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February 22, 2004
CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEWS: Carrot and crab approach
Ushba Publishing International’s Manzil Ba Manzil series is a small universe of books, which attempts to introduce Urdu classics to the new generation at different levels of learning. A new satellite has been launched in this cosmos. The “Ma’awan Kitab” is a set of three books for side reading. Also out is Rahnuma-i-Asataza, a teacher’s guide for classes one to five.
With their 2001 entry into the world of children’s books, Ushba Publishing International had a purpose to fulfil — bringing out good quality reading material accessible to all children irrespective of what schools they go to. Twenty-nine titles later, they seem to have at least achieved the first part of their agenda by producing good quality books.
For a change, the books under the “Ma’awan Kitab” umbrella do not carry any classics. Specially designed to broaden the child’s perspective of the world around him or her, they deal with present day issues such as health, environment, etc. Not only would they prove essential in the reading and understanding of the course material, they would also be beneficial in increasing the vocabulary as well as general knowledge of a child.
Exacting blends of words and pictures that encourage children to read all by themselves, Gajar Bibi (Ms Carrot) comprises one article and one story. As the title suggests, the article is a simple introduction of a carrot given by none other than “Gajar Bibi” herself. Ghazala Noorani has given a human touch to this vegetable who adorably blows its own horn by naming all the vitamins it carries as well as all the ways it can be devoured — juice, soup, halwa, etc.
True to the character of “Manzil Ba Manzil” or step by step, the next book Kaikra Aur Machhli (Crab and Fish) deals with a slightly more serious issue — environmental pollution. But that’s just one story in this collection of three. The first, “Sham ki sair” appreciates nature while the second, “Aik Bhool”, is about cruelty to animals.
The third book, Paani Cheekha (Water Screams), which again comprises three stories, is by Shireen Maqsood. The importance of water and water conservation is highlighted in the first story, while the second one is a funny little tale about children up to all kinds of mischief. The third story is about soul searching.
It is strange that a children’s book which depends equally on the quality of its illustrations as the style of storytelling should not mention the name of the illustrator.
Due to her long association with Dawn Young World, children who are Dawn readers must be familiar with Ghazala Noorani’s artistic work. That she has illustrated the stories too is something she disclosed to me herself. If Shireen Maqsood has also illustrated her stories the book does not say so.
Gajar Bibi (Book I)
By Ghazala Noorani
ISBN 969-8588-42-6
Kaikra Aur Machhli (Book II)
By Shireen Maqsood &
Ghazala Noorani
ISBN 969-8588-43-4
Pani Cheekha (Book III)
By Shireen Maqsood
ISBN 969-8588-44-2
Manzil Ba Manzil Series
Ushba Publishing International, Karachi
Email:
salvi@pk.netsolir.com
12pp. Price not listed
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