Hathi Chiti books arrived at our house and we spent the afternoon reading.
Reading is something we do at our house. I love watching my five-year-old rejoice at sounding out words and reading a sentence. It makes my heart happy to watch my seven-year-old celebrate the completion of a chapter book. I want to throw a parade for my nine-year-old as she reads the entire series and wants to know another series she’ll love.
Our reading journey began with the company’s first release “In the Indian Night Sky, “Ever wonder why people always welcome the sight of the moon in the night sky, while their feelings about the sun and wind – quite literally – blow hot and cold? This warm and whimsical re-visioning of a classic folk tale from India explains everything.” My kiddos were awe-struck by the illustrations. The book has black pages, making the illustration of the moon, stars, and wind pop into life. The illustrations are crisp, vibrant and come to life through lines that seem to move. Li’l Man, on every page, had to touch and feel the pictures because the are rich in texture and truly enchanting.
In the Indian Night Sky was like a folk-lore telling of how the moon came to be. It is a beautiful story that unfolds seamlessly, captivating the reader. My children were beyond impressed by this book and as soon as we read the last page, were trying to recite the story on their own. Isn’t that what makes a good story…the repetition of sharing?
Hathi Chiti uses eastern-themed characters and concepts as a gateway to educating little ones about different cultures around the world. The company’s award-winning publishing arm, Hathi Chiti Books for Kids, is the first of NY-based global picture book publishers to take an Indian slant all while maintaining a broad, multi-national spirit to entertain and educate ages 3 on up.
The second book we read was “The Traveller, the Tiger, and the Very Clever Jackal.” Again, the colors of the illustration are bold and saturated. This story follows a dreamer in his journey where he sets a Tiger free and the adventure and lessons he learns in trying to convince the Tiger not to eat him. I loved the twist at the end. My children loved the story and were pleading with the Banyan Tree and Road to see it from the dreamer’s perspective. It was truly delightful to see my children so engaged and interactive with the story.
The two books we read, plus Patnaxi’s Crezy Long Journey Home” about the first grain of [talking] rice imported to the New World who takes off on a high seas adventure, and the other, “The Unfortunate Tale of Kachuva the Tortoise,” is about a talkative tortoise who gets bullied and “Tales of India” all debut on November 15th worldwide through online booksellers Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Borders.com and Goodreads.com, and through domestic and international bookstores covering the US, Canada, France, India, and soon the UK. Books, merchandise, and more fun can also be found through Hathi Chiti directly at HathiChiti.com. Books and characters are also available with T-shirts to match
Hathi Chiti is the Indian words for elephant and ant. The elephant, Hathi, and the ant, Chiti, come from Indian folklore where their adventures together as “best buds” are of legendary proportion, as told by company co-founders Reshma Sapre (40) and Jayme Robinson (35). Hathi and Chiti now serve as hosts to inquiring little minds and come with an entourage of globally conscious animal friends.
Hathi and Chiti provide tips on how you too can have a “best bud” friendship like theirs:
Tip 1: Goofy lasts longer than serious, just ask the dog!
Just like Mickey Mouse’s best bud Goofy, be laid back. There’s no point in being super serious all of the time when life is serious enough. Remember to find the fun in every situation. If you look hard enough, it’s always in there.
Tip 2: If friendships grew on trees, they would be biodegradable.
Don’t throw your friend away! Have you ever lost a friend that you thought would be there for life? We all have, that’s why it’s important to never throw the good ones away. They don’t come along often.
Tip 3: If you have a best friend, remember that they are the ‘best’ for a reason.
Always stick with your best friends. Remember why you think they are the best and cherish them always!
Tip 4: Talking is nice, but listening is an art form.
Blah, blah, blah…everyone likes to hear themselves talk but to be a true friend, you have to learn how to zip it’ and listen to your friend. They matter just as much as you do.
Tip 5: Never argue with the data!
If the friendship works, don’t go looking for problems. It’s easy to find things you don’t like about someone. But if you have a true friend, stay positive, and look at the good parts. They will often outweigh the bad.
Tip 6: Your differences make you connect; your similarities make you last.
Even if you think you are total opposites, you and your friend will always have a few things in common. These are the things that keep you connected and tuned into the same channel.
Tip 7: Being wrong can be oh so right.
Being able to admit that you are wrong is a powerful place to be. You can learn so much from mistakes and your friends can help you see things differently if you are willing to admit that maybe they are right.
Tip 8: It is OK to yell as long as you are smiling when you do it.
We all get angry, but all it takes is a simple smile to change how you are feeling inside. Try to always smile when you’re talking to your friend. It’s hard, but if you just try it gets easier.
Tip 9: Compromise wins the prize.
If you have a good friend, then you’ve already won! See things the way they see them and they will do the same. Having someone on your side is the best victory you will ever have.
Tip 10: Every problem can be solved over a good meal.
Stay nourished and hydrated! Host a tea party, or share a slice of pie. Remember that meals are sacred and should be shared with your friend. Whenever you can, truly nourish your friendsships and build your bond.
Have a great “best bud” story? Share it on the Hathi Chiti Facebook page, where Hathi and Chiti will send their top ten favorites a copy of their new books at no charge and a T-shirt of their choosing!
These are beautiful books, that teach valuable lessons in a manner that will have children engaged in the story and living the lesson.
*I received Hati Chiti’s books in order to facilitate an honest review. The opinions, where expressed, are my own and were in no way influenced by the sponsor. Other experiences may vary.