, scary insects and huge monsters under their beds, conquer the biggest childhood terrors with this enchanting picture book.

Mumbai, Here  We Come(Discover India City By City)

Get set to discover Mumbai! Daadu Dolma, Mishki and Pushka are off to explore Mumbai. They’ve heard so much about its amazing people, its film industry and its buzz of activity. They’re going to have some great adventures in the city that never sleeps, so be sure to join them. Just get your backpack ready and plunge right in!

Delhi, Here We Come (Discover India City by City)

Get set to discover Delhi! Mishki and Pushka are longing to explore Delhi. They have heard about its incredible history, its amazing food, the stunning monuments and the unique Delhi lifestyle. Daadu Dolma is finally taking them for a visit. Are you going to join them? Then keep your cameras ready and get set for a wonderful trip!

The Parrot and The Merchant

Mah Jahan, a rich merchant woman, collects birds in cages. But when she brings back a gift for one of them, she learns a surprising lesson.This exquisitely illustrated story is an enchanting fable exploring how hard it is to let go of someone you love and give them freedom. Retold for modern-day readers, this classic tale by Rumi is brought to life by the award-winning illustrator Marjan Vafaian.

 

Twice Upon A Time

There is more than one way to be a girl! Keya is the real princess of a real kingdom, till she quits – and finds the least suitable replacement for the job! Can a brash, bubblegum-chewing girl fill some very fancy shoes? And what will happen when a real princess starts becoming a real person instead?From award-winning author Payal Kapadia comes this wickedly funny and action-packed novel about some real and not-so-real princesses.

Meet the Authors of The Ultimate Memory Handbook for Students

Posted on by Penguin India

Aditi Singhal and Sudhir Singhal are the authors of The Ultimate Memory Handbook for Students. In their book, they provide the ultimate hacks to memorize information, understand vast topics and answers from particular course studies. Giving tips on how to enhance memory and activities to train the brain in order to retain a wide range of topics and subjects, this handbook serves you with ways to deal with problems such as memorizing the periodic table, long answers, easy ways of enhancing vocabulary, learning trigonometry formulae, history dates, countries and their capitals supported by some fun and interesting artwork that serves as a great visual aid.

Here we give you a few interesting facts about the authors, so you can know them better:

Ace your curriculum and assessments with these ultimate memory techniques in The Ultimate Memory Handbook for Students

 

 

Everything You Need to Know about the Dargah of Salim Chishti

Posted on by Penguin India

Told through interesting stories with captivating illustrations, ‘Amma, Take Me’ series introduces readers to the history of different faiths and their associated monuments.
In Amma, Take Me to the Dargah of Salim Chishti, travel with Amma and her boys to the fascinating walled city of Fatehpur Sikri and behold the dargah of Salim Chishti shining like a white pearl in an oasis of red sandstone.

Here are some astounding facts about the much- revered Dargah of Shaikh Salim Chishti:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hear the story of why the great Mughal emperor Akbar visited the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti and then had a mausoleum built in his honour.

Books To Gift Your Little Ones This Holiday Season

Posted on by Penguin India

It’s everyone’s favourite time of the year – the month of festivities and holidays, and along with it, the question of what to gift little children. We personally think books are a great present and so we bring to you a list of books from which you can choose what to gift your little one!
Amma, Take Me to the Dargah of Salim Chishti
 

Explore the places where we worship with Amma and her boys. Told through interesting stories with captivating illustrations, ‘Amma, Take Me’ series introduces readers to the history of different faiths and their associated monuments. In Amma Take Me to The Dargah of Salim Chishti, travel with Amma and her boys to the fascinating walled city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Of Course, It’s Butterfingers!

Even when Amar Kishen-better known as Butterfingers-isn’t stumbling through misadventures, he sure has disaster tailing him every step of the way. Join the irrepressible Butterfingers in this exciting and enjoyable instalment of side-splitting short stories.
The Adventures of Woka Chimni

Woka’s love for travel, helpful nature and ecological curiosity make her stories charming and memorable. Discover our country India’s splendour through this series of picture storybooks for kids, one exciting adventure at a time.
Magic in Mussoorie

Nakul Sahej and his friend Kuku stumble upon an antique book while on holiday in Mussoorie. The book turns out to be a magical one that transports the two back in time to the Mussoorie of over a century ago. Action-packed and unputdownable, this thrilling adventure is the first in a series of comic books set in the Garhwal Himalayas.
The Girl Who Went to the Stars and Other Extraordinary Lives

An unbelievable journey through outer space, the voice of a nightingale, a climb up the highest mountain, a leader of the nation. These are the incredible stories of fifty phenomenal Indian women, such as Amrita Sher-Gil, Arundhati Roy, Kalpana Chawla, Mary Kom, Indira Gandhi, Tessy Thomas and more!
The Ultimate Memory Handbook for Students

