Ten Goa books by, and for, children

The Bridge At Borim
By Surekha Panandikar
Price: Rs. 14
Pp 79 /(1999)
A fascinating tale of the exploits of a young boy, Joze,
during the struggle for Goa’s liberation from Portuguese
rule. (Available from: OIBS, Mapusa)

Alfie Alphonso: The search for the mystical Crystal
By Odette Mascarenhas
Price: Rs. 175
Pp337 (2006)
Ever since Harry Potter became a phenomenon, more and more writers are trying their hand at the imaginary. Odette Mascarenhas has penned a story of a fairy godmother who enters the desolate world of a young Goan lad from Aldona village and transports him to the World of Magic where he tries to outwit the Dark Lord of Magic and his cohorts who are hell bent on preventing him from finding the Mystical Crystal. Will this book capture the imagination as did Potter? Recently published, it is too soon to tell. (OIBS)

The Sea Bird
By Mangala Anaveker
Price: Rs. 100
Pp 84 (2001)
A tale set in Goa, this book offers reflections on life interspersed in a fairly interesting narrative

Free From School
By Rahul Alvares
Price: Rs. 100
Pp.112 (1999)
Sixteen-year-old snake-loving Goan, Rahul Alvares, opted out of school for a year, to unravel for himself the mysteries of nature’s wonders reptiles, crocodiles, spiders, earthworms and turtles. This book reports Rahul’s thrilling real-life learning, which students and teachers will find enormously engrossing.

The Portrait
By Frederika Menezes
Price: Rs. 100
Pp.81 (1998)
Sensitive thoughts, ideas and oodles of humour by a young, bubbly spastic. She translates them in poems, which show a remarkable maturity as she shares with the reader her pain, dreams and cheer.

The Pepperns & Wars of the Mind
By Frederika Menezes
Price: Rs. 200
Pp 173 (2003)
A whimsical tale of a world wholly of the imagination authored by a young Goan girl.

Rebecca’s Inheritance
By Sushila Fonseca
Price: Rs. 55
Pp 189 (2002)
An adventure story set in Goa.

Elocution Pieces For Students
By Anita Pinto
Price: Rs. 25
Book 1: Pp. 102 (1995)
Poems and speeches for students of all ages to recite and declaim

Mathematics Manual For Children
By Pratap Naik
Price: Rs. 25
Pp.43 (1996)
Learn arithmetic in Konkani with English translations. Simple steps.

Aquaworld: The environment and ecosystems of coastal goa
By Theresa Almeida
Price: Rs. 270
Pp.267 (1998) LF
A resource book and activity guide.

Source: http://www.otherindiabookstore.com/index.jsp

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A Goan Harry Potter?

“Do you have a book about the Goan Harry Potter, or something of that kind?” I head a curious parent enquire at the bookshop the other day.

Though I’m no addict of the idiot box, I chanced upon  news item on the one of the cable TV channels about the release of Odette Mascarenhas’ ‘Alfie Alphonso: The Search for the Mystical Crystal’.

Of course, when the parent in question enquired, absent-minded me had clean forgotten the title. The bookseller tried to be helpful, searched all over, but infact couldn’t locate a copy.

That’s the tragedy of Goan books. Hardly noticed when published (the cable TV report for this one was an exception), and usually out-of-print or unavailable by the time the demand picks up.

Part of the problem is the scattered nature of the Goan market. The other part is that the printed word doesn’t make news. But isn’t the most severe part of the problem is simply the fact that, as a society, we don’t believe too strongly in investing in the printed word?

So, can we change things, even if in a very small measure? If you’re interested in reading this column, I’ll write it….

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Bad news, good news… from BookWorm

The other day, my four-year-old Aren got his first letter in his life. He was very excited about it. This letter was also addressed to his elder sister, but somehow Aren’s name was mentioned on the envelope.

It didn’t bother him too much that the letter contained bad news. It came from BookWorm in Porvorim, the innovative place that is meant to encourage children to read is closing down. The people running it — Elaine, Sujata and team — tried hard to keep it going.

On the other hand, all is not lost. Panjim’s BookWorm continues its activities. And it’s a very lively place. If you want to get there, just ask anyone around the Sant Inez Church locality. Or look for the big board outside the flat.

For one, I would not hesitate to recommend their Rs 100-per-month fare that gives your child stories, activities, toys and a safe place to keep busy at between 3 to 7 pm on weekdays. Apart from that vital nourishment for the mind, of course.

Another bit of good news comes from Saligao. Late ad-man Frank Simoes’ widow Gita has taken a lot of trouble to support the work done by Giselle Lobo and team at Saligao.

The local Institute at the Arrarim locality of the village has a brand-new reading room for kids, tastefully done up. A good example of what philanthrophy can do when merged with good intentions… and a vision. More villages could learn from such examples, specially the 5 pm ’story hour’ for kids held there on Wednesdays, and the daily library activities (again, for children).

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