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Top 7 Children's Stories by Ruskin Bond
Reading presents kids and adults with plenty of advantages and we’re sure you know that placing a book in your little one’s hand instead of a smartphone will do him a world of good! What matters just as much as inculcating the reading habit in your child is ensuring that he reads the right books. Your child should be reading stories which impart knowledge, preach values, improve vocabulary, and of course, keep him entertained. And we’re here to recommend just that!
Author for the Month of March - Ruskin Bond
Our ‘Author of the Month’ may not really require a detailed introduction. All of us would have come across his books or stories in our textbooks or libraries while growing up, bringing us all closer to life in the hill stations. Padma Bhushan Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent, who started spinning stories at the young age of 17.
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Born in British India to Edith Clarke and Aubrey Alexander Bond, Ruskin Bond completed his schooling from Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. While he did move to the UK for a couple of years after graduating from school, he came back to India to eventually settle down in Dehradun. A novelist, a freelance writer, an editor, and of course, a storyteller - Ruskin Bond’s books are a delight to read. If anything, the fact that this author started off early in his writing career is sure to inspire your creative little one, if he’s got the flair for and an interest in storytelling!
7 Stories by Ruskin Bond Your Child Should Read
Rustic, simple, and sweet, these stories by Ruskin Bond will keep your kid engrossed and have him learn a lot about a part of India he may have not seen. His stories also explore themes like preservation of nature and the importance of flora and fauna, which make for great lessons for kids to learn. Some of the below-mentioned stories have been published in the book Children’s Omnibus, which is a collection of Bond’s best stories. So, let’s get started then, shall we?
1. The Blue Umbrella
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The story is about a young girl called Binya who lives with her mother and older brother Bijju in a small village in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. One day, Binya comes across a group of tourists in the valley, and their pretty, frilly, blue umbrella immediately catches her fancy. Charmed by her innocence, the tourists barter their umbrella in exchange for Binya’s leopard-claw pendant. Binya’s umbrella soon becomes the talk of the town, for she’s so enamoured by its beauty that she rarely closes or parts with it. However, it also becomes an obsession for a local shopkeeper, Ram Bharosa, who wants to possess the umbrella at any cost. The story follows what happens when Ram Bharosa’s employee decides to steal the umbrella for his master, and how Binya reacts to the whole situation.
Why Your Child Should Read This Story
It depicts beautifully the negative effects of boastfulness and envy, neither of which are good traits for kids to develop.
It also shows how sharing, caring, and compassion can make a difference, and make someone truly stand out from a crowd.
2. The Cherry Tree
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The short and sweet story of The Cherry Tree revolves around a young boy called Rakesh, who lives with his grandfather on the outskirts of Mussoorie. He plants a cherry seed one day, then forgets all about it, only to see that months later, the seed is well on its way to becoming a cherry tree, albeit very slowly. Rakesh tenderly takes care of the little plant, trying to protect it from various obstacles, documenting its growth over the years. It grows to become a majestic sight and Rakesh is amazed to see how such a creation came forth from a tiny little seed, leading to his question - “Is this what it feels to be God?”
Why Your Child Should Read This Story
It can inculcate a love for nature in your child, as the story describes the various seasons, the changes the tree goes through, and other elements of nature that will keep him interested.
The story will also teach your child the importance of doing something by himself, giving importance to hard work over shortcuts. It will help him value his work all the more, realising that the results are more special when he takes the required effort.
3. Ghost Trouble
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This isn’t a horror story that will spook your little one! If anything, it’s going to entertain him with the fun antics of the mischievous ghost, Pret, who lives in a peepal tree. Generally harmless, Pret takes pleasure in silly tricks like throwing seeds at passers-by. But when the peepal tree gets cut down for commercialisation purposes, Pret seeks refuge in a nearby home, where he forges a friendly bond with the young boy of the house. The rest of the story explores everything that happens once Pret moves in, and how the family handles it.
Why Your Child Should Read This Story
This story will have your child’s imagination running wild and leave him amused with the various acts of mischief by the ghost.
It also drives home an important point, which is that there will be alarming consequences when humans knowingly cause harm to the various elements of nature.
