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sChoLAstIC
Chennai, 6th August 2011:
Mrs. Kumud Raj
Principal, Akshayah Matriculation
Hr. Sec. School, Velachery, Chennai
WHY I BECAME A TEACHER
I always knew that teaching was
going to be my life for it was
something that I loved doing.
Encouraged by a family steeped in
the teaching tradition, I stepped into
this profession and my journey for
the last thirty one years has been one
of passion, commitment, wonder,
dedication and a deep contentment.
CATCh
ThE
buzz In
your
CITy!
The Chennai edition of The Scholastic Wordmaster
Challenge was held on 6th August 2011 in association with
Sacred heart Matriculation hr. Sec. School –Chennai. The
event saw teams from 64 schools in Chennai participate in a
high-octane, nail-biting event, compered by nanni Singh who
has hosted various international corporate conferences. There
was a written preliminary round from which 8 teams qualified
for the final contest. Two more teams were further eliminated
leaving 5 to compete for the trophy. The chief guest for the
event was Mr. Sanjay Pinto-Executive Editor nDTV-Metro, who
also gave away the prizes and certificates to the winners.
Winners of the competition are as follows:
First Place: Pon Vidyashram-Injambakkam
Effy Oommen John and
Hariharan.G
Second Place: P.S.Senior
Secondary School-Mylapore
Pranav Hari G. and Pranav
Kamesh S
Third Place: Vael’s billbong
high school-Injambakkam
Sanjuktha Badrinarayan and Divyata Muralidharan
PRINCIPALSpeak
In my many years as a teacher, I have
learnt to go with the flow. I have
learnt that to reach the minds of
children, I have to be interested in the
things they like and do, to view things
from their perspective. And being
passionate about my subject is not
enough; I have to show the children
that I genuinely care about them.
During my seven years as a Principal,
I have realized how important it is
to teach them that there is a world
beyond marks and careers. It is vital
to teach them courtesy, punctuality,
discipline, kindness
and compassion.
In our school, we
try to make our
children realize that
a fulfilling life is one
of awareness of
others’ needs, and
Scholastic
Wordmaster
Challenge
2011
Bangalore, 11th August 2011
The bangalore Wordmaster Challenge was held
on 11th August 2011 in association with Sindhi
high School hebbal. The show was compered by
nanni Singh. The contest had 45 schools battling
it out for the SWC Trophy 2011. Mr biharilal
Menda, the Chairman of Sindhi Seva Samiti, was
the chief Guest for the event.
Winners of the competition are as follows:
First Place: The Frank Anthony Public School
Varun Kasturi and Arjun Joshua
Second Place: Vidya niketan School-hebbal
Subhashini D and Mohana Gopinath
Third Place: national Public School-Indiranagar
Sashwati Da Cunha and Antara Jha
that happiness and contentment
come when we touch other lives
meaningfully.
There is inherent nobility in this
profession. I can make a difference in
someone’s life by recognizing latent
talent, encouraging the introverted
child to step into the sunshine, lending
a sympathetic ear, turning the
class bully into a responsible leader
and most of all by loving them.
After thirty one years as a teacher, I
know that this is the most rewarding
profession of them all.
Siddhartha
Sarma’s young
adult novel, The
Grasshopper’s
Run, has won
the 2011 bal
Sahitya Puraskar
(set up by the
Sahitya Akademi)
for children’s
literature in
English. Set in the Second World War in
Assam and nagaland The Grasshopper’s
Run is about the friendship between a
naga boy and his Assamese friend. It
had also won the Vodafore Crossword
Award for Children’s Literature, 2009.
Among other winners were seven
books of poetry, five novels, collection
of five short stories, one of folk tales
and plays and five writers for their Total
Contribution to Children Literature.
The Awards were recommended
by distinguished Jury members
representing 24 Indian languages
and approved by the Executive board
of the Sahitya Akademi which met
today under the Chairmanship of Sri
Sunil Gangopadhyay, President of the
Sahitya Akademi.
News
September 2011
Newsflash
The Grasshopper’s
Run gets Sahitya
Akademi Award
The all new 39 Clues
series is here!
Cahills vs. Vespers - book one
The Medusa Plot
Are you ready to
save the world?
The bestselling
series returns
with an adventure
spanning 6
explosive books,
2 secret-filled
card packs, and
a website that
places readers right in the action.
