E-Paper
Veggies Go On A Beauty Parade
You could be in for some shock if you thought that only beauty queens compete for titles.
Veggies Go On A Beauty Parade
Chetna Keer Banerjee
Rupa & Co
2005
General
Pages: 24
Price: Rs 50
ISBN: 812910671x
Paperback
From The Book:
Hariyali shone in the brilliance of the moonlit night. All the beauties came walking through the vegetable beds that had been specially done up for the event. Turn by turn, they curtsied before the judges-the Horticulturist, The Head Gardner and the Housewife. Carrie, the carrot, showed off her rosy complexion. Molly, the radish, proudly patted her cheeks... the merry parade went on.
About The Book:
Ever heard of fashionable vegetables? Unbelievable, isn't it?
You could be in for a shock if you thought that only beauty queens compete for titles, for this book introduces the ramp-walking vegetable beauties and hunks. Yes, we are talking about the rotund gourds, plump cabbages and fleshy brinjals, competing for the tittle of the 'most beautiful vegetable'.
Veggies Go On A Beauty Parade is Rupa's latest offering for kids, which brings the forever-confined-to-the-kitchen vegetables into the glamorous world of fashion. The books bustles with the residents(vegetables) of a small kitchen garden called Hariyali, who are busy preparing for a beauty parade.
The book opens with Liddy, the ladyfinger talking to Leafy, the cabbage, about the contest. Four other characters (veggies) are introduced in the same page and very quickly, the book brings up the setting of the competition. The vegetables are busy preening and admiring themselves but are also secretly feeling jealous of other participants who, they think, are looking better than them (so very like humans). Liddy is upset because Bingy, the Brinjal, wears a crown and has glistening skin while Bingy is jealous of Liddy's trim figure.
So, everybody is preparing for the pageant and busy applying make-up, even as Teekhi, the chili (villain of the scene) pokes fun at each of these 'contestants'. Then, the gong goes off. Everybody gathers in the common place. The beauty parade starts.
As the dressed-up vegetables strut up and down, the judges have a tough time picking a winner. Suddenly, a beautiful vegetable walks in before the results can be announced. Nobody recognises her but she seems to combine the finest features of all the vegetables. Who is she? Why is she spoiling the fun at beauty show? And who will win the crown? Read the book for answers.
The book is a quick read. Banerjee weaves a modern scientific concept in a simple tale, which will be an important lesson for the kids. The book also has lovely illustrations. The vegetables have wonderfully twee expressions on their faces. The caricatures (vegetables) show-off corruscating crowns, fashionable footwear and beautiful bangles. It is sure to give wings to a kid's imagination and could also inspire many to take up drawing.
