As a mom who loves learning about other cultures, I’m always looking for exciting ways to introduce my kids to a new place. So when we’re learning about India, I knew Yali Books was the answer. Their India-focused publishing is a great match. They sent me a copy of their book, A Puzzling Tour of India by Ambika Sambasivan.
When I got the book in my hands and flipped through some pages, I immediately loved this book. Here’s my review. All opinions are my own.
A review of A Puzzling Tour of India
As the title mentions, there are different puzzles that take young readers on a tour of India. Fifty puzzles.
Each of the fifty puzzles introduces a new idea about India. This could be about a specific city, a specific area of a specific city, things people do, the history, the people themselves, the food, animals, and many other things. Each puzzle is also different. One page could be a maze, one can be a prompt to draw, a search for a specific shape, circle the differences, or cut out some pages to put the pieces of a puzzle together. Don’t worry about ruining another puzzle when working on one. Each prompt gets it’s own piece of paper. The back is blank so there’s no marker bleeding through or cutting through another activity.
Another note. This is not a book to sit down a complete in one session. Take your time. Focus on each puzzle and use the prompts to encourage more discussion about India.
Children’s book to help kids understand India
Let your kids learn about #India through interactive puzzles. Click To TweetEach of the pages includes a small paragraph introducing the theme of the page and the activity’s instructions. After going through some of the activities, I think this is a genius way to immerse someone into another culture. The activities allow the reader a deeper appreciation and understanding of India.
For example, let’s take the Rock Garden of Chandigarh on page 27. The page’s prompt says “The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is filled with odd-looking sculptures made from recycled stuff. Can you draw some more to fill the empty section of the garden?” Looking at this prompt, we now know what the Rock Garden is. The more curious puzzler may take the time to look it up online, read more, and look at pictures. But even those who don’t will remember their own drawings of their own Rock Garden. That is pretty amazing.
Places and Faces in India
Another thing I noticed about this puzzle book. Yali books sells several story books about India. Within the pages of A Puzzling Tour of India, I came across other scenes and characters I became familiar with in other books. More about those books, scenes, and characters in the coming months.
India puzzles and activities for all ages
The puzzles are aimed towards kids 6 and older. My five-year-old, who loves puzzles, was able to work on a few if I read the instructions to him. For those with younger kids, don’t fear. Because the pages are black and white it would make a nice coloring book, too. For those with older kids, I recommend using the backside of each page to write some notes about India. Use the prompt as the jumping point for online research.
Since summer is quickly approaching, I think this would be a fun book to buy for kids. Spread the activities out throughout the summer months. By the start of the school year your kids will know a lot more about India. You can purchase the book on Amazon here: A Puzzling Tour of India.
Age Range: 6+ years
Author: Ambika Sambasivan
Type: Paperback, 116 pages
Publisher: Yali Books
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0989061520
Interested in India travel for kids?
Whether you’re traveling through India or just interested in the culture, A Puzzling Tour of India is a fun way to learn more. Because I think one of the coolest parts of this book is using it as a basis for further India research, I’ve invited three travel bloggers to share their experiences in India. Check out to see the book’s activities for the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, and Mahabodhi Temple. Then read some travel blogger’s experiences in those same places.
More books about India for Kids
- Here’s my review for Mina vs. the Monsoon
- Loved Milky Way
- A fun first in a series: Bye, Bye Motabai
- More children’s books set in India
What a fun travel book for kids! I love how reading helps gets my kids curious about the places we visit:)
This is a pretty awesome book!
I love the concept of this book! I think adults would have plenty of fun with it, too–not just kids.
Love this! Such a great way for kids to learn.