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Mina vs. the Monsoon
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Mina loves to play soccer all year around. Nothing comes close to it. But when the monsoon arrives, Mina is stuck indoors and she can’t help feeling restless and bored. Her ammi doesn’t understand. The doodhwalla doesn’t understand. That’s when Mina decides she’ll find ways of chasing away the clouds herself. In doing so, she makes an unexpected discovery. Soccer will neve
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I wasn't sure at first what to make of Mina vs. the Monsoon. I had a bit of a love/don't-love-so-much reaction to the illustrations. Some charmed me, while others just weren't my cup of tea. But, I do think a lot of children will be drawn to the bright colours and engaging faces.
The basic premise here is that Mina, a young girl living in India, would really like to go outside to play soccer, but it's monsoon season and there's a storm on the way.
Stuck indoors, Mina must find ways to occ ...more
The basic premise here is that Mina, a young girl living in India, would really like to go outside to play soccer, but it's monsoon season and there's a storm on the way.
Stuck indoors, Mina must find ways to occ ...more
I thought this story was going to go in a completely different direction... and I'm not sure I like how it ultimately ended.
Mina is a girl who is completely obsessed with soccer. When the rain comes, her mother doesn't want her to go outside and play in it, saying she'll catch a cold. She offers chai and samosas instead... which I would've accepted gladly. (Forget the stupid soccer!) While Mina is waiting for the rain to go away, she tries to come up with ways to chase away the monsoon: playing ...more
Mina is a girl who is completely obsessed with soccer. When the rain comes, her mother doesn't want her to go outside and play in it, saying she'll catch a cold. She offers chai and samosas instead... which I would've accepted gladly. (Forget the stupid soccer!) While Mina is waiting for the rain to go away, she tries to come up with ways to chase away the monsoon: playing ...more
2,5/5. Nice open window to another culture, big thumbs up for that, it show some difference but also some thing that are alike from one culture to another so it can open some mind in a world that really need it, but unfortunately not a very good book in itself...
A lovely story about a girl who wants to play soccer even though it's raining season. So, her mom is helping her continue her game by joining her outside. The illustrations are nice, colorful, but I did not like it much.
Thanks Netgalley for this copy. ...more
Thanks Netgalley for this copy. ...more
This is a delightful book about a little girl, Mina, who wants to play soccer, but can't because of the rainy weather outside. (It is monsoon season). She can't understand why her mother won't let her. She tries to distract herself, but just can't.
Then she discovers that her mother used to play soccer, and she gives her her old jersey, and the rain stops, and they go out and play together.
I love that the mother used to play, and still plays with her daughter. I also love that Mina has such a pas ...more
Then she discovers that her mother used to play soccer, and she gives her her old jersey, and the rain stops, and they go out and play together.
I love that the mother used to play, and still plays with her daughter. I also love that Mina has such a pas ...more
This was a delightful book! My daughters and I all loved it for different reasons- they loved the colorful illustrations, and the story itself-about a little girl in India who just wants to play soccer all day. I loved it because of the little snippets of Indian culture, the translation guide in the back, and MOST of all- the explanation at the end about why so many young girls are playing organized soccer in India today- “to combat the common practice of child marriage, give the young girls a s
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A charming tale of a young girl in an Indian village who just wants to play soccer/football, but can't because it's raining. Lovely illustrations bring the story to vivid life as we see Mina try to find a way to get to do what she loves most, finding out something unexpected along the way. A good story for little ones that adults can enjoy re-reading aloud over and over again too.
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Why we chose this book:
Instagram. I saw an image posted by Yali Books for an upcoming publication that was absolutely stunning. So, I wanted to know what the book was, then what Yali Books was. They are a children's book publisher focusing on South Asia. If you've followed me this far, then you know how I value books featuring characters of different backgrounds. And if you're a new reader, I hope you'll find some new favorites and enjoy our recommendations for books that foster intercultural un ...more
Instagram. I saw an image posted by Yali Books for an upcoming publication that was absolutely stunning. So, I wanted to know what the book was, then what Yali Books was. They are a children's book publisher focusing on South Asia. If you've followed me this far, then you know how I value books featuring characters of different backgrounds. And if you're a new reader, I hope you'll find some new favorites and enjoy our recommendations for books that foster intercultural un ...more
@kidlitexchange #partner
Mina LOVES soccer and is distraught when monsoon season arrives because monsoons mean she can’t play outside! Mina and Ammi (mother) live in a village in north east India where monsoons are an important part of the ecosystem. The author - Rukhsanna Guidroz - uses several Urdu/Hindi words, which are italicized and defined in a glossary.
