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RAJA’S PET CAMEL: The Magic of Hope

November 27, 2020 Claire Annette Noland 13 Comments

I am excited to share a debut trade picture book that not only takes us around the world but was written by my Cardinal Rule Press publishing sibling. I’ve had a front row seat watching the process from illustrations to cover reveal to book launch. I’m so happy to see it being enjoyed by young readers.

RAJA’S PET CAMEL: The Magic of Hope
By Anita Nahta Amin (author) and Parwinder Singh (illustrator)
Cardinal Rule Press 2020
Picture book ages 4-8
Setting: the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India
Themes: Hope, perseverance, pets

The story begins:
As Raja walked home from
school, a lone baby camel cried.
Me-yoo… Me-yoo…

 

When Raja discovers a young camel, he befriends it with the dates in his shiny lunch tin. They cuddle and play. Raja names him Kamal and decides to keep him as a pet.
But Raja’s father, Bapu, disagrees. Animals work. They aren’t pets- there just isn’t time. But he listens to Raja’s pleas and agrees that Kamal can stay until they find a home for him.
Unfortunately, Kamal is wild and causes all sorts of problems from knocking down fences, to smashing pots, and eating all the dates.

When Bapu decides that it is time to sell the camel at the fair, Raja has another idea. Knowing there will be a camel race, he decides to train Kamal in the hope of winning money so that Bapu will let the camel stay with them. Kamal cooperates, but only when offered dates.

When they reach the fair, Raja does his best to discourage people from buying Kamal. He enters the race but can’t find any dates to encourage Kamal. Off they go and Kamal and Raja do their best to keep up with the larger camels until Kamal spies a man with dates and trouble follows.

Kamal returns home with Raja. After all, he’s only a baby camel and nobody wants to buy him. Perhaps, Raja suggests, they can train him to guard the goats.

Why you need to add RAJA’S PET CAMEL: The Magic of Hope to your book shelves:

  1. Set in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, the vibrant illustrations show traditional aspects of the region where the book is set. The fabrics, clothing, animals, and dwellings bring Raja’s village to life.
  2. There aren’t many picture books set in India and this one is exceptional in showing how, even though our surroundings and lifestyles are different, children have the same wishes and desires.
  3. Raja is a boy that all children will want to have as a friend. They will be rooting for him to be able to keep the camel.
  4. The back matter includes interesting facts about life in the desert region including meals, musical instruments, and transportation.
  5. RAJA’S PET CAMEL is a great book to read aloud. The text and illustrations are filled with humor and children will laugh when they see the trouble that Kamal gets into. And, who wouldn’t want a pet camel?

Here is a postcard from author Anita Amin to readers of RAJA’S PET CAMEL: The Magic of Hope

Visit Anita Amin’s website to learn more about the inspiration behind RAJA’S PET CAMEL: The Magic of Hope.

Filed Under: Book Travel, Bookish Field Trips, Multicultural Children's Books, picture books, Places Tagged With: Anita Amin author, India-picture books, pet camels, RAJA’S PET CAMEL: The Magic of Hope

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jilanne Hoffmann says

    November 27, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    Now I’m wondering whether Kamal spits on anyone, LOL! I do think it’s a great resolution for Kamal to guard the goats, the way llamas are used to guard sheep and other livestock. This book is on my TBR list! Great rec!

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      November 29, 2020 at 2:24 am

      Now I’m wondering about Kamal spitting. I’ll ask Anita if that was in any early drafts.

      Reply
      • Anita Amin says

        December 1, 2020 at 6:16 pm

        Thank you so much for sharing about RAJA’S PET CAMEL, Claire!

        Reply
    • Anita Amin says

      December 1, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      Hi Jilanne! Well, Kamal does spit at neighbors in the book, so they are not too fond of Kamal, but Raja loves her regardless!

      Reply
  2. Patricia Tilton says

    November 27, 2020 at 9:09 pm

    I love to share books about India. But I didn’t realize that there was a desert. What a timeless story about a boy and his beloved pet camel. Love, love the expressive illustrations! Colorful and fun!

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      November 29, 2020 at 2:23 am

      Picture books are sure great to read to learn about new places!

      Reply
    • Anita Amin says

      December 1, 2020 at 6:13 pm

      Hi Patricia! Yes, the Thar Desert is in Rajasthan (Northwestern India). My family is from there. So glad you like the book and yes, Parwinder’s illustrations are so wonderful!

      Reply
  3. Julie Rowan-Zoch says

    November 27, 2020 at 10:37 pm

    You sold me! Will be on the lookout for it!

    Reply
    • Anita Amin says

      December 1, 2020 at 6:13 pm

      Hi Julie! Hope you like it!

      Reply
  4. Maria Marshall says

    November 28, 2020 at 5:04 am

    I’ve also added it to my TBR list. Thanks for a great review and Anita’s fun ideas.

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      November 29, 2020 at 2:21 am

      Thanks, Maria. It has been so fun to watch the progress of Raja’s Pet Camel!

      Reply
    • Anita Amin says

      December 1, 2020 at 6:14 pm

      Thanks, Maria! Hope you like it!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Raja’s Pet Camel Book Release Highlights • Cardinal Rule Press says:
    December 17, 2020 at 1:01 am

    […] of A Field Trip Life, who had a book published with Cardinal Rule Press just this past May, Evie’s Field Day, had this […]

    Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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claireannettenolandbooks

Author | teacher | Field Trip Planner
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