For more information and to buy the
book, please log on to
www.scholastic.co.in
Scholastic India at the
17th Delhi Book Fair
The Delhi book Fair is a much-awaited
event where publishers, booksellers,
authors, translators and book-lovers of all
age groups come together to celebrate,
buy and sell books.
Since 1995 the Delhi book Fair (DbF) has
established itself as an annual event which
showcases the Indian Publishing Industry.
The 17th edition of Delhi book Fair took
place between August 27 and September
04, 2011 at Pragati Maidan, new Delhi.
Scholastic India made its presence
felt with a bright and colourful stall,
displaying images of our very own
Clifford and Geronimo Stilton. With
books ranging from the complete
Geronimo collection to picture books,
Indian fiction, young adult books, activity
books and storybooks, the stall had
something to offer every child, whatever
her tastes might be.
It was wonderful to see little children in
prams, brought by bibliophile mothers
who claimed that books were the only
thing that kept them still. There were
girls who made a beeline for the young
adult shelf and asked for love stories;
there were teachers who pored excitedly
over the books in the education shelves;
there were children pleading with their
parents to buy just one more book…
In addition to the usual discounts, we had
exciting freebies on offer at the Scholastic
India stall – a bubble pen with every
Geronimo Stilton book, a cap with every
purchase and a scratch card distributed by
Clifford at the entrance to the fair, with the
possibility of more discounts and fun gifts.

AuthoR
Corner
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aradhana Bisht
is an alumnus of
Jawaharlal nehru
university, Delhi,
where she studied
russian Literature.
She has worked
with harperCollins
Publishers India
and Penguin books
India. Aradhana lives
in Delhi with her
husband.
Russian
Folktales
In a certain
kingdom, in a
certain land,
there lives a witch
called baba yaga,
a prince by the
name of Ivan,
a serpent with
twelve heads that
plunges the land
into darkness, a
wood sprite that
talks to the moon,
9788184776959 | 152 pp | 150
a feather that
becomes a prince when it touches the ground,
a princess who has magic at her fingertips, a
terrifying sorcerer who cannot be killed...
In this land, riddles have to be solved, perilous
worlds ventured into, heroic feats performed,
disasters averted, before the princes, princesses,
or even ordinary folk, can find true love and live
happily ever after.
This book leads you into that land by bringing
to you some of its best-loved tales—the russian
folktales. Sometimes dark, often funny, heartwarming
and full of adventure, they will
entertain young and old alike.
Q&A Q&A
Q When were all these stories written? Are there
more like these ones?
A Folktales have existed through times
immemorial. In russia, they started being collected
around the 17th and 18th centuries, but it was only in
the early decade of the 19th century that russian folklorists started
recording and compiling the tales. Some collectors travelled on foot
through the countryside collecting folktales and sayings, and some
became acquainted with them from local women in their hometown.
Alexander Afanasaev, a prominent collector, recorded and published
over 600 russian folktales – the most substantial collection of folktales
by any one man in the world. he did for the russian folktales what the
brothers’ Grimm did for German fairytales.
There are hundreds more russian folktales. The ones compiled in my
book are what are called ‘wonder tales’ as they deal with magic and
transformation.
Q Do you have a favourite character in these folktales?
A over the years, there have been many characters that I have liked
and disliked, and upon re-reading sometimes revised my opinion, like
in the case of baba yaga who terrified me when I was young, but today,
I see her as a majestic force of nature intent on doing the right thing.
Ivan the Fool, whose simplicity makes him seem like an idiot, is one of
my favourites. he is lazy and lackadaisical, but at the same time he has
a kind heart, a sense of justice that makes him take on things that are
perhaps better suited to a different kind of hero.
Also I loved all the women characters, like Marya Morevna, Vasilissa,
Elena, who are strong and independent and go on quests of their own
whether to seek the hero, or fight battles for their people.
Q Are Indian folktales similar to russian folktales in any way? Why are
folktales called folktales?
A Folktales are the very first stories of a people. Folktales were passed
through word of mouth, through generations. A single story was retold
over centuries. Very often, it changed and evolved, acquiring several
layers, as each generation claimed it for its own and found meaning to
understand their own reality.
In a time when there was no television, cinema or computers they
provided entertainment and stimulation to the people.
