Dance Nani, Dance

MY THOUGHTS

Dance, Nani, Dance is magical. It will instantly transport you to your grandparents’ place, back to a time filled with tasty treats and happy memories – almost like a transportive, snug hug. 16 stories by some of India’s most loved children’s writers have the power to make you miss your grandparents and immediately wish you could pick up the phone and chat with them. 

It is so tough to pick your favourite from this excellent lineup! The book opens with Bijal Vachharajani’s story about a hoarding grandmother. We are privy to an occurrence that has become all too common these days, that of grandparents taking an international flight. This hilarious story will also draw your attention to the immense challenges our grandparents face when they travel. Menaka Raman’s story was another one that cracked me up! Imagine mourning the death of your Paati only to have her come back to visit you so she can walk a mile in your footsteps as a Gen Zer! The beauty of the book is that each author brings a different flavour to their story and style. Ruskin Bond tells a beautifully evocative story about a photograph of his grandmother and the memories that surround it. Swapna Dutta about the tiger cub her grandfather brought home, and how the tiger remembered him years later when he went to visit. Varsha Seshan takes us all back to our childhood when Paati’s Diwali treats were what defined the festival. Harshikaa Udasi tells us a heartwrenching story about love and loss during the partition. Nandita DaCunha’s story of a grandfather getting a new outlook on post-retirement life hit very close to home for me. Jerry Pinto and Ashok Banker draw our attention to the mortality of our grandparents and to dealing with life after they pass away. The title of the book comes fromDeepa Agarwal’s story of a Nani who wants to enter a dance competition. Stories of sleuthing grandparents, strict but loving grandparents, and absolutely indulgent grandparents complete this excellent selection. 

This book is perfect for children 10+ to read independently or for younger children if you read a story aloud to them over bedtime. Definitely get this one on your bookshelf, and trust me, you will find yourself reading it every time you need a hug like the one only grandparents can give.