I Is for India

by Prodeepta Das (Illustrator)

With a special focus on Indian children, this book captures the stunning variety of life in a country that is also a subcontinent. Using an A-Z format, Prodeepta Das introduces young readers to social details both ancient and modern, such as the happy chaos of bustling cities, where the cinema rules, as well as the quiet traditions of rural life. I Is for India contains beautiful images of everything from Mehndi, elaborate filigrees of tattoos worn by young women at weddings and festivals, to the country's splendid national bird, the peacock.

Genres: Picture Books, Geography, Cultural

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Prodeepta Das is a professional photographer.

Reviews

[Lucia Benzor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! What a great way to learn the sounds of different letters and be fun and different and learn about another country all at the same time. A very rare find among typical ABC books!! Filled with real pictures and descriptions of what they are looking at, so much can be taken from it. While there will be times where they won't totally be sure what it is in the picture that starts with that particular letter, this would be a read-aloud for sure.

[Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not knowing much about India (at least not much more than others were taught in elementary school), I was anxious to read this book. Written in an ABC style, with most pages having only one letter, a photo, and discussion, the book moved right along. It can be read to a youngster, or enjoyed by an adult. In both cases, the result is a delight at the color and substance.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Camille Tesch]

India 6-8

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to India, for people of all ages! It has an A-B-C format, but is recommended for everyone!

[Elizabeth]

I really like the idea of this book (hence why I got it from the library), but I feel like it's a lot of text and small-ish pictures (or perhaps more accurately, the alphabet item doesn't always feel clear/prominent in the photograph used) for kids who are learning the alphabet.

"Most people living outside the cities have no television, so going to the movies is a favorite way for families to spend their spare time." Okay, this book was written in 1996.

I wish it had mentioned that "sadhu" (and "yatra") is a Hindu term rather than presenting it as some sort of pan-Indian thing. In other places, the book is clear about certain things being religiously specific, which makes the elisions here more disappointing (unless the Internet is misleading me and these really are pan-Indian terms?).