Celebrate Durga Puja With Me! - Paperback

by Abira Das (Illustrator), Shoumi Sen (Author)

This book is part of the series 'From The Toddler Diaries' and celebrates Durga Puja as experienced by 3 year old Riya. This artfully portrayed '5 Days of Pujo' appeals to young and old alike. Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Bijoya Dashami - the cultural colors have a pronounced Bengali connection, but are universal to Durga Puja celebrations across several communities. Easy to read and enthusiastically endorsed by 3-8 year olds and their parents.From The Toddler Diaries: Pictures. A thousand words. A series of illustrated books which celebrates the spectrum of Indian festivals as experienced by a toddler. Presented in poetry and color, 'From The Toddler Diaries' is designed to drape parents and children in vivid hues of India's cultural fabric. The inspiration behind this collection comes from an appreciation of a child's clarity in perception, which becomes magical because of its simplicity.

Author Biography

'From The Toddler Diaries' started as a series of poems that Shoumi wrote for her daughter. This collection, in its stapled makeshift binding, was the center of several bedtime story sessions and play dates with friends. Inspired by this interest amongst kids and encouraged by their parents, she decided to publish the collection. Shoumi is a Strategy, Sales and Marketing professional at a leading Energy Management company. She grew up in Bombay and Dubai and studied Engineering at BITS, Pilani and the University of Maryland, College Park. She loves to travel, has lived and worked in many countries, and currently lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and daughter. 'Celebrate Durga Puja with Me' started as a thought while holidaying in Australia. Shoumi and her family attended Durga Puja celebrations in Brisbane with an old friend she grew up with in Bombay. "Bombay comes alive with festivities for five days every year during Pujo," they reminisced, as they attended a condensed 'weekend Pujo', which is typical outside India. Memories of celebrations from her childhood form the essence of her collection - the frenzied 'dhunuchi' dance during Durga Puja, the rhythmic chants of the oarsmen during Onam or the expression on a friend's face as you snuck up to smear 'abeer' during Holi! "I wanted to recreate these memories in verse for my daughter and kids all over who may not have the opportunity to experience festivals the way we did."