Anni's India Diary

Anni's India Diary

Ten-year-old Anni takes readers along on her family's trip to India in this fascinating "diary." Young readers learn many interesting facts about India, from the Taj Mahal to rickshaws to Indian cuisine. From School Library Journal Grade 3-5-- As she and her parents travel counterclockwise around India for three-and-one half months, ten-year-old Anni records her experiences and impressions, thereby giving readers a smattering of information on food, wedding customs, schooling, religion, animals, and scenery. The busy, relentlessly cheerful, line-and-watercolor illustrations are turned into collages with the addition of such items as postage stamps, photographs, advertisements, railway tickets, and trademarks. The whole is similar to Pat Brisson's Your Best Friend, Kate (Bradbury, 1989), but not so effectively done. Why have Anni and her family come here--simply for a long vacation? No clear picture of the country and its regional differences emerges. Youngsters unfamiliar with India may feel overwhelmed with the hodgepodge of information, which is occasionally misleading and even inaccurate. Puja means worship and is not the blessing and ``blob of red powder'' put on an Indian woman's forehead. Use this fictionalized picture book only to supplement nonfiction titles. --Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Lib . , VACopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. About the Author Anni Axworthy studied graphic design but quickly fled the world of milk carton packaging to enter the children's book scene. She's happiest illustrating books about animals, children and monsters. Anni lives in France.