In this post, I'm listing a few of his books, highly recommended for the young readers. I request them to read these light stories which will help them explore, appreciate the simplicity, innocence and happiness of living in harmony with the Nature.
1. The Cherry Tree
A short story of a simple school boy living his grandfather in a small Himalayan village.
This book ranks number 1 on my Bond list. In our 10th grade English Text book, we had this short story as a chapter. I read it again and again in those days. Even today, it takes me back to my days of idyllic childhood !
2. Room on the Roof, Vagrants in the Valley
'Room on the Roof' brought Ruskin Bond his first major success and 'Vagrants in the Valley' is it's sequel.
Both the books are sheer masterpieces - how young boys think, dream and handle each other. The tenderness, the desires and insecurities felt in the adolescence are depicted in a very sweet and innocuous manner. The feelings which the growing boys find difficult to express are painted without any insensitive complexity or dumb sophistication ! A must read for the adolescents and their parents alike :)
3. The Blue Umbrella
Vishal Bhardwaj, who himself is a fan of Ruskin Bond and has a notable contribution to the children's cinema and series directed a movie based on this novel - The Blue Umbrella_(film) which bagged the National Award for best Children's film.
The book is another loveable story of a sweet girl living a tough but content life amongst the Himalayan villages. All the girls and their dads would certainly love this one :)
4. Great Stories For Children
One of the quite recent publishes, this book is a power-packed collection of Ruskin's short-stories ! While the children would discover a world perfectly suited to them via this book, the parents can find the exact bed-time stories for their children.
5. The Road to the Bazaar
Those who are children and those who once were children have some things in common - roaming with buddies after school, spending hidden pocket money on eatables, stealing fruits with friends and then running off and so on. This book is a window opened to those times. How simple and seemingly stupid things turn into most cherished memories is what this book precisely depicts !
6. The Hidden Pool
A short story of three boys who come together suddenly, become friends and part away towards their destinies. But meanwhile, they discover a pool which they treat as their private, secret treasure ! A treat when you yearn for the long-lost friends!
7. A Long Walk For Bina
I used to hear such stories from my grandparents - how they used to walk long miles a day for school, come across wild animals and have unmatched fun and adventures along the way ! Even today, in some parts of India, this Life can be found and lived. I request all the school kids, especially the city born-and-being-brought-up to read this book - it would open doors to a new world for them !
As I mentioned earlier, this list is by no means exhaustive - many such gems by Ruskin Bond lay scattered on the book shelves of innumerable stores - physical and virtual ! Pick up and cherish, as much as you can !!!