Ammi prepares to celebrate the monsoon by making chai, samosa, and flower garlands. The doodh wallah (milkman) says the monsoon is necessar ...more
Mina LOVES soccer and is distraught when monsoon season arrives because monsoons mean she can’t play outside! Mina and Ammi (mother) live in a village in north east India where monsoons are an important part of the ecosystem. The author - Rukhsanna Guidroz - uses several Urdu/Hindi words, which are italicized and defined in a glossary.
Ammi prepares to celebrate the monsoon by making chai, samosa, and flower garlands. The doodh wallah (milkman) says the monsoon is necessar ...more
Mina Vs the Monsoon is a picturebook written by Rukhsanna Guidroz , and illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta. Mina loves to play soccer all year round. Nothing comes close to it. But when the monsoon arrives, Mina is stuck indoors and she can’t help feeling restless and bored. Her ammi doesn’t understand. The doodhwalla doesn’t understand. Soccer-mad Mina tries just about any trick to stop the monsoon clouds from raining on her game. In doing so, she shows us glimpses of her life in a village in ea
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“Mina vs. the Monsoon,” by Rukhsanna Guidroz and illustrated by @debasmitadasgupta, might be our new favorite picture book! Mina loves soccer and doesn’t want the monsoon to stop her from being able to play. She tries several ways to get the gloomy clouds and rains to leave – all while sharing glimpses into her culture and life in a village in the northern states of India. This book will warm your heart with the bond created between Mina and her mother. Gorgeous bright illustrations bring this s
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The story of Mina vs. the Monsoon is about a young girl in India who would rather be outside playing soccer than inside waiting for the rains to stop. Although her mom tries to tempt her with baking, she has her mind set on thinking up ways to get the rain to go away.
The illustrations are very vivid and colorful which will be appealing to the younger audience. Both Urdu and Hindi words are used throughout the book with a short glossary at the end.
I also appreciate the explanation that many org ...more
The illustrations are very vivid and colorful which will be appealing to the younger audience. Both Urdu and Hindi words are used throughout the book with a short glossary at the end.
I also appreciate the explanation that many org ...more
Mina loves to play soccer, but when the monsoon season comes, she is stuck inside. Her mother and the milk-man try to bring comfort, but Mina decides to drive away the rain. In her efforts, she discovers that her mother was a soccer player too. Eventually, the rains do stop and the two of them go outside to play soccer together. This is a lightly told story of female-empowerment in India. It offers a peek into an average life, and offers hope of what that life can become other than the long-esta
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Mina VS. The Monsoon by Rukhsanna Guidroz
A story of misunderstanding and understanding. Of frustration and discovery. Of battling the elements, and making peace with them.
Mina loves soccer.
“Running with the ball, weaving in and out until it is just you and the goal…”
But Ammi sees the monsoon rain approaching, and forbids Mina from going out to play.
“…she (Ammi) has never felt that explosion of happiness when you score,” Mina tells little elephant.
Nobody understands. Not Ammi, not the doodh wall ...more
A story of misunderstanding and understanding. Of frustration and discovery. Of battling the elements, and making peace with them.
Mina loves soccer.
“Running with the ball, weaving in and out until it is just you and the goal…”
But Ammi sees the monsoon rain approaching, and forbids Mina from going out to play.
“…she (Ammi) has never felt that explosion of happiness when you score,” Mina tells little elephant.
Nobody understands. Not Ammi, not the doodh wall ...more
This is a very cute book in which poor Mina is being kept housebound by a monsoon when all she wants to do is play soccer. She thinks her mother doesn't understand, but eventually learns that her mother used to be frustrated by just the same thing. The note at the book's end about humanitarian groups organizing soccer games to get girls involved and prevent child marriage is a little heartbreaking, but in a hopeful way.
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In this lively picture book, all Mina wants to do is play soccer, but an impending monsoon ruins her plans. Her mom doesn't understand her, and all her efforts to magic away the monsoon fail. Told with colorful illustrations and interspersed with Urdu and Hindi words (with a glossary in the back, as well as context clues in the text), this story both entertains and teaches about Indian culture.
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I guess moms are the same all around the world; when children want to go outside and play, but it is raining, moms say, "No! You'll catch a cold." Poor Mina, just wanting to play football, and being thwarted by the weather. The illustrations were charming, and I appreciated how she tried to find her own outlets for her energy and for dispelling the rain.
