Umachi launches Picture eBooks for kids on Infibeam

Parents looking for attractive picture eBooks based on Indian mythology or a gripping adventure book for their elementary school kid will find Umachi Books refreshing. (Image from the facebook fan page below)

The Umachi picture book stories are about 24 pages which will just about hold a kid's attention. Currently there are 15 titles with stories that would make a good bed-time reading for parents with children.

The eBooks are available as PDF on Infibeam's website. Infibeam is the largest online book retailer in India. You may purchase the Kindle or iPad versions from Amazon or the iTunes store. Infibeam will carry the paperback versions as well in the near future.

Umachi Books is a brand of contemporary picture and chapter books for kids. The picture books focus on interesting stories from Indian mythology, supplemented by eye-catching images. These are meant to be for children between the ages of 3 and 7.

Got Umachi? Get your Umachi book today at Infibeam!

Children's adventure book with a twist

Umachi releases its first adventure/mystery fiction book, "Super SAVERs to the Rescue", for kids between the ages 7-12. Here is the link http://www.amazon.com/SAVERs-Rescue-Umachi-Adventures-ebook/dp/B008ZVRFUY/

This is a story of five kids from a multicultural background, who call themselves the Super SAVERs. The kids receive a mysterious email followed by clues which lead them to India. The events of the story build up suspense and finally the kids manage to save the Bengal Tiger from getting extinct.

The story is unique because apart from being entertaining, it makes kids aware of the current affairs in the world. This first book talks about endangered species and the Bengal Tiger. The book also talks about interesting things like Chess, Scrabble etc. Kids are exposed to the culture of different parts of the world. The first book talks about India. The other books in the series will be based on different countries.

Happy Reading!

Where there is a will, there is a way

The book talks about the story of Dhruva. Even though Dhruva was only five years old, he was determined to find God. He had no idea about meditation or penance. But he was fearless and set out anyway. Narada, the celestial sage taught him how to meditate and sent him to Madhuvana. In the end, Dhruva attained the blessing of Lord Vishnu.

Where there is a will, there is a way and God shows us that way. So true, isnt it?

Fall and Rise of a King

Vishwamitra was initially a king who finally became a Brahmarishi like Sage Vasishta by his sheer willpower. The story has a few points that we may be able to apply in our lives.

1. Irrespective of all the odds that we face, determination (along with God's grace of course) is the only thing that that will make us successful

2. When we read the stories of historical or mythological characters, it is important to focus on the takeaway message. For example- You could look at Vishwamitra's story and think this person does not seem to be able to control his senses time and again. But then again, the right way of looking at it would be, no matter how many times he failed, he rose back up each time. The resilience of Vishwamitra is the key takeaway from this story.

Beware of the company you keep

In Ramayana, Kaikeyi was known to be very affectionate with Rama initially. Manthara's evil council changed Kaikeyi's mind. Had it not been for Manthara, Kaikeyi would not have planned Rama's exile and Bharata's coronation. That is why this Umachi book from the Rama Series (Book 4) has been named "An Evil Plot". Manthara was responsible for sowing the evil thought in Kaikeyi's mind.

In Bhaja Govindam (a composition of Adi Shankara) There is a paragraph which mentions the following -

Sat Sangatve nissangatvam, Nissangatve nirmohatvam ....

It essentially means, Satsang or good company is the first step towards one's liberation.

Thoughts?

Significance of Gajendra's story

The Story of Gajendra (The king who was transformed into an elephant) has a deeper significance. In this story, Gajendra enters a lake and plays with his friends when he is trapped by a crocodile. He tries to free himself but is unsuccessful. None of his friends are able to help him. The elephant surrendered to God.  God alone was able to rescue him.

The significance in real life is - all of us (humans) are like Gajendra. The lake that he entered is like this world, where we live with other people (friends, family etc.). The grip of the crocodile symbolizes the calamities and troubles that we face.

The takeaway from this story is that - while we live in this world with our family, friends and society, when we face problems, the only one who can rescue us is God.

Mahabali

In the story of Mahabali, Even though Mahabali was a good person, he had forgotten humility when he became powerful. He underestimated the power of the little man who visited him, who was none other than Vishnu himself. We never know in what form God may appear before us and hence we should never forget to be humble.