Latest news with #MonkeyPuzzle
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Colourful Monkey Puzzle butterfly spotted in MP's Pench Tiger Reserve
BHOPAL: In a heartening discovery, a vibrant Monkey Puzzle butterfly has been spotted in the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) of south-eastern Madhya Pradesh, famously known as the 'Land of Jungle Book's Mowgli.' Forest guards in PTR, have now taken up photography as part of a unique conservation effort. With their mobile phones, they have helped identify nearly 100 species of butterflies and 44 species of wild mushrooms, many of which are mostly of European origin. These discoveries were made across the 1,179 sq km reserve, particularly in its 411 sq km core area. Among the butterflies, the Monkey Puzzle 'Rathinda' was captured on camera—believed to be the first time it has been spotted in the forests of Central India. 'Each forest guard and associated watchers/chowkidars work in an average area of 5-7 square km and serve as the backbone of conservation efforts, by working tirelessly on the frontlines to protect forests and wildlife. Over the years, the round-the-clock patrolling duties to track the movement of carnivores, like tigers and leopards and preventing any possible animal poaching and tree felling in the dense forests make them feel aloof and often leaves them fatigued. The entire idea of training them in clicking perfect pictures of insects and butterflies was aimed to enrich their work, decrease monotony by incentives like photography competitions and ultimately improve their precise vision and reflexes,' said PTR's deputy director Rajnish Singh. He added, 'While large number of forest guards were engaged in the unique exercise for the last many months, over 30 of them, aided by watchers and chowkidars, have really done good. One of them Milind Gedam helped us spot the butterfly Monkey Puzzle, perhaps the first time ever in the Central Indian jungles. We've so far identified 100 butterfly species, which are being compiled in a booklet titled 'Butterflies and Tiger: Photographs by the Brave Forest Guards of Pench,' to be released on July 29 (International Tiger Day).'
The Guardian
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘We think Princess Pearl is a feminist icon': readers' favourite Julia Donaldson books
Last week, Stuart Heritage ranked his 15 favourite books by Julia Donaldson, and readers have responded with their own opinions, along with memories of reading her beloved stories to their children. Here are some of the most popular picks from the Gruffalo author's gigantic oeuvre. Monkey Puzzle is my three-year-old daughter's favourite book. She's bilingual, and – for this book specifically – she always wants me to read it in Arabic. So it's 'La, la, la!' instead of 'No, no, no!', otherwise she doesn't like it (and she lets me know about it). Her Arabic is much better because of this book, at least when it comes to animal-related vocabulary. We went to a zoo the other day, and she referred to the elephant's trunk in perfect (Sudanese) Arabic – a proud parenting moment for me. Affa, Glasgow My son is multisensory-impaired, he has nystagmus and unilateral hearing loss, and has always loved stories as somewhere that he can completely immerse himself. Julia Donaldson's have always appealed and, though it's difficult to know how much of the detail in the illustrations he can see, he loves to point out the characters or items of interest. Monkey Puzzle is often revisited, and if there's a part that I misread then it will be corrected. He particularly loves naming all of the animals after I have read the 'No, no, no!' part and we will often repeat these to each other in the day and laugh. I know that this is something that will always bring a smile to his face. William, East Sussex Fifteen years later I can recite The Gruffalo word for word. My son insisted on me reading it to him at bedtime every night for the best part of a year! If I ever go on Mastermind it would be my specialist subject! UncleKarlM My daughters are now 14, 17, and 20. Julia and Axel [Scheffler]'s books are as indelibly imprinted in my memory as the Ladybird books I read as a nipper in the 70s. When the animated version of The Gruffalo was broadcast for the first time I sat us all down excitedly to watch (they were still of an age where they would mostly listen to anything I had to say) – within seconds I was in bits. All those years of reading it to them, but it was like someone was reading it to me. Very embarrassing. stripsidebob My children used to give me belly laughs all the time. One of my favourites was when my son was four and I was reading The Gruffalo to him and his older cousin who was visiting. I got to the bit just before the real Gruffalo appears and he stopped me and said earnestly to his cousin: 'There's a Gruffalo along in a minute.' Like most things that cause a complete collapse this