This weekend, I read (rather my mom did the read aloud to me) another book from the Blogchatter’s EBook carnival. As per my mom, I am a neverending question bank, when it comes to history. This book gave me so much of raw material to think about. I know, I know, now you all must be anxious to check out which book I am refering to isn’t it? It’s the Colony Kid by Meena aunty.
About the book Colony Kid
The book Colony Kid is all about a kid growing up in the ’80s and the fun they had during that time. Meena aunty’s stories capture her childhood memories in detail and it gave me a picture as to how my mom’s childhood might have been.
My Review of the book:
The first chapter captured my attention as to how being a big sister, Meena aunty was expected to take care of her younger sister. She is just like my friend’s brother. That bhaiyya Sarvesh takes care of both of us (his younger brother and me) during the summer holidays whenever they come to visit their granny here. I wish, I also have a younger sister, whom I can babysit.
Secondly, I loved all the aunty’s doodles and drawings. How they did it in the margins of their books and sheets. We never get to do any of these things. First of all, we don’t do much writing only these days and we type a lot. And, there are no regular powercuts to here. We do have the investors right? So only, when we get floods or cyclones we will be getting powercuts. I do remember one such time, where we all had candlelight dinners and enjoyed it a lot.
The next part that stuck with me is the library part, as the author’s experience is more similar to that of my mom’s. My mom showed me the university library at Tirupati, where she used to go daily during her holidays.
In another chapter, the author mentioned how she spent a long time sitting in the hot sun with all the flies sitting on top of her. First of all, nowadays, we don’t find so many flies in the house. Secondly, my doubt to Meena aunty is what if the flies have eaten you just like that? How could you allow them to sit on you? I honestly, don’t like the buzzing sound they create while flying.
I honestly liked all the chapters and felt as though, I went into that age by reading this book. I felt as though, I and my mom were roaming around the streets of Tirupati while she read this book to me. But one thing, that didn’t gel well, or rather I didn’t like is the comparison corner. Why compare the old to the present? My mom says that it would make the adult readers nostalgic and that’s why the author has kept this one. But from a kid’s point of view, this has become a speed breaker for me while reading the book and hence skipped those boxes after the second chapter. Sorry, aunty for this point.
About the Author:
Meena Chatty is a mother of two, a yoga lover, and a book mad. She is also enthusiastic about painting, art, and languages. She takes great delight in teaching Mathematics to her children and nephews.
One of her most loved traits is to make up stories to help them understand tough concepts or lines that need to be learned by heart. She is an avid learner of everything.
Her blog BalconySunrise reflects the myriad emotions she has on life, everyday situations and
everything in between.
This book “The Colony Kid” has been published in the Blogchatter Ebook Carnival. You can download this book for free for a limited time here. Also, my book Shrav vs Sana got published in the same carnival.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
I am so happy to read this review from a young reader. I am so glad you liked most of my childhood antics. That fly incident was disgusting, in hindsight! But that time, I thought I was doing a science experiment to see how long I would be able to sit in the sun without moving and also to closely study the fly’s body! Forgive me if I disgusted you, My mother certainly was! Ha ha!
About the comparison corner: See I wanted to create a perspective to the narrative and see how the things have changed over the decades. I am now 50 years old, about 35 years ago things were so different from now. It is like a look back, beta.
I am sure, you will look back at 2021 when you are in your 50s and analyse the changes you have seen.
Thank you Meena for taking this review in such a sweet manner. My kid really loved this book and honestly, it opened a new window for him
Such a beautiful and detailed review by young child .This book sounds really nice. Will read it soon
Thank you Simrit.
Meena is a very gifted writer. I have read almost all the chapters of her book, via the A2Z, and thoroughly enjoyed the nostalgic journey.
Loved this adorable review from the point of view of a child.
Thank you Mayuri
I haven’t read this book but after reading your review I would love to and will share it with my kids too. Honest review from a little champ.
Thank you Swati.
Is this the same book you suggested for Ishaanvi? After reading the review, I am surely going to download this, thanks Shrav 🙂
Yeah, Priyanka. Its the same book. Kids would enjoy it a lot
This is such a lovely review from the point of view of a child. I haven’t read any book of Meena. Let’s start with this one. My younger son might like it.
Thank you Shreemayee.
Thanks for sharing such an honest review, Suhasini. The fly episode was yuck but then life is not full of roses 🙂 Even I have so many memories but never penned them down. I have not read Meena’s posts but I have downloaded her book and will surely read it.
Thank you Harjeet.
I was fat in childhood and my colony kids always preferred to play without me. I remember one day, they made a swing with leaves in the garden of one neighborhood uncle, and played around it. When I went to play with them, they didn’t allow me to join them because of my fat body. I can’t forget this experience. I was bitterly hurt and came home and cried a lot. But I always feel a child should play and discuss thoughts with colony kids. Lovely review.
Thank you Swarnali. I can understand how difficult it would have been for you. Hugs to you
I am booknerd and while reading this review I was feeling nostalgic. As a kid and as a mature person our outlook always differs but when we look back and try to connect with our own childhood we may connect or disconnect many dots. I will surely read this book..
Thank you Pamela.
Its so nice that you spend time like this, i would hope to be able to do this and read a complete book and maybe write about his thoughts someday. Its so nice to hear from a childs perspective
Thank you Raunica. It’s one of my ways to put this ever-active and energetic boy to sleep in the night.
Interesting and detailed review. The book seems to be a great read will surely read it soon.
Thank you Smita
Very informative and interesting review. Will read the book soon.
Thank you Smita
I am always in awe with your reviews. They are beautifully detailed and a pleasure to read…
Thank you Jigna. It’s my kid’s views that I capture for these reviews. It’s basically his blog.
Your review is so honest and fresh. Very easy to capture the essence of the book. Even I will be reading the book next.
Thank you Shail
The Colony Kid seems to be an interesting read for kids. Loved the ‘Fly incident’ review by Shrav and the explanation by the author in the comments section.
Thank you Aditi.
This is such a sweet review. Good bless Shrav. It made me nostalgic. I am surely going to pick up the book.
Thank you for dropping by
Looks like this books will have a lot if common points with my own growing up years i felt myself smile and nod in a few places reading your review.
Thank you Vasumathi
Looks like this books will have a lot if common points with my own growing up years i felt myself smile and nod in a few places reading your review.
Shrav is coming up to be quite a reviewer, great going. This review reminded me of my childhood. We rarely stayed put at home, each station dad was posted in. I hope to pick up this book soon.
I have downloaded her book. Lovely review by Shrav. Looking forward to read this one.
Some books take us back to the simpler times and bring back so many sweet memories. This one seems one of them
Very true Priyanka.
Thanks Shrav for your honest review, this book seems to be an interesting read over the weekend, would definitely like to do so, I have already downloaded it.
This book looks like a fun and as always Shrav nailed it in the review, somehow I missed the book in the carnival, will download it for sure.
Yeah, this is one book for easy read and makes the person nostalgic.
How very cute!! Loved the review…..Another added to my to-read list – I must say all your lovely reviews (yours and the others) is making my list long and its a delight!
Thank you
That is such a lovely review from the point of view of a child. Didn’t read anything that Meena has written but now I’m going to and I’m sure my daughter will love it too
Yeah, Kids are going to love this writing, as they would be curious to know about our childhood.
Ok, I am going to download it because the review is very much interesting.
Thank you Monidipa