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WALKING IS A WAY OF KNOWING

Name: WALKING IS A WAY OF KNOWING
Author: Madhuri Ramesh
ISBN: 978-93-83145-60-7

IN A KADAR FOREST

by Madhuri Ramesh & Manish Chandi ; illustrated by Matthew Frame ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2018

Like many oral folktales, the stories meander, but here the craft is also in perfect synchrony with its content: “Good...

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A lyrical, dreamy picture storybook of five interlocking outings among the Kadar adivasi (indigenous) community in the Anamalai hills in southern India.

The Kadar tribes were historically nomadic hunter-gatherers, but 40 years ago, according to the authors’ note, they were “forced to live in small permanent settlements at the edges of [the] forests”; today, they act as guides to tourists and traders who want to traverse their lands. Researchers Ramesh and Chandi spent hours with tribal elders, and the result is this magical collection, exquisitely illustrated by Frame. The stories are mostly narrated by Madiyappan, a Kadar elder, as well as his uncle, Krishnan, and his cousin Padma. They guide the narrator, presumably an urban visitor, through a dramatic and philosophical forest walk: “Paths have character: there are easy ones, challenging ones, unforgiving ones, one that encourage you to walk with a steady swinging rhythm and other that tease your stride with odd twists and turns,” Madiyappan says. The book introduces the hills’ and forests’ flora and fauna—bison, monkeys, hornbills—and uses Indigenous words unapologetically, although many can be deciphered in context or found in the book’s short glossary.

Like many oral folktales, the stories meander, but here the craft is also in perfect synchrony with its content: “Good forest people are curious,” says Padma. “We constantly explore.” (Folktales. 8-12)

Pub Date: April 15, 2018

ISBN: 978-93-83145-60-7

Page Count: 56

Publisher: Tara Publishing

Review Posted Online: March 26, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2018

Categories:

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION

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YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

THE KIDS' GUIDE TO A BETTER PLANET

by Lucy Bell ; illustrated by Astred Hicks ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 6, 2020

A strong reference addition to any library.

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A well-designed collection of environmentally focused activism ideas that are scalable and accessible to children.

Today’s children are already on the forefront of environmental activism, increasingly aware of the dangers to planet Earth—but the problems seem so large, and they are so very small. This resource is a smartly designed catalog of ideas to make it easier for individuals to put into practice actions that can help save the planet. Divided into categories addressing topics such as plastics, clothing, food, energy, and animals, each section is filled with information and activities to help readers become more aware of wastefulness and environmental impacts. Readers will find a recipe for toothpaste, tips for a plastic-free birthday party, and instructions for starting an outdoor garden. These suggestions provide tangible ways to change mindsets about consumption. Engaging factoids lead readers to inspirational stories of children from around the world who have made a difference in areas they care about. Full-color illustrations throughout are colorful and engaging with a friendly, modern look. The book concludes with a fitting chapter on kindness, making donations, and raising awareness, making it quite possible to raise a generation of children capable of changing the world. Backmatter contains a list of the children mentioned in the book, along with contact information, as well as additional resources and organizations.

A strong reference addition to any library. (Nonfiction. 8-12)