4. Cricket for the Crocodile
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A delightful tale about cricket and a crocodile - doesn’t the title itself sound intriguing! The story is about a lazy crocodile called Nakoo, who is respectfully called Nakoo-ji or Nakoo sir by the village boys. The crocodile is usually disturbed because the people of the city and village get together near his river bank to play cricket, making noise and splashing balls into his home. However, Nakoo has other conflicts of his own to deal with too - while he doesn’t like the humans disturbing him, he certainly is bored of eating fish and birds only, and craves for something new to eat, like human flesh! On one such day, Nakoo ventures into the place where the boys are playing, and chaos and hilarity ensue!
Why Your Child Should Read This Story
Much like the previous story, Ghost Trouble, this story also explores the concept of what happens when the dwellings of animals are disturbed by humans for their own needs.
It can also introduce to your child terms related to cricket and spark an interest in outdoor activities and team-play.
5. Grandfather’s Private Zoo
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Your child better strap in because he’s sure to be in for a ride with this story! A well-crafted tale of nature and wildlife, it follows the adventures of the narrator (a young boy) and his grandfather when the latter takes in different animals to maintain his own private zoo. Right from monkeys and pythons, to hornbills and crows, the animals create quite the ruckus and it’s up to their owners to resolve the various troubles they cause! The young boy also discovers various new things and makes new friends in between all these adventures.
Why Your Child Should Read This Story
The best part about this story is that it will introduce to your child different animals he may or may not have heard of before, thus instilling in him an interest in all things wildlife and nature.
It also explains the different behavioural patterns and traits of these animals which will give your little one an insight into the way such animals behave in their own environment.
6. Dust on the Mountain
[caption id="attachment_231988" align="aligncenter" width="299"] Source: http://www.firstcry.com/PUFFIN/Dust-On-The-Mountain-English/1499091/product-detail[/caption]
A beautiful story about a young boy’s love for nature, this one is sure to make your child realise the importance of protecting the environment. When certain situations require the protagonist to leave his homeland, which is situated in the lap of nature, he takes up different odd jobs to sustain himself. He also meets different people, makes new friends, and stays optimistic throughout his journey. But when he comes across what happens at a limestone quarry once i.e the destruction of nature for modernisation and industrial purposes, he realises his love for nature and the need to protect it. He ultimately has to choose between staying in the city or going back to his home in the hills, and that’s what reading the story will reveal.
Why Your Child Should Read This Story
Right off the bat, the story preaches through its compelling narrative how important it is to take care of Mother Nature.
It also teaches your child to stay positive and strong no matter how big the obstacles he faces may be, and to be of good character always.
7. Rusty, The Boy from the Hills
[caption id="attachment_231986" align="aligncenter" width="340"] Source : http://www.firstcry.com/PUFFIN/Rusty-The-Boy-From-The-Hills-English/1499100/product-detail[/caption]
A popular fictional character by Ruskin Bond, this book follows the adventures of Rusty (inspired by Bond’s own character and past) through several short stories. A young boy who lives with his grandparents, Rusty is docile, sensitive, and somehow, always finding himself in the midst of an adventure! From pet pythons to surviving an air crash to encountering a ghost, this boy experiences several things that make for a riveting read. Your little one may be too young to read this book right away but make sure it’s a part of his collection - he’s going to love the stories when he grows older!
Why Your Child Should Read This Story
The book paints a beautiful picture of Rusty’s home in the hills, and yet again, will fill your child with wonder regarding the marvels of nature.
It also portrays how Rusty tackles the different experiences and challenges he faces and how he’s able to grow through them all. As mentioned, this book may be a little advanced for your tiny little one to get started on, but he’s going to treasure this book when it’s time for him to read it!
So, that covers 7 of our top favourite stories penned by Ruskin Bond. But don’t be fooled by how small this list looks - visit your local library or a bookshop and you’ll see that there’s quite a collection of Ruskin Bond books your kid can devour if he’s truly interested! Until then, start him off on these lovely stories, and of course, wait for our next ‘Author of the Month’!
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Is Eating Banana at Night Safe?
We all get late-night hunger pangs and to satiate our untimely hunger, we may opt for a quick snack. Sugary or fried food items are detrimental to our health, especially late at night. Does that mean that we can eat fruits; and is banana one such fruit that we can have at night? If you wish to put an end to your curiosity, read this article. In this post, we talk about whether eating a banana is safe at night or not.
Should You Eat a Banana Before Going to Bed?
