Paati vs UNCLE
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
MY THOUGHTS
Paati vs UNCLE, by Meera Ganapathi, is a book that was popular as soon as it was released. Everyone I followed on Instagram followed author Meera Ganapathi and had read SoupGram. That should tell you how popular she is! Talking to Meera on Tell Me a Story was easy, breezy. We had a no-fuss conversation filled with fun and giggles, but in between all that, I did manage to get some pretty good insights into her latest book, Paati vs UNCLE.
I love Meera’s picture and early reader books, especially The Girl Who Could Not Stop Laughing. Paati vs UNCLE is her first chapter book for early readers, featuring a spunky Paati (modelled on the author’s own), an adorable boy who wants nothing but a boring holiday, and an assortment of characters (Mrs Masa Lapapad, Mr Pratiman, and Ganguram the parrot) that will have you rolling on the floor laughing! Eight-year-old Inju visits his Paati for the summer holidays and wants to relax and rejuvenate. But his Paati has other plans. There is a thief on the loose, and everyone in the colony is on edge. Now Paati wants to catch the thief, and to do that she has to become an UNCLE! Will Inju help her on her mission, and will he still have a boring holiday?
I loved that the book had a foot in nostalgia and another foot in modern times. Inju goes on a summer holiday a lot of us parents are familiar with — a trip to grandmother’s house. But his Paati is a lot more modern and “with it” than we think! I was also in awe of how she wove in important issues like the loneliness epidemic plaguing the elderly.
Meera writes a story that is funny as you read it, but will have you thinking about the characters long after. On Tell Me A Story, we talk about her quirky sense of humour and where she found the inspiration for her story, we talk about loneliness among the elderly and why children’s books shouldn’t shy away from telling the truth, and we end, as always, with the rapid-fire round that is sure to have you asking for more! You will also hear Meera giggling throughout the episode, which is sure to remind you of her other book, The Girl Who Could Not Stop Laughing!
This chapter book is perfect for children 7+. It has humour, mystery, adventure — everything a summer read should have! Get it now!
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
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