I also liked that she found her mom's old footballer jersey and that they ended up playing outside together. The glossary of words was helpful ...more
I also liked that she found her mom's old footballer jersey and that they ended up playing outside together. The glossary of words was helpful ...more
Great to see some representation for the desi bachas. This book is seriously gorgeous and the story is very sweet. Perfect for kids stuck inside while it rains outside. They can enjoy it while eating samosas. 😉❤
I love reading books about other cultures, and it was really nice to see a little girl love soccer and not dolls or dress up. It was very out of the box. Definitely a favorite in our household.
More books like this please!
A delightful book about a girl who wants to play soccer though it is raining outside. She learns a secret about her mother in the process. Beautiful illustrations
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
Vivid images and thoughtful text weave together to create an engaging book. This book is a work of art. Highly recommended.
You know, at first I was meh about this book until I got to the end and realized that it isn't about the monsoon. This is more about a young girl finding passion in a sport that is seen as a sport for boys and that soccer teams are organized for girls in order to keep them from being married off at a young age.
Then I understood how vital this book is. ...more
Then I understood how vital this book is. ...more
Mina vs. the Monsoon is a young reader that introduces Mina, who loves playing soccer in Eastern India. I like that the book uses several phrases that are probably not familiar to the average English reader. There is a small pronunciation guide in the back with definitions, although I think most words are easy for older readers to understand in context.
Mina doesn't give up when the beginning of the rainy season, known as Monsoon, threatens her game. She persists in trying to figure out a solutio ...more
Mina doesn't give up when the beginning of the rainy season, known as Monsoon, threatens her game. She persists in trying to figure out a solutio ...more
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Family: Daughter and mother
Location: Bihar or Jharkhand states of India
Sports: Soccer
A monsoon will not dampen Mina's persistent desire to play soccer, as she tries different ways to thwart the heavy rainfall. When the rainfall slows, Mina and her mother share a sweet moment together as they play soccer in the mud.
Soccer books are always welcome but this goes above and beyond with an excellent story, a child sharing the same passion as their parent, and it being a mother ...more
Family: Daughter and mother
Location: Bihar or Jharkhand states of India
Sports: Soccer
A monsoon will not dampen Mina's persistent desire to play soccer, as she tries different ways to thwart the heavy rainfall. When the rainfall slows, Mina and her mother share a sweet moment together as they play soccer in the mud.
Soccer books are always welcome but this goes above and beyond with an excellent story, a child sharing the same passion as their parent, and it being a mother ...more
An adorable story about being stuck inside during the rain, when you want nothing more than to be outside playing soccer. Def add to your collection of kids books!
This is an important "own voices" book that can help American children learn about life in India. Foreign words are defined and there is a note about the context of the story at the end. Otherwise, there's not a strong emotional connection to the main character and there's not much of a transformative experience. The illustrations are ugly.
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I love having the chance to read a book about an Indian girl playing soccer, as it is an important and too rarely depicted topic in picture books. I was pleased that the book focuses on expressing your feelings, finding a way to entertain yourself when you are bored, and building positive family relationships.
But then, in the middle of the book, something disappointed me: How come her mom chose not to tell her before that she played soccer when she was younger. I don't really understand why it ...more
But then, in the middle of the book, something disappointed me: How come her mom chose not to tell her before that she played soccer when she was younger. I don't really understand why it ...more
This book tells of a young Pakistani girl who is obsessed with playing soccer. Sad because the weather prevents her from going out, she tries to make the rain go away—does not sing the famous rhyme but does do a dance—with the help of her trusty, if not real, elephant. At the end she and her mom realize what every soccer-playing kid knows: it’s more fun playing in the mud.
The guide to Urdu and Hindi words would have been more welcome at the front, but at least it’s there.
Not sure what the moral ...more
The guide to Urdu and Hindi words would have been more welcome at the front, but at least it’s there.
Not sure what the moral ...more
ARC Review: Received for free via Netgalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was cute and quick. I think it would be something my nieces and nephews would enjoy, the whole scenario would relate to them: being bored because you can't go outside because it's raining and trying to find ways to make the rain go away.
I liked it.
I think the note at the end made me appreciate this book more. ...more
This was cute and quick. I think it would be something my nieces and nephews would enjoy, the whole scenario would relate to them: being bored because you can't go outside because it's raining and trying to find ways to make the rain go away.
I liked it.
I think the note at the end made me appreciate this book more. ...more
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