Banana is one of the most nutritious foods that we can include in our day-to-day diet. However, most of us may have heard people saying that there are many side-effects of eating a banana at night. Are you wondering, is eating a banana at night harmful or what may be the possible disadvantages of eating a banana at night?
Some health experts and nutritionists say that the only reason that one should avoid eating banana close to bedtime is if you are suffering from a bout of cold or a cough, or you have asthma. This is because consuming a banana close to bedtime may increase mucus formation. Also, eating a banana at night may increase weight because it becomes difficult for your body to digest it. Ayurveda also propagates similar thoughts. However, you may consider consuming banana for any of the following benefits:
1. Helps in Inducing Sleep
If you have had a long tiring day and are experiencing trouble getting some sleep, banana is something that you can consider eating at night. A banana or two can be had close to bedtime because it helps your muscles feel calm and relaxed and thus helps you in sleeping better.
2. Helps in Controlling Stomach Acid
If you have had a heavy meal at night, which was loaded with too much oil and spices, there are chances that you may suffer from heartburn or acidity. Consuming one banana may come handy because it helps in neutralising the stomach acids and thus is beneficial in keeping acidity at bay.
3. Helps in Preventing Muscle Cramping
If you have been experiencing the treachery of muscle cramping in your sleep at night, consuming a banana late in the evening may help in providing much-needed relief. Bananas are rich in magnesium and potassium, the two electrolytes that prove beneficial in reducing muscle cramping.
4. Helps in Curbing Your Sweet Craving
Most of us love to end our meals with sweets, but eating sweets may be a good option at night. Also, many of us may get late night cravings for sweets. Eating a banana is a healthier alternative to eating sweets at night and also putting an end to all those late night sweet cravings.
5. Helps in Giving a Fibre Boost
Bananas are loaded with fibre and thus consuming this super-food close to bedtime helps in providing an extra boost of fibre to the body. Extra fibre can help in keeping type-2 diabetes, heart ailments and digestive health on track.
6. Helps in Lowering Blood Pressure
If you are battling with high blood pressure, you should increase your potassium intake and reduce your sodium intake. Bananas are rich in potassium, which is excellent for keeping your blood pressure under check. If you are unable to meet your daily potassium intake during the day, gobbling down a banana at night can give your body an instant dosage of dietary potassium.
Therefore, if you experience any of the issues mentioned above, eating a banana at night may actually prove to be helpful for your health.
Who Should You Avoid Eating Banana at Night?
Where some people may benefit greatly by eating a banana at night, some people should avoid eating a banana at night. You should avoid eating banana under the following circumstances:
If you are suffering from a cold or a cough, you should avoid banana at night as it may lead to more mucus formation.
If you have asthma, eating a banana at night may cause more phlegm and cause trouble in breathing.
If you suffer from stomach issues such as bloating or gas, eating a banana late in the evening may aggravate the problem.
If you plan to study or work at night, avoid eating a banana as it can make you lethargic and sleepy.
If you wish to avoid tooth troubles, avoid eating bananas at night as it may increase your chances of tooth decay.
If you wish to keep your weight under check, avoid eating bananas at night because these calorie-dense fruits are difficult to digest at night.
Banana Sleep-Enhancing Recipes
Bananas offer us immense health benefits. However, bananas are also great for enhancing sleep. The best and easiest way of eating a banana is in its original form; however, if you want some change or you wish to try some variation, you can use a banana to make some sleep-enhancing recipes. Here are some easy recipes that you can try:
1. Banana and Oatmeal Cookies
These yummy cookies are a great way of putting a sweet end to a tiring day.
Ingredients
2 ripe bananas
1 cup oats
¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
¼ cup mixed nuts (optional)
Method
Mash the bananas into a smooth pasty consistency.
Add oats and mix well.
Add cinnamon powder and mixed nuts, mix all the ingredients into a smooth dough.
Preheat the oven at 180 degrees.
Grease the baking dish and place the cookie dough in shape of cookies.
Bake the cookies for 10 to 11 minutes or until done.
Serve warm.
2. Banana Tea
This tea is very effective in inducing sleep at night, and a dash of cinnamon adds that extra flavour and aroma to the tea. Many of us are unaware that banana peel is edible and nutritious, too. We will be using banana fruit and banana peel in this recipe.
Ingredients
1 medium sized banana
1 cup water
½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
Honey (optional)
Method
Discard both the ends of banana and chop it into big pieces.
