May 2005 Archives

Books we read even as children can be quite influential on our lives.

The ones that I still remember are:

• Russian children books translated into English (those were the days of Indo-Soviet cultural exchange).
• Noddy: A series about a wooden doll with a nodding head. Grimms fairytales
• Amar Chitra Katha: The go to series for all stories related to Indian mythology
• Chandamama and Tinkle: Childrens' magazines
• Fairy Tales from Africa: Inherited from a family friend
• Enid Blyton

Last year I was at the dentist getting all my wisdom teeth removed. In the waiting room I saw a book that I had read as child. In this book of short stories, my favorite one was a story about a giant turnip that a farmer is trying to pull out of the ground. Basically the story is about each animal that comes to help him out in this tug of war. Repitative but enjoyable when you are little and the appearance of each new animal excites you and makes you wonder--are they going to be able to pull it out this time?! Seeing this book from my childhood calmed me greatly before the surgery.

The online discussion board on graphic and information guru Edward Tufte's website had an enlightening post about children's books. The list includes peoples' favorite books growing up and also those that their kids have enjoyed and more importantly why. There are obviously quite a few with exceptional graphics.

Some of the titles mentioned that I thought were interesting are listed below:

• "How to Get Your Child to Love Reading" by Esme Raji Codell
• The Water Hole by Graham Base": It is a beautifully illustrated book that teaches ecology, math, geography." See an illustration here
• "Adventure of the World": "I am amazed by the quality of the artwork and the complete lack of any compromise in the illustrations. No clip art, no cute photos of meerkats, no talking dolphins to patronise the young reader"
• "Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?" by Robert E. Wells: "A brilliantly thought-out, visually clever guide to size"
• "Who's afraid of the Big Bad Book?" by Lauren Child: "the book not only contains the story but also features in it as a physical object"

If you want to buy one of these books you know to go to here. After all it is one of Tufte's favorites!

Have a favorite book from your childhood?

The best and the worst thing about taking public transportation (PT) are your fellow travellers.

Recently I took the 51 from near work so I could get to the Cody's on Telegraph to watch Sarah Vowell speak. But a few stops later a tall man wearing a red wool hat got in and sat opposite me. I was sitting in the first row of seats and he sat on the last seat of the row along the side of the bus. I can smell him and its not pretty. It makes me feel sick. It's a kind of wet, sweaty, rank, too many clothes on a hot day kind of smell. I think I am more affected by smells than most other people I know. I can't even read books that have descriptions of smells. In fact describing that smell right above made me feel sick all over again.

I hope that he will get off soon. I contemplate moving to another seat. Because of the way we are sitting he can't see me, but I am concerned that I will be judged by my fellow passengers if I relocate. So I stay put and try to distract myself and try to cover my nose in a not so obvious manner. But I can't stand it anymore. So when the bus nears Shattuck, my last chance to decide if I should brave it out or get off--I get off. Ironically so does the man. But there is no turning back now.

I would have loved to see Sarah Vowell but my olfactory system could only take so much abuse in her name!