Ruskin Bond

‘Grandfather and I saw eye to eye on the matter of pets, and whenever Grandmother decided it was time to get rid of a tame white rat or a squirrel, I would conceal them in a hole in the jackfruit tree.'Instead of having brothers and sisters to grow up with in India, young Ruskin had several odd companions, including a monkey, a tortoise, a python and a Great Indian Hornbill. His grandfather was responsible for all this wildlife, and their home in Dehra became a centre of action and laughter as a variety of creatures were brought home-the furry, feathered, fierce and friendly-all under one roof.

'Sometimes, when the old tiger was very lonely, he gave a great roar, which could be heard throughout the forest. The villagers thought he was roaring in anger, but the jungle knew that he was really roaring out of loneliness. When the sound of his roar had died away, he paused, standing still, waiting for an answering roar; but it never came.' No matter how old we get or how busy our lives become, there is something about stories involving animals that tug at our hearts. In the fast-paced world of today, stories about forest animals-involving folly, adventure, joy and laughter-give us a respite from the boredom of everyday life. In My Friends from the Forest, Ruskin Bond transports us to the vibrant world of panthers, leopards, snakes, elephants and many more lovely animals. Bond's enchanting prose, along with his elegant storytelling, makes us dream of a world where we live in harmony with our friends from the forest. The stories in this collection are sure to take you on a joyful and adventurous journey through the forests of India.

'I became one of the tiger's favourites. With a crafty look in his glittering eyes, and his body crouching, he would creep closer and closer to me, suddenly making a dash for my feet, rolling over on his back and kicking with delight, and pretending to bite my ankles.' Will Timothy the Tiger Cub always get along with people? Does Ranji win the match with his 'lucky bat'? Will Inspector Keemat Lal crack the case of the Rani's mysterious murder? Can a djinn and a human be best friends? Will Koki be allowed on the cricket team despite being a girl? Find out in this heart-warming collection of Ruskin Bond's best children's stories. Filled with mischievous pets, eccentric friends, kind townsfolk and fun journeys, this book brings to you a variety of stories to give you a peek into carefree childhood days, filled with laughter and excitement.

'I believe that the journey is more important than the destination. But, then, I have never really had a destination. The glory that comes from conquering the Himalayan peaks is not for me. My greatest pleasure lies in taking a path-any old path will do-and following it until it leads me to a forest glade or village or stream or windy hilltop.' Is there a feeling better than being on the road, with the wind whipping through your hair? It is perhaps only matched by the anticipation of roaming around a town you have never visited before- meeting interesting people and wandering around unexplored mohallas. In Old Roads, New Roads, Ruskin Bond brings together some of his best travel writing, chronicling tales of his many journeys to and from the hills, across towns big and small, meeting wise and amusing people. This book promises to remind you of the joys of stepping out into the great outdoors, exploring old roads and new ones.

Meet Paati, Thatha, Dida, Nani, Dadi, Dadu and so many more grandparentsof all kinds in this charming collection of stories by some of India's bestchildren's writers. What is a child to do if Nani decides to audition for a danceshow? Or if Paati suddenly appears as an apparition with magenta-colouredhair? What is it like when Thatha becomes a detective and goes crime busting, or when Dadu decides to deal with an unhappy ghost in the neighbourhood?Ruskin Bond gives a glimpse of his Granny as a young girl. Bulbul Sharmarecounts an exciting and unusual train journey with her beloved Dida. AshokBanker and Jerry Pinto write sensitively about dealing with the loss of agrandparent, while Bijal Vachharajani's grandma would know just what to dowith all those single-use plastic bags everywhere.A collection to be read alone or with a grandparent, Dance, Nani, Dance bringsto life the unique and beautiful bond children share with grandparents. Itwill make readers laugh, or wipe a tear, or inspire them to cuddle Nani somemore

'I preferred the solitude of the small district town to the kind of social life I might have found in the cities; and in my books, my writing and the surrounding hills, there was enough for my pleasure and occupation.' There is something incredibly charming and wonderful about Ruskin Bond's portrayal of small-town life. It is a portal into a world of eccentric, odd but, above all else, kind-hearted and warm people who live alongside the natural and historical beauty found in these towns. In My Time in the Town, Bond brings together a collection of his best writing on small-town India, in all its nuanced yet simple and unhurried glory. With these stories, Bond shows us the irresistible warmth and appeal of small-town life while also exposing the often dark, superstitious, ghostly or even just politically corrupt aspects of it. This book promises to be a journey into the soulful and laid-back simplicity of small towns