The Rabbit in the Moon by Meena Arora Nayak (Book Review: 3.25*/5) !!!

2155th BLOG POST

22nd Book of 2025

Some books do not rush to impress; they sit quietly beside you, like a wise elder, waiting for the reader to slow down. The Rabbit in the Moon by Meena Arora Nayak is one such book. Rooted in the timeless wisdom of the Panchatantra, it brings back stories many of us may have heard in fragments during childhood, yet presents them with a freshness that feels both comforting and relevant.

 

The book retells two powerful tales: The Tale of How the Bedbug’s Selfishness Cost the Louse Her Life and The Tale of How the Rabbit in the Moon Saved His Relatives. Though simple on the surface, both stories gently unfold deeper truths about life, choices, and consequences. The author’s language is lucid and unpretentious, allowing the moral to emerge naturally rather than being forcefully stated. This makes the reading experience meditative rather than instructional.

 

What stands out is how effortlessly these ancient stories mirror modern realities. The tale of the bedbug and the louse is a quiet reminder of how reckless behavior, impatience, and selfish ambition can destroy not only the wrongdoer but also the innocent. It speaks subtly about the dangers of bad company and poor judgment—lessons that remain painfully relevant in today’s fast-paced, outcome-obsessed world.

 

On the other hand, the story of the rabbit offers a soothing counterbalance. It celebrates intelligence, calm thinking, and moral courage over brute strength. The rabbit’s wisdom becomes a metaphor for leadership rooted in compassion and clarity, reminding readers that true power lies in presence of mind rather than physical dominance.

 

Meena Arora Nayak deserves appreciation for preserving the soul of the Panchatantra while making it accessible to young readers and equally meaningful for adults. The Rabbit in the Moon is not merely a children’s book; it is a gentle pause, a reflective read that invites us to look inward.

 

In a world that constantly urges us to run faster, this book softly asks us to think wiser—and that, perhaps, is its greatest strength. The biggest drawback of the book is its cost- Rs. 250 which I believe is quite much considering it has just two short stories for little Kids. Publishers must think something about this. Overall, I give this book 3.25* out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

The Platoon Under the Moon by Delshad Karanjia (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

2154th BLOG POST

21st Book of 2025

Another book by Delshad Karanjia was finished within half an hour, with a smile on my face. Another set of six tales based on the character of Mullah Nasruddin felt like reading funny WhatsApp messages shared by a friend. There are many books written for children with the intention of teaching values or lessons, but Delshad’s attempt here highlights why it is equally important to tell stories to children purely for fun, without attaching any strong educational agenda to them.

 

Of course, the narration, story structure, and language still help students learn the art of storytelling, writing, and visualization. However, the author’s primary intention—to simply make children laugh through these stories—is what makes this book special. In this collection, Mullah Nasruddin’s six tales are crafted in a way that showcases how cleverly he outwits both the good and the bad people in society.

 

Through two of the stories, we see how he troubles his teacher and a shopkeeper, while another story humorously conveys how he makes the host of a party realize that people should be valued more than their rich attire. The story that shares the book’s title is another amusing take, highlighting how Mullah sometimes chooses not to use his brain at all.

 

The illustrations are well done and can also encourage children to draw and add their own colours. These are stories that children will not only enjoy reading but will also eagerly share with their friends, spreading laughter all around. I give this book 4.25 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Birbal and the Cannibals by Delshad Karanjia (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

 2153rd BLOG POST

20th Book of 2025

2025 has been a year of nostalgia and revisiting my childhood. I find myself picking up children’s books and, before gifting them to their future owners, ending up reading them myself. This time, I read “Birbal & the Cannibals,” which consists of four tales of Akbar and Birbal, beautifully rewritten and narrated by Delshad Karanjia. I am truly in awe of both the author and Aleph Publications for bringing these timeless stories back for the new generation.

 

All four stories in this book primarily highlight Birbal’s intellect and wit in an optimistic manner, making it an engaging read as one sees how he proves himself time and again. In one story, Akbar becomes furious after getting injured during a hunting expedition. However, the very same incident later saves him, and Birbal’s clever explanation of how these events ultimately helped both of them makes Akbar bow to him once again in respect.

 

In another story, the jealousy of the court members towards Akbar’s favoritism of Birbal is portrayed well. This leads to a situation where they are challenged to identify the real mother tongue of a man who can fluently speak multiple languages. When no one is able to determine his native language, Birbal comes up with a completely unique method to reveal the truth, once again proving in front of everyone why he is unmatched.

 

Similarly, one of the stories depicts how Birbal breaks a friendship to ensure that both the parents of the children involved are happy, so that the children can focus on their careers. This episode clearly reflects his sharp-mindedness and practical wisdom. The final story revolves around a painting competition between Birbal and Akbar’s brother-in-law, based on the theme of peace. Birbal’s artwork appears to be completely opposite to the theme at first glance, but the way he explains his perspective highlights the philosophical depth of his thinking. This story also helps children understand the deeper meaning behind art and creativity.

 

Overall, this book stands out as one of the best children’s books published by Aleph in recent times. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE

Thanks!

WRITING BUDDHA