India New England Interview with Jen Richman

This interview was conducted in June 2011.  If you follow this link, and type in "Farhana Zia" in the search window, you will be taken to the page where you will have to click on "Book showcases shared Indian heritage."
Farhana


Book showcases shared Indian heritage


Issue: June 1-15, 2011

Category: 1-ENewsletter-News



http://www.indianewengland.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=60CECAF0782246D3A7AA2EB6048D53C2&nm=Archive&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=3

A Nice Review!

http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/2011/06/19/hot-hot-roti-for-dada-ji-by-f-zia-review-and-giveaway/


"This is a touching book of family, food, and fun. Young readers get a taste of a family together, enjoying each other’s company, and experiencing new adventures together. The love between Aneel and his dada-ji is evident from the start. Aneel eagerly seeks out his dada-ji to tell him a story, reminding young readers of the importance and pleasure of listening to a more experienced generation. The conflict for Aneel comes in a bit later into the book, when he decides that his dada-ji must have a stack of hot, hot roti, but everyone else is too busy to make them. Not easily deterred, Aneel begins trying to make his own batch, which draws the rest of his busy family into the kitchen.

The artwork of Ken Min is beautiful in Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji. The pictures and the colors capture the family’s culture. Some of my favorite illustrations come from when Dada-ji relays his story of the young lad in the village, but the most touching are the scenes of Aneel and his dada-ji at the end after they’ve eaten their hot, hot roti.



Included at the back of the book is a glossary of terms. I found this very helpful.



Young readers will flip for Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji by F. Zia!"

Thanks, Raana and Omar!

Just returned from a fabulous trip to SF and a much awaited family reunion with Raana, Omar, Nomaan, Angie, Aydin, Samar and Gabby.  Had fabulous lunches, a wonderful sail through the harbor and great time biking alongside vineyards in Napa Valley.  Thanks, Nomaan for picking out a fabulous picnic lunch!
So glad that Mike and Nancy got to read Hot Hot Roti for Dada-ji!

An Interview with Chris Bergeron of the Middlesex News, June 27, 2011

I was happy to welcome Chris Bergeron of the Middlesex News to share some thoughts about Hot Hot Roti for Dadaji.  The link to this interview is provided below.
1.Framingham author offers a delicious tale of food, family


As a gift to her grandchildren, Farhana Zia wrote a story of her native India about a young boy who showed his love for his grandfather by cooking savory hot rotis.





http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/archive/x1413087899/Framingham-author-offers-a-delicious-tale-of-food-family





Mon Jun 27 01:48:10 EDT 2011

Book Reading at the India Society of Worcester

Had my first book reading at the ISW in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, on Sunday, April 10, 2011.  It was a lot of fun to read Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji to a rapt audience of about 15-20 eight and nine year olds.  Many thanks to Shiamin Melville for the warm welcome.  I hope to return  for another book reading soon.  A great experience!

Big Box Arrives!

UPS delivered my personal copies of Hot-Hot Roti for Dada-ji this week.  From an idea that was born during a walk in the neighborhood to this......!  It is so very nice to know that the books are circulating on Amazon.  Happy Reading, everyone!

Kirkus Review

This is another review of the picture book on this site. 

http://www.leeandlow.com/books/pop/review.mhtml?bid=419&id=1709

Another Review of Hot-Hot Roti for Dada-ji

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149612882

Thanks, Omar

Thanks to my son and my technical advisor, I am able to post a link to the first review of Hot Hot Roti for Dadaji.  The word "Review" is live.  Click on it to go to Ms. Bird's blog.

Review of Hot Hot Roti by Betsy Bird (SLJ.com)

Hot Hot Roti arrives home!

I received my copy of the picture book a couple of weeks ago. Nice to be able to hold an 'idea' and a 'dream' in your hand! Reviews of the book are rolling in. A very nice first review by Betsy Bird of School Library Journal. She is a well read and respected children's librarian. Thanks, Betsy! I will try to post the link to the review but until then, try the address below. You will have to cut and paste?
http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2011/02/09/review-of-the-day-hot-hot-roti-for-dada-ji-by-f-zia/

SCBWI Winter Conference 2011, Grand Hyatt, NY

Spent a bit of money but it was definitely worth it. The drive was easy, with the roads relatively traffic free all the way, and even over the Triboro bridge( AKA RFK)onto the river drive (FDR), and into Park Central, a block away from Times Square. Being a little risk averse, I walked the evening before to ascertain the exact location of the conference venue to find it a mere 16 streets and four avenues down from the hotel---translation, a 25 minute brisk walk....a cinch! The roads were icy in places but the walk was refreshing all the way. Nothing nicer than walking the streets of Manhattan. Had a great Friday night dinner at The Colonial and would gladly recommend it to Vietnamese food lovers. Registration was at 7:30 the following morning, followed by a day packed with heavy hitting children's books authors and illustrators. Key note speakers (Lowry, Park, Zarr, Stine) were distinctive, interesting and inspiring and the panelists (Yolen, Look, Williams et all) were engaging and instructive. I enjoyed Zarr. Alhtough now comfortably on the "other side of the track", she was genuine and down to earth. Made me want to run out and get her books from the library. The lunch was mediocre but it was nice to exhange cards (thanks to my son's suggestion) with some other attendees. A great confrence, all in all. I would certainly consider going again, and not merely for an excuse to visit the city. Thanks, SMZ for taking the trip with me.