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December 12, 2004
CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEWS: A new friendship
This is a new friendship, one that will last a lifetime. The habit of reading instilled at a young age will go a long way in seeing the reader develop into a level headed individual. That is what the supplementary reading books planned by Beacon House School System are all about.
There are four books each for a class with the level of vocabulary, understanding and consciousness being increased slightly with each book. The first book in the first set for class one is quite appropriately titled Nai Dosti. We find ourselves in a classroom full of children all dressed in the crisp white and blue Beacon House uniform. We are allowed to witness the beginning of a new friendship between Nida and Zara. It starts with the borrowing of a pencil and one can just envision the two little girls growing up together in the same school. Many parents reading out the story to their children would surely feel overcome by nostalgia. We have all made friends as little children and those friendships are the strongest of all.
Coming out of the school atmosphere, we enter a relaxed one with Aaj Chutti Hai. So it’s a holiday and we have everyone doing their own thing. Aali is frantically searching for his ball and Nida thinks it’s a fine day for some drawing and painting outside in the lawn. The family pet too is glad to have everyone at home and there are moments of excitement.
The other two books in the series for class-I, Na Guda Na Guriya and Khushboo, are funny and refreshing. That is the clown rag doll which makes an appearance in book # 3 is funny and the sweet smelling plants in book # 4 are refreshing. Hence children would have learned to accept the unexpected. They will also learn how to improve their surroundings.
The set of books for class-II begins with Asad Ka Pencil Box. Here is this little boy who doesn’t care about the contents of his pencil box. But nothing to worry, he will be taught a lesson. And reading about Asad numerous other children, who have been promoted to a new class and been given new books and pencil cases, will learn to take fine care of their belongings.
Janum is a book where the spirit of fun should never be lost and Beemar Ka Haal is a book knocking on the young conscience. When the grandmother is ill and hungry for some attention only someone who knows what she is going through can understand her anxiety.
That brings us to the last book for class-II which is called Guldaan Kis Ne Tora. Having so much fun chasing each other around the house can come to a sudden end with the breaking of mother’s beautiful vase. But what is even worse is when the guilty party puts the entire blame on the defenseless family pet. In here is another lesson to be learnt and impressionable and attentive young minds will never let us down by not picking up something positive.
Nai Dosti
ISBN 969-494-156-3
Aaj Chutti Hai
ISBN 969-494-158-X
Na Guda Na Guriya
ISBN 969-494-157-1
Khushboo
ISBN 969-494-155-5
Asad Ka Pencil Box
ISBN 969-494-163-6
Jamun
ISBN 969-494-160-1
Beemar Ka Haal
ISBN 969-494-162-8
Guldan Kis Ne Tora
ISBN 969-494-161-X
Illustrated by Shakeel Awan
Beacon House System.
Published and available with Paramount Books, 152/O, Block 2, PECH Society, Karachi-75400
Tel: 021-4310030
Email: paramount@cyber.net.pk
17pp. Rs40 each
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