Take a heavy-bottomed pan and pour water into it.
Add banana and cinnamon powder into the water and let it boil on low flame for 10 minutes.
Strain the water and add honey for some sweetness.
Serve this tea piping hot.
3. Banana Smoothie
Drink this nutritious and yummy banana smoothie and bid farewell to your sleep troubles.
Ingredients
1 medium-sized banana
½ cup cherries (with seeds removed)
¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
½ cup milk
Honey or brown sugar
Method
Put all the ingredients into the blender.
Churn the ingredients for 30 to 40 seconds.
You may add some flax seeds or chopped nuts while garnishing for some added flavour.
Banana is a fruit with versatile benefits. There are many ways in which you can include this nutritious fruit in your diet. You can also safely eat a banana at night, however, if you are dealing with some health issues that require you to keep a check on what you include or remove from your diet, you should check with your doctor before eating bananas at night.
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Is Eating Blackberry during Pregnancy Safe?
Fruits and vegetables are a great source of nutrition for a pregnant woman. Where some fruits are allowed and considered extremely beneficial for a mommy-to-be, other fruits may be a complete no-no during pregnancy. If you are thinking of adding blackberries in your pregnancy diet but are not sure whether it falls in the category of safe or unsafe pregnancy foods, then you may like to read the following article; in this article, we shall be discussing all that you need to know about consuming blackberries during pregnancy.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Blackberries
If you are wondering whether blackberries are good for pregnancy, the answer is yes, you may safely consume blackberries and add them to your pregnancy diet because they fall under the safe food category during pregnancy. However, make sure you wash them thoroughly before consuming them to remove any traces of dirt, pesticides, bacteria or other such substances. This is because all these may lead to food poisoning during pregnancy and may also cause birth defects in babies. Another important thing to remember is, always consume fresh blackberries as the stale ones may cause stomach cramps and food poisoning.
Nutrients Present in Blackberries
Some of the nutrients that you can find in blackberries include:
Nutrient
Amount (100 grams)
Carbohydrates
10.2 grams
Dietary Fibre
5.3 grams
Sugars
4.9 grams
Protein
1.4 grams
Total Fat
0.5 grams
Vitamin C
21 mg
Iron
0.6 mg
Calcium
29 mg
Health Benefits of Eating Blackberries in Pregnancy
Blackberries are not actually berries, they are called aggregate fruits. These small berries comprise of tiny sections of drupelets. Blackberries have immense health benefits for pregnant women, some of which are explained below:
1. Helps in Improving Digestion
Pregnancy may take a toll on your digestion and make your digestive system sluggish. Blackberries have high fibre content, which helps in taking care of digestion troubles during pregnancy.
2. Good for Your Baby’s Bone Health
The substantial amounts of calcium and magnesium in blackberries is very beneficial for your baby’s bones and thus including them in your pregnancy diet helps in the formation of healthy bones of your baby.
3. Beneficial for the Heart Health
Consumption of blackberries not only helps in the proper functioning of the mother’s heart but it is also beneficial for the foetal heart health. If a pregnant woman has a congenital heart ailment, consuming blackberries may reduce the risk of passing ailment to her baby.
4. Good for Eye-Sight
Regular intake of blackberries is not only beneficial for improving your eyesight, but it is also effective in improving the eye health of your unborn child.
5. Helps in Preventing Birth-Defects in Babies
Being rich in folate, blackberries are very helpful in keeping various kinds of birth-defects at bay. Also, it reduces the chances of miscarriage in pregnant women.
6. Helps in Preventing Excessive Bleeding
Blackberries contain a good amount of vitamin K, which is very beneficial in preventing excessive bleeding during pregnancy because of its blood clotting properties.
7. Aids the Blood Vessel Functioning
The daily intake of blackberries is extremely effective is the proper functioning of blood vessels and thus aids the proper blood flow from the mother to the baby.
8. Helps in Combating Cancer
The presence of micronutrients in blackberries are very effective is battling with the cancerous cells and thus protects you and your baby from the fatal consequences of the disease.
Can Blackberries be Harmful
Just like everything else has pros and cons, the same can be applied for the consumption of blackberries during pregnancy. Here are some drawbacks to eating blackberries during pregnancy:
It may cause an allergic reaction in a pregnant woman.