Some of the well-known stories of our people are Panchatantra,
Kathasaritasagar, and they continue to be retold even today. The
themes of folktales the world over resonate with parallels. Who has not
read a folktale that tells of the victory of good over evil, of overcoming
obstacles to fulfill a dream, of coming together in the face of injustice,
the pitfalls of greed or sloth, and so on.
For all folktales express the same hopes, dreams and fears that people
have all over the world. yet the folktales of every people, tribe, clan
or country are different and unique too as they represent a unique
geography, religious and socio-cultural beliefs.
Q Are all folktales old? Are there any modern russian folktales from
this century?
A Strictly speaking, folktales are very old traditional narratives of a
people. but they will continue to be retold, revisited and revitalized
as long as there are people. one views them as modern parables and
urban legends.
Q Which is your favorite russian folktale?
A Feather of Finist, the Bright Falcon in this collection, as the image
of a young, simple, protected girl stepping out into an unknown world
to make a wrong right and fight for her love is very appealing. her guts
and persistence to take on an adventure that is fraught with potential
danger and difficulty, magical elements, unexpected twists and turns
is tremendous. To see her personality transform and her character
become strong as her journey tests her, is inspiring.
Interview by Gayathri Sankar, Class VII, Mother’s International School, Delhi
LIbRARIANRecommends
Geronimo
Stilton
for class IV
students
This series
tell the
delightful
tale of the
antics of
Geronimo.
medIAReviews
ChILdReN’sReview REVIEW
The Best days of my life
The Secrets
of Droon
series by
Tony Abbot
Magical and
fantasy tales
appealing to
sixth graders.
The book “The best days of my life” by Scharada Dubey is one of
the best books I have read. This book puts forth all the childhood
stories of famous people and how they had the spark within them
right from the beginning and how they finally turned out to be
great pioneers in their respective fields. It describes the childhood
stories of twenty five great eminent people who made their mark
in this world. This book greatly inspired me to pursue my dreams. It
was very enlightening to read about Gautama buddha, Kabir, and
Swami Vivekananda who were great saints. It was motivating to
read about Gandhiji, nehru and Abraham Lincoln who were famous
leaders. It was thrilling to read about Tenzing norgay, neil Armstrong. There is so much to
learn from the stories of Mark Spitz, Pele, Kapil Dev and brian Lara and their invaluable contribution
to the world of sports. The stories revolving around Satyajit ray, Steven Spielberg,
A.r.rahman, John Lenon (founder of ‘The beatles’) are incredible. The great scientists and
writers like Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Enid blyton, J.K rowling had me spell bound. There
were many more. It is a beautiful, highly inspiring book that every child should read.
Look out for recommendations
from a new librarian every month!
Ms Nirmala Sebastian, Librarian, (Sacred heart Mat. hr. Sec. School, Chennai) says- “I choose to stock my library with
Scholastic books because I find that they cover all genres. The book cover is extremely attractive and the print good. The
books cater appropriately to the age group that the book specifies. For younger children the tastefully done illustrations
make them readable. For the older children the good language, interesting characters, and the intricately woven plot make
reading pleasurable.” She recommends the following books:
Samit Basu’s Terror on
the Titanic, a Morningstar
Agency Adventure; a
delicious combination of
mystery and time travel
from a fabulous writer
—YA Magazine,
August 2011
Usborne Very First Reading Books: For those who are
just starting out on the exciting journey of reading,
Scholastic has come out with a series of 15 books
that are sure to help. This series is developed in such
a manner that each new book builds on the words
learnt in the previous book. Lovely rhyming stories
and colourful illustrations to make sure that the
interest of the child never flags
—The Hindu Young World, May 2011
A.Sai Kaushik, VIII standard, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Public School, Hyderabad.
These books are delightful gateways to
fantasy for older children.
The Secret of
Platform 13
and
Which Witch
by Eva
Ibbotson
The Indus Investigators. A Mohenjodaro
Mystery brings alive the story of the
Indus Valley or harappan Civilization
in a unique and different manner. The
author, Ilona Aronovsky, flawlessly
weaves together the ancient past with the
present, and with the process of the actual
discovery and excavation of Mohenjodaro
—blogger, Shanti Pappu, August 2011
A SCHOLASTIC BOOK
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