Book Picks

Adult Book:

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China -by Jung Chang 
1991

This is a fascinating and true story of three generations of women who survived the tumultuous period in Chinese history between 1909 and 1978. Chang's grandmother is born during the last years of the Manchu Empire. She endures the constant pain of bound feet and at age fourteen becomes the concubine of a warlord general. Chang's mother comes of age during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and endures famine and hardship during the Great Leap Forward. Chang is a product of the Cultural Revolution and is sent to work in a commune as a peasant before she leaves China for Britain in 1978.

This is a remarkable book which vividly portrays the impact of Chinese culture, history and politics on the lives of ordinary human beings.

Children's Book:

The Jungle Book  -by Rudyard Kipling 
1894

Far too many children are missing out on this book. This is a shame because the Disney movie simply doesn't do "The Jungle Book" justice. The story of Mowgli is only one of many marvellous tales in this book which skilfully recreates the sights and sounds of the Indian jungle. Kipling is a terrific storyteller and his words have the rhythm of poetry.

Let your children become acquainted with Rikki-Tikki-Tavi or Toomai of the Elephants! They will never forget the Law of the Jungle.