This book will serve as a handbook for you to memorize information, topics and answers from your course of study. Using memory-enhancing practices and techniques along with tips, activities and practice sections, you can train your brain to retain a wide range of topics and subjects. From the periodic table to trigonometry, history dates to countries and their capitals, master it all with these practical techniques, supported by some quirky and fun artwork that serves as a great visual aid.
Wonder Words

Wonder Words is a gorgeous, illuminating and often hilarious lexicon of unique words from all over the globe. It will open up your world, making you aware of emotions, cultures and practices from far and beyond. Join author-illustrator Rituparna Sarkar in finding the joy of new words in different languages that you always hoped would exist in English!
Discover India series

Sonia Mehta is back with her Discover India series, where the adorable Pushka and Mishki join the wise and witty Daadu Dolma as they traverse the length and breadth of India. This month, they explore Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur and the Union Territories of India!
 

Guinness World Records 2019 : A Sneak-Peek at Record-Shattering Indians

Posted on by Penguin India

The world’s most popular record book is back with thousands of new categories and newly broken records, covering everything from outer space to sporting greats via Instagram, fidget spinners and all manner of human marvels. Inside you’ll find hundreds of never-before-seen photographs and countless facts, figures, stats and trivia waiting for you on every action-packed page. Guinness World Records 2019 is the ultimate snapshot of our world today.

Here is a brief glance at some of the unbelievable records made by Indians this year!

Most runs scored in ODIs (female)

As of 4 Mar 2018, India captain Mithali Raj had scored 6,259 ODI runs in 189 matches (170 innings) since her debut in the format in 1999. Between 7 Feb and 24 Jun 2017, Raj hit the most consecutive fifties in One-Day Internationals (female) – seven. Together with England’s Charlotte Edwards she has the most fifties scored in an ODI career(female) -55
 

Fastest Twenty20 International Hundred(Male)

On 22 Dec 2017, Rohit Sharma(IND) made a century off just 35 balls-including eight sixes and 11 fours – against Sri Lanka in Indore,India. Sharma matched the feat of David Miller (ZAF), who made his own 35-ball century two months earlier on 29 Oct ,against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
 

Largest bust sculpture

Isha Foundation(IND) erected a 34.24-m-tall(112-ft-4-in), 24.99-m-wide( 81-ft-11.8-in), 24.99-m-wide(81-ft-11.8-in),44.9-m-long(147-ft 3.7-in) sculpture in Tamil Nadu, India, as verified on 11 Mar 2017. The bust depicts Adiyogi Shiva-the name refers to the fact that,in yoga practice, the Hindu god Shiva is known as the first yogi.
 

Largest flute

On 25 Dec 2014, Bharat Sinh Parmar, Charunsudan Atri Jay Bhayani and Shri 5 Navtanpuri Dham temple(all IND) presented a 3.63-m-long( 11-ft 11-in), fully playable flute in Jamnagar, India. The instrument was then played in a public performance of the Indian national anthem.
 

Highest flight by hot-air balloon

Dr.  Vijaypat Singhania(IND) reached an altitude of 21,037 m( 68,986 ft) in a Cameron Z-1600 hot-air balloon over Mumbai, India, on 26 Nov 2005.
 

Largest pair of scissors

Memory expert Neerja Roy Chowdhury (IND) created a pair of scissors  measuring 2.31 m( 7 ft 7 in) from tip to handle. They were used to cut the ribbon wrapping on her memory-training comic book, launched at the Air Force Auditorium in New Delhi, India on 16 Aug 2009.
 

Longest time to spin a plate on the finger

On 18 Dec 2016, Himanshu Gupta (IND) kept a plate spinning on his finger for 1 hr 10 min 39 sec in Bangalore, India. Himanshu also used his revolutionary skills to achieve a new GWR title for the longest time to spin a Swiss ballon on one finger (using one hand) : 5 min 38 sec, in Bangalore , on 12 Sep 2016.
 

Longest duration playing the sitar

Renuka Punwani played sitar for an unbroken stretch of exactly 25 hr at the  Pancham Academy of Indian Music in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, from 26 to 27 Nov 2011. Renuka was a sprightly 76 years old at the time. She has also accompanied other members of the academy in marathon music-making attempts.
 

Drink a bottle of ketchup

On 7 Sep 2017, Dinesh Shivnath Upadhyaya(IND) downed a 500-g (17.6-oz) bottle of ketchup in 25.37 sec in Mumbai, India. The gastronomic guzzler beat the previous best by more than 4 sec
 

Longest moustache ever

India’s Ram Singh Chauhan had a moustache measuring 14 ft (4.26 m)- about the length of a London black cab- as verified on the set of Lo Show dei record in Rome, Italy, on 4 Mar 2010.

Get your copy of  Guinness World Records 2019 today and find out more about quirkiest talents across the world!
 

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