It may lead to diarrhoea if consumed in large quantities.
Though blackberries are very safe for consumption during pregnancy, however, if you are suffering from pancreatitis, dyskinesia or if you are oxalic-intolerant, then it will be a good idea to stay away from blackberries during pregnancy.
Healthy Recipes for Blackberry
You can eat blackberries in its fresh form, dried form, frozen form, in desserts, in puddings, in salads or various other forms. Here are some healthy blackberry recipes that you may try during pregnancy:
Two tablespoons of dried blackberry leaves can be infused in half a litre of hot water. Half a glass can be taken thrice a day to overcome diabetes during pregnancy.
To overcome gastritis, 50 grams of blackberries can be had half an hour before the meals.
Two tablespoons of dried blackberries can be infused in a cup of hot water for 15 minutes. You may take one-third of this infusion three times a day to overcome the symptoms of stomatitis, sore throat and catarrhal disease.
You may extract immense benefits from blackberries by adding them into your daily pregnancy diet. However, please consult your obstetrician before you do so, to avoid any health complication.
Also Read: Is It Safe to Eat Kiwi Fruit in Pregnancy? Read more
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#BlendItUp Blender Banana Oatmeal Muffins
These hearty muffins are made with smooth-blended banana and oats instead of butter and flour.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
12 People
25 Minutes
15 Minutes
Ingredients
2 cups oats (quick cooking or old fashioned)
2 large very ripe bananas
2 large eggs
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2-3 tbsps (tablespoons) honey
1 1/2 tsps (teaspoons) baking powder(I prefer aluminum free)
1/2 tspn baking soda
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp kosher salt
Up to 1/2 cup mix-ins: chocolate chips (mini or regular), chopped dark chocolate, nuts, dried cranberries, or blueberries (fresh or frozen)
Method
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 4000. Lightly grease a 12-cup standard muffin tin or line with paper liners. If using liners, lightly grease them as well and set aside.
Step 2
Place all ingredients except the mix-ins in a blender. Blend or process on high.
Step 3
Stir the ingredients once or twice as needed, until the batter is smooth and the oats have broken down almost completely, about 3 minutes.
Step 4
Stir in the mix-ins. Add the chocolate chips after the blend cools down, chocolate chips may melt and swirl as they are stirred.
Step 5
Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups, filling each no more than 3/4 of the way to the top.
Step 6
Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips or nuts as desired. Bake for 15 minutes, until the tops of the muffins set. You can test the donness by inserting a toothpick in the center, if done, it comes out clean.
Step 7
Place the pan on a wire rack and let the muffins cool for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
1 Muffin (with dark chocolate chips)
calories
140
protein
5.2 g
fat
3.5 g (1.5 g saturated)
carbohydrates
23.8 g(2.1 g fiber, 10.1 g sugar)
sodium
95 mg
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
Can we have sex during pregnancy and is it safe?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. okay no problem if you don't have any risk factors ko. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. Dr meri baby 12 month running hai uska weight 6 kg hai uska growth nahi ho pa Raha hai to kya kare or over active hai
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. ok see c. if the baby is not having proper height and weight it means that baby is having failure to thrive baby needs investigations like TSH and other related test to find out the reason
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. mere twins baby hai boy nd girl one month 8 days when I check eye and ear which month
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. For the query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Online consultation can also be taken jjand the expert will give you the proper answer .
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. is white discharge in 8th month normal?
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. hi
yes
but if it is too thick or clear like water,if there other symptoms like itching, irritation, redness,foul smell from vagina, please visit your gynecologist
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. My son is 5 months old is suffering from cough..what to do?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. give nasal saline drops every few hourly to the child in the nasal cavity.
try to prevent temperature variations around the child
you can go for indirect steam inhalation which will again help in decreasing both cough and cold
continue the regular diet of the child
if there is no improvement in few days then meet your doctoru
for fever and pain give paracetamol.u
anti-cold medicines at this age have got side effects so can be given only after medical consultation.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
2 hours ago
Q. hi. in Feb my period was last and I did pregnancy test in March its positive results but my belly is not being bigger
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. Typically, your bump becomes noticeable during your second trimester. Between 16-20 weeks, your body will start showing your baby's growth. For some women, their bump may not be noticeable until the end of the second trimester and even into the third trimester. The second trimester starts in the fourth month.
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