Thukpa for All - Hardcover

Ram, Praba; Preuitt, Sheela

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 8193388984 ISBN 13: 9788193388983

Publisher: Karadi Tales Picturebooks, 2019

Synopsis

Tsering can’t wait to taste his grandmother’s delicious noodle soup. He invites a string of friends and neighbours home. But as preparations get underway, there is a power cut and the house is plunged into darkness. Will Abi be able to put together the much-anticipated thukpa? Told from a blind child’s perspective, this tale by Praba Ram and Sheela Preuitt is accompanied by Shilpa Ranade’s stunning illustrations. Thukpa for All is featured on the IBBY List of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities (2019)

About this title

About the Author:

Sheela Preuitt & Praba Ram love stories of all sorts. Stories about children, about animals, about food and crafts, about mountains, about prehistoric life, about space, and just about everything in our universe. As children’s authors, they find it essential, and immensely gratifying, to share inclusive narratives showcasing kids who simply want to be who they are. When they are not seeking wisdom from their fuzzy-tailed feline friends, their other purr-suits include concocting soups from varied cuisines, growing seasonal vegetables, and supporting childhood literacy in their community. Praba works with children via book clubs, art appreciation workshops, and writing groups. She has a master’s in Public Policy from UCLA.

Sheela Preuitt & Praba Ram love stories of all sorts. Stories about children, about animals, about food and crafts, about mountains, about prehistoric life, about space, and just about everything in our universe. As children’s authors, they find it essential, and immensely gratifying, to share inclusive narratives showcasing kids who simply want to be who they are. When they are not seeking wisdom from their fuzzy-tailed feline friends, their other purr-suits include concocting soups from varied cuisines, growing seasonal vegetables, and supporting childhood literacy in their community. Day-time coder and night-time writer, Sheela also volunteers as a reading specialist at her kids’ school. She holds a master’s in Science Education.

Shilpa Ranade is an illustrator and an Associate Professor at the Industrial Design Centre at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India. A talented animator and film-maker, Shilpa's works have been exhibited and awarded at various national and international film festivals.

Review:

"The authors not only introduce us to a bit of their culture, but also show the quiet competence of the blind boy Tsering. Great to teach about culture and to create empathy." (Kiss The Book)

"Alliteration and a bit of onomatopoeia are used to describe Tsering’s travels, subtly noting his blindness and how he interacts with his environment. Colorful, childlike illustrations complement the telling, revealing a rather remote locale and culture...An appealing introduction to a part of the world that’s underrepresented in picture books." (School Library Journal)

It is a beautiful story of give and take in a community. At the end of the story I was left with a longing for a Thukpa bowl and what is fantastic is that the book holds a recipe too to satiate that longing.

That Tsering is blind is woven subtly into the story. Everyone around him accepts it and you do too, because that becomes beside the point. You see him walking alone, meeting and greeting people enroute and helping around the house as any child would. (Saffron Tree)

"The story paints a beautiful picture of a tightly-knit community, who look out for each other. Shilpa Ranade’s illustrations perfectly capture the serenity of Ladakh. From their clothes to the colourful prayer flags hung on the roads, there is an authenticity to the illustrations." (MultiStory.in)

The book treats its visually-impaired protagonist, Tsering, with restraint, tact, and maturity...The writers use textures, sounds, and smells to evoke spaces and atmospheres, and tries to draw attention to how a blind child experiences the world around him. (Goodbooks)

Narrated from the view point of a visually impaired child Tsering, the story beautifully weaves in the point that specially abled children are no different from others though they can stun others with their unexpected capabilities. (Mums And Stories)

This quaint and absolutely adorable children's book is sure to make anyone smile, irrespective of their age. Introducing the young reader subtly to the Ladakhi way of life, 'Thukpa For All' is the perfect introduction for any child, if you'd like to expand their curiosity to India's pristine cold desert in Jammu & Kashmir. From the drawings that do the geography and the people justice, to simple rhymes and words that's sure to be picked up by your child ― the only thing you're going to be sad about is not being invited to that Thukpa party. (Provoke Magazine)

“This is a heartwarming story of community and the gifts that each person possesses. Recommended for ages 4 – 8.” (The Barefoot Mommy)

"Told from the unique perspective of a child who is visually impaired, Thukpa for All is a beautiful story about community, compassion, and culture. Praba Ram and Sheila Preuitt do an extraordinary job of allowing the reader to envision what it must be like to have limited sight. The duo describe so eloquently how Tsering uses his senses to guide him and identify familiar sounds, scents, and textures. They put his character on display, portraying him as a confident, capable, and outgoing child who has concern for those around him. Additionally, they weave cultural terms, rhyme, and alliteration into this sweet story...The illustrations throughout it, as well as on the cover, are detailed and alluring. They shine with vibrancy, and their bright colors bring the Indian culture to life, making this a perfect pick for young children interested in learning about this unique country." (Manhattan Book Review)

The story is simple and heartwarming, with a message of friendship and generosity. And it also shows how one can not only be independent, but also help others even when one is visually impaired. Tsering's joyful life (filled with family and friends and delicious food) in the difficult terrain of Ladakh is a wonderful example of how one can be happy even in the face of tough circumstances.
Highly recommended for kids aged 4-6. (The Book Chief)

About this edition

• Publisher: Karadi Tales Picturebooks
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 8193388984
• ISBN 13: 9788193388983
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Ranade Shilpa