Title: Mayil will not be quiet
Author: Niveditha Subramaniam and Sowmya Rajendran
Age: 10+
Publisher: Tulika Books
My father got this book from Chennai for D during his last visit. He knows my love for Tulika books (after I asked him to get almost all of their books when D was 2) and he has subscribed to their news letter. He keeps sending me their new book titles once in a while and asks me if I need any for D or A :)
Mayil will not be quiet is an oh-so-lovely read. D and I read this book together. It is about Mayil, a spirited 12 year old girl who is full of opinions, stubborn at times, witty and will just not keep quiet. Her dad gave her a diary and asked her to practice writing to get her to keep quiet and since Mayil aspires to be a writer when she grows up. From the get go, I felt that Mayil was so similar to D, the questions she asks, the thoughts that run through her mind, her conversations with her friends and mother. Thanks to this book, I've already caught a glimpse of a "teenager-D"! Although the main story revolves around Mayil's day-to-day life, every other character was so well-etched. I loved her mother. The way she was protective of Mayil when she had to, but also giving her the space and time at other times to get Mayil to figure things out for herself. I can't count the number of times I've spoken to D when she talked about "being pretty and beautiful" about how its the inner beauty that matters. It was so heartwarming to see that being reinforced through this book when Mayil's mother tells her - "You look good if you feel good". Mayil's love-hate relationship with her brother, Thamarai - its classic. I could just see D and A when we read about Mayil and Thamarai. The book talks about a myriad of issues ranging from gender discrimination to sex education to adolescent crushes - All of these were introduced in a fantastic way and how they were dealt with was even better. I loved how this book was devoid of any gender stereotyping - Mayil packs a punch and Thamarai loves dolls! And the way gender stereotyping was questioned. Oh and such cute and creative names for a boy and a girl!
This was a great opportunity for me to talk to D about female body and hormonal changes and answer all her questions. We also talked a bit about transgender, sex education - although I did feel she couldn't fully grasp it. But, this was a wonderful way to introduce some of these things because the book made it all seem so normal, exactly the way it should be. It totally transported me back to my teen/pre-teen days and all the warm, fuzzy feelings that come right along with it! It will make a lovely gift!
Author: Niveditha Subramaniam and Sowmya Rajendran
Age: 10+
Publisher: Tulika Books
My father got this book from Chennai for D during his last visit. He knows my love for Tulika books (after I asked him to get almost all of their books when D was 2) and he has subscribed to their news letter. He keeps sending me their new book titles once in a while and asks me if I need any for D or A :)
Mayil will not be quiet is an oh-so-lovely read. D and I read this book together. It is about Mayil, a spirited 12 year old girl who is full of opinions, stubborn at times, witty and will just not keep quiet. Her dad gave her a diary and asked her to practice writing to get her to keep quiet and since Mayil aspires to be a writer when she grows up. From the get go, I felt that Mayil was so similar to D, the questions she asks, the thoughts that run through her mind, her conversations with her friends and mother. Thanks to this book, I've already caught a glimpse of a "teenager-D"! Although the main story revolves around Mayil's day-to-day life, every other character was so well-etched. I loved her mother. The way she was protective of Mayil when she had to, but also giving her the space and time at other times to get Mayil to figure things out for herself. I can't count the number of times I've spoken to D when she talked about "being pretty and beautiful" about how its the inner beauty that matters. It was so heartwarming to see that being reinforced through this book when Mayil's mother tells her - "You look good if you feel good". Mayil's love-hate relationship with her brother, Thamarai - its classic. I could just see D and A when we read about Mayil and Thamarai. The book talks about a myriad of issues ranging from gender discrimination to sex education to adolescent crushes - All of these were introduced in a fantastic way and how they were dealt with was even better. I loved how this book was devoid of any gender stereotyping - Mayil packs a punch and Thamarai loves dolls! And the way gender stereotyping was questioned. Oh and such cute and creative names for a boy and a girl!
This was a great opportunity for me to talk to D about female body and hormonal changes and answer all her questions. We also talked a bit about transgender, sex education - although I did feel she couldn't fully grasp it. But, this was a wonderful way to introduce some of these things because the book made it all seem so normal, exactly the way it should be. It totally transported me back to my teen/pre-teen days and all the warm, fuzzy feelings that come right along with it! It will make a lovely gift!
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