'Writing for me is the simplest and greatest pleasure in the world.'
How to be a Writer is peppered with nuggets of practical advice for every person who is aspiring to write and be published, all told in Ruskin Bond's characteristic understated, tongue-in-cheek, humorous style.So, what is it that a person requires the most to become a writer? A love of books, of language, of life, an observant eye and a good memory along with enthusiasm, optimism and persistence.This book is an exclusive glimpse into the writing credo of Ruskin Bond, an author who has had an incredibly successful writing career spanning over seventy years.
What do you do when there's an earthquake?' asks Rakesh. Everyone in the Burman household has their own ideas, but when the tremors begin and things start to quake and crumble, they are all taken by surprise. Amidst the destruction, Rakesh's family stays strong. But will they survive the onslaught of yet another earthquake?
Rakesh plants a cherry seedling in his garden and watches it grow. As seasons go by, the small tree survives heavy monsoon showers, a hungry goat that eats most of the leaves and a grass cutter who splits it into two with one sweep. At last, on his ninth birthday, Rakesh is rewarded with a miraculous sight-the first pink blossoms of his precious cherry tree!
Ranji's team finds an unexpected opponent a nosy crocodile when they play a cricket match against the village boys. Annoyed at the swarms of boys crowding the riverbank and the alarming cricket balls plopping around his place of rest, Nakoo the crocodile decides to take his revenge.
'Who . . . whoo . . . whooo, cried the wind as it swept down from the Himalayan snows.'
The wild wind pushes open windows, chokes chimneys and blows away clothes as it huffs and puffs over the village by Haunted Hill, where Usha, Suresh and Binya live. It's even more mighty the day Usha is on her way back from the bazaar. A deep rumble echoes down the slope and a sudden flash of lightning lights up the valley as fat drops come raining down.
In search of shelter, Usha rushes into the ruins on Haunted Hill, grim and creepy against the dark sky. Inside, the tin roof groans, strange shadows are thrown against the walls and little Usha shivers with fear. For she isn't alone.
A gritty, hair-raising story about friendship, courage and survival, this stunning edition will introduce another lot of young readers to the magic of Ruskin Bond's craft.
Little Jai with his dog Motu, guards his grandfather's flock in the Tung meadows, high up on the Himalayan range, but on the prowl is a mighty golden eagle, with its powerful beak and talons, ready to prey on the lambs. Things take a turn for the worse when Motu is injured by the fierce bird. Will Jai be able to protect his lambs from the menacing eyes of the eagle? This beautifully illustrated edition brings alive the magical charm of one of Ruskin Bond's most unforgettable tales.
Mani's Granny is seventy and can barely see through her old, scratched glasses. With only a hundred and fifty rupees in their pockets and a thirst for adventure, Mani and Granny set off to buy a new pair. On the way, they get drenched in the rain, run into mules and encounter a terrible landslide. Will Granny ever be able to reach the town and get herself a new pair of glasses?
Everything that you've always loved about Ruskin Bond is back
His mesmerizing descriptions of nature and his wonderful way with words-this is Ruskin Bond at his finest.Read on as Rusty tells the story of his grandfather's relationship with the trees around him, who's convinced that they love him back with as much tenderness as he loves them.
A tale of sweet revenge
Ruskin is keen to teach his scatterbrained uncle a lesson. After all, he put him on the wrong train! Armed with gifts from his new friend, the stationmaster-yummy rasgullas and a pair of beautiful white mice-Ruskin devises the perfect payback.
Peppered with endearing characters and brought to life by delightful artwork, this is one of Bond's most unforgettable tales.
A CLASSIC COMING-OF-AGE STORY WHICH HAS HELD GENERATIONS OF READERS SPELLBOUND
Rusty, a sixteen-year-old Anglo-Indian boy, is orphaned, and has to live with his English guardian in the claustrophobic European part in Dehra Dun. Unhappy with the strict ways of his guardian, Rusty runs away from home to live with his Indian friends. Plunging for the first time into the dream-bright world of the bazaar, Hindu festivals and other aspects of Indian life, Rusty is enchanted . . . and is lost forever to the prim proprieties of the European community.
This special edition marks the 60th anniversary of this award-winning book, written when the author was just seventeen. Poignant, heart-warming and an absolute classic, this book is forever a joy to read.
