In Roopal Kewalya’s book The Little Rainmaker, ten-year-old protagonist Anoushqa has never ever seen it rain because it’s been a decade since it rained anywhere in the world. Set in the year 2027 this part science-fiction part environmental tale takes the reader on a journey with Anoushqa who doesn’t believe her grandpa’s stories of ‘rainbows, thunder and lightning.’ She wonders how can one miss something they’ve never seen? How can we yearn for something we’ve never had?
On his deathbed, grandpa’s one last wish is to see it rain. Thus our protagonist sets out on a journey to make it rain. We thought of Roopal’s book this July when the Calcutta rains come out in full force. It also coincides with the end of the summer vacations for children in the city. At the bookshop we worked on curating a series of ‘Back to School Books’ for young ones. Leave those raincoats and umbrellas to dry and pour a hot chocolate when you take a breather from classwork this weekend. School’s only just begun…
I Don’t Want To Go To School by Lula Bell and Brain Fitzgerald
What happens when a mouse and a dinosaur happen to speak to each other before their first day at school? Neither wants to go – they’re both afraid and jittery. They can’t eat their breakfast. Will the teacher like us? Won’t the other children be scary? Both our friends make their way to school and are in for a happy surprise. Recommended for first time parents and their toddlers, this heart-warming book with beautiful illustrations is perfect for reassuring children with first day nerves.
The Boy At The Back Of The Class by Onjali Q. Rauf
Winner of the Waterson’s Children’s Book Prize 2019, opens with a chapter about the Empty Chair. There used to be an empty chair at the back of this classroom where no one sat. Ahmet joined class shortly after and now occupies the chair. He is all of nine years old and the entire class is curious about him. Ahmet doesn’t talk too much, neither does he smile. Very soon a group of his classmates learn that he has fled a very real war from Syria and along the way he was separated from his family. The class is then determined to help reunite him with his loved ones. A story of refugee crises and how family is affected by war from the perspective of children. Children with their sensitivity, ingenuity and innocence make a massive impact on Ahmet’s life and wider world.
Mr Lincoln’s Way by Patricia Polacco
In this story we follow Mr Lincoln the principal of Murphy Elementary School in Michigan as he helps a student named Eugene. This book deals with prejudice and can be used as a tool to introduce diversity and tolerance in a classroom. Mr. Lincoln expertly channelizes Eugene the bully by sharing a beautiful book on birds with him. Eugene starts to take care of the atrium in their school. He helps attract birds and has no time to be distracted with mischievous behaviour. Author Polacco is known for her children’s books patiently visiting classrooms and listening to young ones. This book is for more advanced readers and has watercolour illustrations by the author.
Attack Of The Robot Librarians by Sam Copelend & Jenny Pearson
A new year at Little Strangehaven Primary, however things are just as weird as last term. A company has been brought into school to modernise the library with their tiny robot-owl librarians. The owls select terrible and boring books. Later they begin monitoring the behaviour of children for running in the corridor or being late for lessons. Enter Agatha and Lenny who take it upon themselves to stop the attack of the robot librarians. In an age of AI and digital distractions, this book promises to keep young ones rolling and laughing till the end.
In conclusion, we once again think of the lovely school going children in the city, some of whom we’ve had the opportunity to meet at our bookstores over the years. They always have and always will be the future of our world. Every now and then if they giggle and have some fun it might be because we’re doing something right as parents, educators, and booksellers. Back To School can be monotonous, but it can also be special. It all depends on how we guide the next generation with that spark of genius. Let that thought guide your reading recommendations this rainy school time of the year.
The author is proprietor of the independently-owned Storyteller Bookstore located in Ballygunge and Picnic Garden in Kolkata. Curated books from this selection (and more) are available at both bookstores. Storyteller Bookstore ships internationally. Follow @storytellerkol on Instagram and Twitter for more algorithm-free recommendations!