The Smartypants series by Anushka Ravishankar, illustrated by Pia Alize Hazarika (Duckbill Penguin) are a compact set to tickle brain cells of little ones. The dash of humour and eye catching graphics jostle with the facts and concepts presented, making the set of books a complete package.
With four books in the series, there is a diverse mix of GK-based content for young readers.
The Solar System for Smartypants demystifies the universe and the solar system. Readers get a glimpse into the orchestrated celestial dance that takes place here, peppered with facts and figures that will enthrall them. Evolution for Smartypants is origin of species simplified. Right from explaining what is meant by the term species, to describing how species have gradually and slowly evolved over the years, this book presents the concept in an accessible manner. Photosynthesis for Smartypants explains the simple process of how plants make food with the help of water and sunlight. Also amalgamated within are concepts related to osmosis and growth of plants. Gravity for Smartypants describes in simple words how gravity is a force and how it works on different bodies such as the earth, sun and moon.
These are ideas and concepts that could get complicated if enveloped in jargon. However, explained in simple terms, they open doors to the wonders of science. This is what the series wins at. On one hand there are simple straightforward explanations of the concepts, and on the other hand, there is a bit of fun injected within by introducing the protagonist, a curious cat who leads the conversation!
