|
|
|
|
39 Clues to succeed Harry Potter?
Indo-Asian News Service
Those gnawed by emptiness following the completion early this year of the Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling can take heart. Scholastic, the books' US publisher, has unveiled plans Tuesday to launch what it hopes will be a follow-up blockbuster series.
Called The 39 Clues, this series of mystery novels will feature 10 books - the first of which will be released next September - as well as related Web-based games, collectors' cards and cash prizes.
The series will be targeted at readers in the 8-12 age group and tell the story of a centuries-old family, the Cahills, who are supposed to be the world's most powerful clan. According to the books, famous historical figures ranging from the inventor Benjamin Franklin to the musical genius Mozart were members of the family.
The source of the series' power is a mystery that can only be unraveled by assembling 39 clues hidden around the world throughout history. The plots will revolve around the race by two young Cahills, Amy, 14, and Dan, 11, against other branches of the family to be the first to find the 39 clues that will lead to ultimate power.(Posted on December 19, 2007)
Kerala CM to prevent closure of British library
Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Tuesday held discussions with a British Council official in an effort to prevent the closure of the council's library in the Kerala capital.
"We have expressed our desire to see that the library remains functional here in some form or the other. The representative of the council said he will discuss this with his officials," Achuthanandan told reporters after meeting Chris Gibson, British Council's director for south India.
On Dec 6, Rod Pryde, British Council director for India and Sri Lanka, announced the closure of the library on Feb 28.
The library, started in 1964, has a collection of about 27,000 books, which would be shifted to other nine British Council branches in the country.(Posted on December 18, 2007)
Colorado to ring in 2008 with Indian fables
It is not Tom & Jerry, Sesame Street, or even Harry Potter. Colorado will ring in New Year this time with an animation series based on Indian fables and nonsense rhymes made by renowned US-based Indian animator Manick Sorcar.
"Starting at 6.30 a.m. Jan 1, the prime time for children during holidays and weekends, the continuous one-and-a-half hour programme will be telecast by a number of Colorado TV stations of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)," Sorcar told IANS from Denver, the capital of Colorado state in the US.
Manick Sorcar is the son of legendary Indian magician P.C. Sorcar and brother of P.C. Sorcar (Junior).
Deepa & Rupa... is based on a story from the Bengali fable Thakurmar Jhooli, The Sage and The Mouse and The Woodcutter's Daughter are from The Panchatantra, and Sniff is based a popular nonsense poem from Sukumar Ray's Aabol Taabol. |
|
|
|
