Rooster Raga
Author: 
Natasha Sharma
Illustrator: 
Priya Kuriyan
age group: 
3+ yrs
Number of pages: 
28
Publisher: 
Tulika
Themes:
song self esteem roosters animals sounds
Genre:
picture book, fiction
 

 

A visual treat with its brilliant colours, great layout and minimal text! This book is sure to delight and entertain children everywhere.

Rooster Ruru has a dilemma. Whenever he sings, instead of the traditional rooster song , Kukaroo Kuroo, what emerges from his throat is a wide range of sounds, anything and everything but what he was supposed to say.

Wanting to conform and do what other roosters do, he sets off to take lessons from a cow, a donkey, a pig, a cat, a goat and a duck. But in the process he picks up a whole new range of sounds.

Sad and dejected he goes back to the coop only to realize that what he had thought was his weakness was indeed his strength.

On the surface, the story is bright, effervescent and fun, but deep down it conveys an all-important message to children - It is alright to be different. Everyone has his or her own special talent and own special challenges. It is neccessary to understand and appreciate them and ford our own individual paths with confidence.
 

Reviewed by Shamim Padamsee