I am quite convinced that Nani Ki Naav, a poem-book filled with delightful words and equally enjoyable illustrations is a book that will appeal to adults reading to children, as much as it appeals to children themselves.  Harindranath Chattopadhyay weaves a poem for children in this extremely engaging book published by Katha. Nirzara Verulkar’s peppy and bright illustrations bring out the theme beautifully. 

Nani and Neena have set out on a boat journey. Now, their boat is small and they are set to pack a lot of things in it. On the way they also encounter a crocodile. Now, stormy seas and a crocodile for company…. that points to an adventure! Yes, right amidst the high seas and all that comes with it, is a crazy adventure. 

Nani Ki Naav…

The book is a delight for children aged 5 onwards. Since it’s in Hindi, it is a good read for older children who are learning the language at school as well. The words captivate because of the rhythm. As the poem progresses, it gently introduces new words thereby building vocabulary. There is a LOT of repetition which young children absolutely love. The rhythmic manner in which the words string together makes reading aloud quite fun. There is a lot of humour woven into the book…in the words as well as the illustrations. 

Poetry has the genre of “nonsense rhymes” which are an artform in itself. They have a crucial role to play in language. Nani Ki Naav incorporates an element of the whimsical and nonsensical, in Hindi of course. This makes it a highly original and creative work! 

A book that you simply must have on your bookshelf! So, are you ready for an adventure on the high seas?