BOOK Title: A LITTLE BOOK OF MAGICAL PLANTS Author: Ruskin Bond Publisher: Rupa Publications India.  Book Review     A Little Book of Magical Plants by Ruskin Bond.            I stumbled upon this cute and charming little book in my Kindle library and picked it because it was written by one of my favourite authors, Ruskin Bond.   In A Little Book of Magical Plants , the renowned author makes us look at plants with respect and awe. This cute little book, written and illustrated in green, is bound to delight adults and children alike.    Bond begins his little book about his favourite plants, shrubs, and trees with his lucky rubber plant, which he says loves to move. It grows all over the place. He shares quirky anecdotes, like how much he loves an aloo–french bean curry and how the tomato, a staple in Indian cuisine, was first considered poisonous.     His keen powers of observation and fondness for his plants s...

    Hello, Mr. Bond, Happy birthday and still happy writing. Congratulations on your new publications for early learners—ABC  and 123, and Laugh With Me.  It’s no mean feat that you, sir, continue to regale us with tales that are so endearing in their simplicity and relatability. My first read was the Book of Humour, which left me in good spirits and grinning at the antics of Uncle Ken, your lovable grandparents, and others. After that, I acquired quite a collection of your books. … Sir, you use no bombastic words, nor do you script elaborate dramas, yet we remain hooked from the very first line. You write a haiku, a limerick, and a spooky tale with equal ease! How wonderful is that? I remember asking for your books at a local book fair and being told they were all sold out. You bring us the magic of the mountains, trees, rivers, animals, and even a tiny moth or snail in words that linger long after we’ve finished reading. You’ve written a verse...

  Young at Heart: Living with Intention     My mother-in-law made a conscious decision to stay young at heart, and until she passed away at 91, she was cooking, attending church services, participating in church activities, and practising yoga. There were a few ailments, but she never let them deter her from living life to the fullest as much as was possible. At 61, I try to use my mother-in-law as a role model and not give in to the limitations that aging brings. Staying “young at heart” doesn’t mean clinging to youth. It means making a conscious decision to remain joyful, curious, and open. Ageing is inevitable, but how we view the ageing process is a conscious choice we make. Some feel weighed down, while others choose to embrace each year with intention and adventure.   What does it mean to be young at heart?   ·       Choosing to laugh freely and often because laughter is the best medicine. ·    ...

    I don’t quite remember when I began reading books written by the legendary author Ruskin Bond but I took to his writing like a duck takes to water. The simplicity of his writing appealed to me tremendously. I continue to read his work and eagerly wait for a new release because at ninety the man is still writing. The celebrated author turned 90 in May this year and said that he would continue writing for as long as possible. Mr. Bond, quips, “Just like old soldiers never die, they just fade away, old writers never die, they simply go out of print." Born in Kasuali on May 19th, 1934 Ruskin Bond in a career spanning 60 years has penned novels, essays, poems, short stories, and some spooky stories that are loved by adults and children alike.  He wrote his first short story, ‘The Untouchable’ when he was just 16.   The Illustrated Weekly of India serialized Mr. Bond’s first novel, ‘A Room on the Roof’ and another legend, cartoonist Mario Miranda created the...