<b>READ:</b> Not just for the young ones

From children’s rhymes to autobiographies, SU AZIZ takes us on a journey of interesting books which we may need, at different points of our lives. EVERY TIME there is a danger of an avalanche of books from my table, I tend to duck or run. This time, I took a deep breath, rolled up my sleeves and dived right into it. Pulling out a bundle that are featured below which should be available in major bookstores near you, these are some that might just be of interest to some and amusing for others. One thing's for sure, there will be something for each member of a family!

Little Einsteins Learning & Activity Series
By Playhouse Disney

1 Based on their namesake, the kids starring in these series of books are smart and gung-ho about sharing their knowledge on what makes the earth turns, nature, science, numbers and the like. The books are thin enough to pack up and bring along anywhere you need to go with your toddler.

All of these books, for example in “Colours & Shapes”, stickers are provided to help make the learning process less tedious. Just don't forget to grab along a pack of colouring pencils or crayons in the process! There are also Little Einsteins educational story books which are thin, colourful and with very little text. Great for quick bedtime reads.

Dora The Explorer Activity Series
Based on Nick Jr. television series

2 These books come in both English and Bahasa Malaysia. Apparently, young Dora has little adventures which are safe, fun and educational all at the same time. I sometimes wonder why I never had those sort of adventures when I was a kid. Sigh. Nevertheless, in the many books of Dora that consists of either stories, activities or games, the one that caught my eye was the “Easy Sudoku”. Now, that out to quieten the kids a little!

Rhymes for Children
By Adibah Amin

3 Yes, Adibah Amin's name is a household one synonymous with quality. This time around, I'll let her words make up this review:

“I don’t want my tail, Mummy,

I don’t want my fur,

See that cute little girl, Mummy,

I want to be like her!

“Be bright and happy like her, dear,

At work and at play,

But be proud you are a monkey, dear, You're cute in your own way.”

I think you got the picture, no? Well, the book's full of rhymes like that. A touch of humour sprinkled with subtle irony and simple wisdom. A bit like Miss Amin herself, perhaps?

For the young adults:

Various titles
By various authors/illustrators

4 An explosion of illustrated storybooks for young adults have filled bookstore shelves. The question is, are these books with less well articulated words but with intricate visuals the result of the fast-paced, almost impatient, MTV generation? These books project what is seem to be real life these days, Western, fast and somewhat angsty but there are positive sides too.

For instance, in a new title, Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Sonny Liew and Marc Hempel, the teenage character learns that "in love and gift-giving, what goes round comes around" while handling life's struggles. Or in Cecil Castellucci's and Jim Rugg's The Plain Janes, where a group of teenaged misfits found a niche where they can stand out — art.

Whereas in Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard, this teenager was caught with a fake I.D. in a nightclub and she has to bear the consequences by being exiled to the country filled with activities such as a cake decorating contest. Then she learns that even in the country there is excitement enough — she might just end up solving a murder mystery. Or wouldn't she?

Hang on to the edge of your seats, read and enjoy the illustrations of confusion, uncertain future and guilty secrets in two other titles such as Good As Lily by Derek Kim and Jesse Hamm and also Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike and Louise Carey.

For the young at heart:

Creating a World Without Poverty
By Muhammad Yunus

5 A Bangladeshi banker and economist, Muhammad Yunus is also a founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. A bank that encourages community development and microfinance organization, both he and his bank were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. This was for their “efforts to create economic and social development from below”.

This new book of his, Creating a World Without Poverty tells of how he along with multi national coorperations like Danone produce cheap but nutritional products for undernourished Bangladeshi kids and with some others, created a hospital that saves lives of the poor. As the book cover says, “a more humane form of capitalism”. It sure sounds like it!

Her Voice
By Vasanthi Ramachandran

6 Often it has been said that if women were left to rule the world there would be less chaos. As a citizen of this world, I agree. As a woman, I know it. Allow me to let you in on a secret: being a woman in today's modern world is far from easy. It gets rather confusing. Balancing our new roles as breadwinner with our more traditional role as homemaker can be somewhat schizophrenic.

That is why we do need all the help we can to remind us of our worth and shed light on our paths. Plus offer solidarity that could make sense of our multi tasking role that Microsoft's Windows Vista operation system could be envious of! Also, words of encouragement and support help as well. Such is this book chronicling the life and works of Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil during her reign as the minister of Women, Family and Community Development.

Other titles to watch out for:

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, A New Breeze in Politics
By Paridah Abd. Samad

7 A New Breeze in Politics has been said to be a political analysis or in other words, his personal and political achievements.

An interesting read of this man that has succeeded Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, which as we know, is a hard act to follow. Paridah has previously authored political analysis of Indonesia's peculiar but much admired leader, Gus Dur and a political biography of Tun Abdul Razak, A Phenomenon in Malaysian Politics.

For a read in the park:

Various titles
by various authors

8 Consider Bernice Chauly's The Book of Sins consisting of 73 pages of poetry and prose. Or Pengembara travel tales titled, Wanderer in Malaysian Borneo. Then grab a dash of hope and motivation through Lee Elaine, our very own teenage author, with her latest book Sunshine in our Lives. It has practical guidelines "which prove helpful to teachers and parents" in coping with their teenagers. Go on, give it a try, as it's written from a 17-year old's perspective!

READ: Not just for the young ones