Skip to content

Sandhya Acharya

Book Review: Seeker of Truth

  Author: Srividhya Venkat Illustrator: Danica da Silva Pereira Publisher: Little Bee Books Such an inspiring and empowering book. Not only for the amazing story of Kailash Satyarthi, a Nobel Peace Prize awardee but also for the message for children – Big changes need small steps. Little by little, drop by drop. Young Kailash sees many things that he would like to change, it seems overwhelming at first, but once he starts, he cannot stop. And what a change he brings about in society! This is a great classroom read.  

Book Review: Leaf Talks Peace

Their latest book “Leaf Talks Peace” feels like a beautiful culmination of research, poetry, learning, and heart. The message of living in harmony flows through the author Priya Kumari’s words throughout the book and the illustrations by Anusha Santosh help bring it to life.

Kite Strings, #SpringFlingKidlit 2022

It’s time for Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal’s #springflingkidlit contest. I love working with prompts; they always push me to create something different. This time, for the spring theme, I imagined the kite festival played in some parts of India to celebrate spring. It is called Makar Sankranti in some parts, or Uttarayan in others. While the characters I created plunged headlong into the kite flying festivities, I couldn’t ignore the issues caused by reckless kite flying. Over the years, kite flying contests became so competitive, that contestants began lining their strings with glass and… Read More »Kite Strings, #SpringFlingKidlit 2022

All About WONDER

WONDER is a beautiful thing. My son recently told me about a magical place in his school. “It has logs, some vines, a tarp covering, and space to run between!” he gushed. It didn’t sound like much, I thought. It could be anywhere. But then I looked at him and in his eyes, I saw something magical – Wonder. Immediately, I remembered something. A distant memory from my past. A time when my school friends and I played “Fairies” in a space filled with trees, dirt, and pebbles – my own magical place. I told my… Read More »All About WONDER

Operation Mars 2020

It’s time for #50Precious Words! It’s always a fun challenge to write a full story arc in just 50 words. Thanks Vivian Kirkfield for the opportunity! Last year, I was inspired reading about Operation Mars 2020 in which a rover named Perseverance was sent to Mars. The team had to contend with the chaos of COVID but it didn’t deter them from achieving their goal. What made it even more special for me were the images of an Indian-American woman called Swati Mohan becoming associated with this important event. Swati was the Guidance and Controls… Read More »Operation Mars 2020

Book Review: A Case Of Sense

Author: Songju Ma Daemicke Illustrator: Shennen Bersani Publisher: Arbordale Publishing This book review is a part of the efforts of MCBD to showcase multicultural books to all of us. I am grateful to participate in this effort and do my bit. Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2022 (1/28/22) is in its 9th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books… Read More »Book Review: A Case Of Sense

The Legend Of Lake M

Originally published in KQED Perspectives, Dec 23 2021 One cold, dark morning, the clouds seemed heavy, the sky ready to burst, and the air full of suspense. At school drop-off, I heard mounting whispers in the backseat of my car. Something big was about to happen. The legend of Lake M was about to appear. Every year, at least once, when days look like this — wet and ready for a downpour, my kids’ school has come to expect the phenomenon of Lake M. As the kids stay indoors for classes, rain falls without a break. And… Read More »The Legend Of Lake M

Book Review: Bella’s Recipe For Success by Ana Siqueira

Bella’s Recipe For Success Author: Ana Siqueira Illustrator: Geraldine-Rodriguez Publisher: Beaming Books A perfect book to read while you are baking treats for the holidays. Bella looks at her talented siblings and wonders what she might be good at. She tries her hand at baking. But her initial attempts don’t work out so well. Bella doesn’t give up and taking a cue from her hard-working brother, she continues to practice – until her polvorones with dulce de leche turn out just right. But just as she is about to have them….you will have to read… Read More »Book Review: Bella’s Recipe For Success by Ana Siqueira

Book Review: Between Two Worlds

Meera has so beautifully used words to bring out the beauty of the artist, Amrita Sher-Gill’s work. We get snippets into her life, her quest for identity, her unique style, her quiet rebellious personality. Ruchi Bakshi Sharma with her beautiful illustrations gives us glimpses into Amrita’s style of art and the meaning behind it.