India’s best-loved children’s writer Ruskin Bond introduces us to some of the most endearing and adorable characters he has ever written about—his grandfather, with his unusual ability to disguise himself as the street-vendor, carpenter and sometimes the washerman; the eccentric and ubiquitous Uncle Ken, with his knack for trouble and disastrous escapades; the stationmaster Mr Ghosh and his amazing family comprising a dozen mice; and the unforgettable Aunt Ruby, whose encounter with a parrot who wouldn’t talk will make you burst with laughter!

Meet the regimental myna, read about the snake who turned into a handsome prince every night, and enjoy the tale of the author’s travails as a cook…Heart-warming, funny and delightful, The Parrot Who Wouldn’t Talk and Other Stories features some old favourites as well as refreshingly new stories written exclusively for this collection.

Marked by Bond’s inimitable style and trademark humour, and embellished with lively illustrations, this book will be a firm favourite with children.

Age group of target audience (Puffin): 10 +

Read what one of our Penguin Club members thought of Ruskin Bond’s new book, The Parrot Who Wouldn’t Talk and Other Stories:

Ruskin Bond has always been a great favourite of mine, and his latest book promises to be a treat for kids and adults alike. The stories in this book recount interesting events from Bond’s childhood, and introduce the reader to some delightful and eccentric characters, both human and animal. There is even a naughty little ghost, in ‘We Capture a Ghost’, that eventually helps rid the author of a pesky relative in a very novel way! Bond’s simple and humorous style of narration makes each story in this collection memorable.

The title story is about a rather clever parrot that returns to torment its bad tempered owner. ’White Mice’ introduces a stationmaster with a very strange hobby, while ‘The Regimental Myna‘is about a rather unusual recruit to an army regiment.

‘Trapped by a Tiger’ is the thrilling tale of a ‘shikar’ gone wrong’, as the hunted tiger stalks the young narrator. ’Bitter Gooseberries’ narrates an old Burmese tale of a harassed son-in-law with a difference, while ‘A Bicycle Ride with Uncle Ken’ humorously touches on the young Bond’s misadventures, caused by a growing interest in girls.

Bond’s affection for his relatives, especially his Grandfather and Uncle Ken, are evident in the stories about them, and in the gentle humour he uses to describe their exploits. Also evident is his strong attachment to Dehradun, the small town he grew up in.

While the book is targeted at ten year olds, I must say that I and my five year old daughter thoroughly enjoyed reading it together. I must also mention Kavita Anand’s charming black and white illustrations which, at first glance, seem deceptively simple; a closer look reveals lots of quirky detail, bringing the characters they portray to life.

My favourite illustration is that of the turbaned warrior from ‘A Bicycle Ride with Uncle Ken’ – don’t miss the little bird perched on his “tremendous moustache”!

All in all, vintage Bond!

Lavanya Karthik