Hush! Listen

What’s that sound? Is it someone laughing or whistling or giggling?

Hello fearless explorers! We’re so glad you’re back for our second expedition into the wild.

This week, there’s some more listening in store, so keep your ears open!

Did you hear?

There are over a thousand glorious birds in India, each with its own distinct plumage. You might recognise the brown and white Brahminy Kite when you see one, but did you know that it wails like a hungry baby? That the striking blue Malabar Whistling Thrush sounds just like you do when you whistle? (Don’t know how to whistle? Just purse your lips and blow!) Don’t be fooled by the Racket-Tailed Drongo’s pretty tail, it’s got a clever head too! This bird can mimic it’s feathered friends like a professional!

In Did You Hear? by Rohan Chakravarty and Sejal Mehta, you’ll discover that when you listen carefully birds have a lot to say!

Pratham Books’ Phone Stories

Explore the wonderful world of wildlife with Pratham Books’ PhoneStories — specially designed to be enjoyed on mobile devices like your phone or tablet — that take you deep into the jungle and introduce you to some fascinating Indian animals, birds, and insects, and their way of life.

All you need to do is, ask an adult to download any free QR code reader of scanner onto their phone and scan the QR code given below and find out what birds have to say.

Created by wildlife and travel writer Sejal Mehta and award-winning cartoonist Rohan Chakravarty, these books have been narrated by stand-up comic Rohan Joshi in English. They are also available in Hindi in an audio-visual format, and in multiple languages on StoryWeaver (www.storyweaver.org.in)

Contest alert!

Enter the Dream Bird contest and win cool prizes!

Draw us a colourful picture of a bird that exists only in your imagination and give it a name! Send your entries to The Hindu Young World by November 30 and you could win copies of all four books by Sejal and Rohan.

Mail your entries to youngworld@thehindu.co.in with Pratham Books as the subject. Don’t forget to include your name, class, school, city and contact details.