Kid kaleidoscope

Time Out Mumbai Kids’ Guide edited by Meher Marfatia. Published in 2007 by Paprika Media Private Limited, Essar House, P.O. Box 7964, 11, K. K. Marg, Mahalaxmi, Bombay 400034, tel: 66601111. Pp: 264. Price: Rs 190.

Discover Bombay together, as a family, seems to be the main aim of Time Out Mumbai Kids’ Guide, a 264-page attractively presented manual edited by Meher Marfatia. "What’s fun to do with children all across town, both indoors and out — and where, when and how to go about doing it” can be learnt by leafing through the user-friendly compilation. It is "written to arm you with all the information you’ll need to explore the city, whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor,” as notes the introduction.

Related here is "The Story of Mumbai” where a long-time resident complaining of the city’s poor infrastructure and overburdened transport system may be surprised to learn that the first macadamized roads were laid in Bombay in 1813, and the first BEST bus plied the route from Afghan Church to Crawford Market in 1926. There is another section on the festivals and events celebrated in this megapolis, from the popular Makar Sankrant (Kite Flying Day) and Ganesh Chaturthi to the lesser known Mumbai Bird Race and World Origami Day.

Many a first-time visitor may be so enamored by the infinite opportunities the city offers for eating and shopping, and the tourist attractions listed in "Around Town,” as also "Parks and Gardens,” that they may just decide to stay back longer to visit "Museums and Monuments…to explore the magic of years past.” Even history buffs may not be aware that in addition to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (former Prince of Wales Museum), the city boasts of a Marine Museum, BEST Transport Museum, Mani Bhavan, Monetary Museum, Naval Museum, Nehru Science Centre and Museum, Police Museum and even Sex Education Museum. The Parsi community’s Alpaiwalla Museum finds a mention here too with a detailed narrative starting with: "All right, the Parsis may not be history in Mumbai – not just yet, at any rate – but the F. D. Alpaiwalla Museum does a dedicated job of piecing together their chequered past…”

To keep the children fruitfully engaged with indoor and outdoor activities at classes and workshops, libraries and sports arenas, excursions and camps, there is an exhaustive listing. Needless to say, not every class in Bombay may be fortunate to find a mention in this fast-selling ready reckoner sponsored by Tata Sky and Esselworld. As the editor triumphantly mentions, "With 2,500 copies gone in five weeks, the Time Out Mumbai Kids’ Guide has worked its way up to the Crossword children’s bestseller rack at seventh place out of 10.”

A recommended buy for all enthusiastic parents with energetic children, each listing in every section is replete with name of person or organization to contact, address, phone numbers, e-mail contacts, website, transport information, opening time and admission rates, availability of parking and valet facilities. "Having meticulously researched everything recommended and actually visited places with our children, we’ve gleaned the most essential news to share. Where it’s important we state whether there are clean toilets or nappy-changing conveniences. When restaurants offer high chairs and activities to keep restless kids happily occupied till the food orders arrive, these are highlighted too,” states the introduction.

While the chapter "Party on, Poppet” includes information on venues, menus and gift options in this fun-loving city, what is particularly appealing is the section "Give Mumbai,” inducing in young children the concept of sharing and caring. "In most cases it is their time and effort that is required,” notes the book. "Sometimes it may take a little money as well but that should help them learn the joy of giving. Work of this kind gives children a sense that they’re participating in purposeful activity.” P. M. G.