probably doesn't sound funny to other people but I was laughing so much I couldn't speak for five minutes. WithoutPurpose I think The Paper Dolls is an amazing book; definitely my No 1. It touches on so many themes: imagination, loss, memories, cruelty, play and the way traditions are passed down through generations. Such a talented combination of author and illustrator to cover all of that in a relatively low number of words and a few pages. Most importantly, it's still simple and entertaining enough for little ones to understand and enjoy. Both my kids are too old for it now, but I've kept a copy, and hope to be able to read it to grandkids one day. ProfyleNeim Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion Paper Dolls never fails to move me to tears, absolute heartbreaker. Like a flash-forward to the kids leaving home. Had to stop reading it coz they kept asking me if I was all right. JosephFrady My son absolutely loves this book. When he watches the animation he just laughs and laughs. We listen to the soundtrack in the car, too, and he greets people saying: 'Stand and deliver!' which is both hilarious and mortifying. Susannah Mohammed Our two-year-old, Phoebe, loves all of the Julia Donaldson books but her favourite is Zog. From a very young age she loved the illustrations of the brightly coloured dragons and all of Zog's mishaps. We think Princess Pearl is a feminist icon for challenging traditional stereotypes about what girls can do and she has inspired our daughter to want to be a doctor and look after people (and dragons) when she grows up. Amy Peck, Chelmsford
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
I read 500 children's books with my kids – these are 10 we keep going back to
One dad explains how he's read more than 500 children's books with his son and daughter over the years - and these are the 10 that they've enjoyed the most Reading with young children has a multitude of benefits. Experts concur that it can be instrumental in language, cognitive and emotional development, whilst also fostering imagination and creativity. Books can enhance social skills and cultural awareness, as well as honing concentration and focus. But, just as crucially, reading with kids is enjoyable. I've always made a point of reading with my eight year old son and five year old daughter at bedtime, as part of our nightly routine. Over the years, I reckon I've read at least 500 children's books. Some have lodged themselves more firmly in my memory – probably because I've had to read them over and over again. These days, my little lad is content reading chapter books by himself and his sister requires my assistance less and less. Occasionally, though, they still relish revisiting an old favourite. Via The Mirror US, here are the 10 books, suitable for children under seven, that we've enjoyed the most... 1. Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson (2000). Known as Where's My Mom? in the US The undisputed GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of authors for younger children, Julia Donaldson has gifted us classics such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Superworm. Penned in Donaldson's signature rhyming prose, the tale follows a young monkey who gets lost in the jungle. A well-meaning butterfly attempts to assist but ends up leading her to various other creatures - an elephant, snake, spider, frog and bat - due to constant misinterpretations of her descriptions. It's a joy to read, educational, concludes on a happy note and is vividly brought to life by Axel Scheffler's distinctive illustrations. I've recited it so often that I can now do so from memory. Buy Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson on Amazon. 2. Meltdown! by Jill Murphy (2016) Without exaggeration, navigating a supermarket with a toddler can feel akin to stepping into the Seventh Circle of Hell. The late, esteemed Jill Murphy, likely drawing from personal experiences, encapsulates this ordeal flawlessly in Meltdown! In the story, Ruby the rabbit joins her mum for a shopping trip. Initially, she's keen to be helpful, but in typical toddler fashion, she soon becomes overzealous, throws a monumental tantrum over a 'piggy cake', embarrasses her mum at the till, and wails all the way home before eventually saying sorry and returning to her adorable self. My children adore it because they see themselves in Ruby. I cherish it because I've been in Ruby's mum's shoes on more than one dreadful occasion. Buy Meltdown! by Jill Murphy on Amazon. 3. The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith (2009) Children's literature is often a treasure trove of life lessons, but ' The Wonky Donkey ' bucks the trend with its delightful dose of pure silliness that has captured hearts everywhere. Originally penned as a ditty by Kiwi author Craig Smith, inspired by the gag "What do you call a donkey with three legs? A wonky donkey!", this book became an overnight sensation in 2018 when a video of a Scottish granny chuckling her way through it with her grandson went viral, sending sales through the roof. A hilarious rhyming challenge, 'The Wonky Donkey' is a joy to read out loud and has found a special place on bookshelves and in the hearts of readers. Buy T he Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith from Amazon. 4. You're Called What? by Kes Gray (2018) Kes Gray, a celebrated children's author, certainly knows how to tickle the funny bones of both youngsters and grown-ups who've kept their childlike humour intact. While his famed Oi Frog! and the Oi! series are staples in my children's collection, it's another one of his works, You're Called What?, that truly takes the cake for comedy gold. Set against the backdrop of the Ministry of Silly Animal Names (a nod to Monty Python's iconic sketch), this book introduces kids to hilariously named creatures like the monkeyface prickleback and the pink fairy armadillo, while teaching them about these lesser-known species. And let's be honest, 'blue-footed booby' will always be a hoot. Buy You're Called What? by Kes Gray from Amazon. 5. The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole (1983) The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole, the vintage gem of this list, was passed down by a cousin. But it absolutely stands the test of time. The story is told by a little girl whose mum is always turning people into toads, wearing funny hats and doing other embarrassing things. The girl's friends think her mum's great, but their parents aren't quite as enamoured – until she saves the day, rushing to put out a fire at the school. Our version of the book is a 'four for the price of one' deal, with Dad, Gran and Grandad all given the same treatment. The late Babette Cole's illustrations are every bit as good as her words. Buy The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole at Amazon. 6. There's A Pig Up My Nose by John Dougherty (2017) There was a period of around a month – which felt more like a year – when my daughter asked to read There's A Pig Up My Nose every night, often more than once. To make matters even more tedious, every read came with a slew of questions, mainly about the feasibility of animals becoming stuck up children's noses. Thankfully, though, there's plenty to like about the book, which follows Natalie, who enlists the help of her schoolmates to remove the little animal. Very loud, dramatic animal noises are a mandatory requirement. 7. Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman (2015) If there's one thing guaranteed to make kids laugh, it's poop. And in Steve Smallman's book, there's lots of it – including a variety that glows green. Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman tells the story of zookeeper Bob McGrew, who adores his job except for the task of cleaning out the animals' enclosures. When an iguana produces a radioactive-looking deposit, it attracts crowds, including a poo museum owner who forever changes Bob's life. The book even includes a pictorial glossary of various animals' droppings, which I can now confidently identify unaided. Buy Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman on Amazon. 8. The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards (2013) While plot twists aren't common in children's literature, this book has one. It may not be on par with The Sixth Sense or The Usual Suspects, but it's still an unexpected ending. Even after the initial read, when children know exactly what will happen, they seem to enjoy it just as much. The narrative follows a hungry badger eyeing a sandwich dropped by a little boy in the park. The sandwich gets squashed, ridden over, and slithered on before the badger finally reaches it. Buy The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards on Amazon. 9. Alan's Big, Scary Teeth by Jarvis (2016) Jarvis skilfully narrates the tale of an alligator who loses his intimidation factor when the other animals discover he has dentures. But it's not just the author's sharp wit and understated, matter-of-fact tone that impresses – his illustrations are equally captivating. Both hilarious and heartwarming, like many other children's books, it carries a message about the significance of friendship, honesty and kindness. Buy Alan's Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis on Amazon. 10. There's A Snake in My School by David Walliams SPOILER ALERT: In this book by David Walliams, the nasty headmistress Miss Bloat is devoured by a pupil's pet snake, leading to jubilation among the schoolchildren. Given the slightly dark nature of the ending, I've unsurprisingly had to answer several questions about snakes consuming people and teachers being killed. Despite all that, though, the book is a big hit with my kids. Walliams has a talent for creating stories and using language that makes children chuckle.
