My Science School

Samuel Clemens regaled generations with some of the world's greatest tales under the pseudonym Mark Twain. But did you know Twain ran for the office of the Governor of New York once? Well, at least in a fictional piece published shortly after the 1870 U.S. election.

Twain's satire on U.S. politics, "Running for Governor which he wrote while travelling throughout the American West appeared as his monthly column for "Galaxy" magazine and in the local "Buffalo Express" newspaper. Over a century later, the story has become a talking point in the light of the U.S. elections, which concluded on November 3.

Getting Political

"Running for Governor" gives an imaginative account of Twain's nun for governor against actual incumbents Stewart L Woodford and John T. Hoffman in 1870. Twain, who innocently believes that "good character would suffice to win against his opponents learns about the rampant corruption, lies and character assassination in politics.

Life on the Mississippi

Growing up in the southern town of Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi, Twain loved role playing as a steamboat crew. He dreamed of becoming a professional steamboat pilot and acquired his pilot licence in 1859. He piloted his own boat for two years before the Civil War stopped steamboat traffic. He gave up the job after a while to pursue other occupations that eventually led him to writing.

Never say never

Though Twain died on April 21. 1910, his adventures continue to delight us. Around 107 years after his death. The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine was published in 2017. Twain had jotted down bits and pieces of this story nearly 30 years before his demise. The handwritten notes were discovered at the Bancroft Library in Berkeley, by Dr John Bird, a Mark Twain scholar and professor at Winthrop University.

Did you know?

• The term "Mark Twain" was a boatman's call noting that the river was only two fathoms deep, the minimum depth for safe navigation.


• His shirts were an invention of his own. They opened in the back, and were buttoned there.


• Twain's stories about Tom Sawyer have brought fame to the Hannibal region. In September 2019, Twain's signature was found on the walls of the cave named after him, which figured prominently in his book, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

 

Picture Credit : Google

From academics and parental expectations to extra-curricular activities and peer pressure, children today are under a lot of stress and anxiety. Released on the occasion of World Mental Health Day in October, Mumbai-based Vaishali Shroff’s new book, "The Boy In The Dark Hole" addresses this important theme.

The book tells the sweet story of a 10-year-old boy who struggles with the burden of parental expectations. The protagonist, mysteriously named SP (you will discover the reason behind it as the story unfurls), gets a discarded cardboard tube from his mother. Sitting in a dark room, SP peers into the darkness of the tube and is reminded of all the times when he experienced negative emotions such as sadness, anger, frustration or irritation. The dark hole is a metaphor of his mental state. Imagining himself to be falling through it, he keeps wondering if there is any end at all to the dark hole.

Shroff believes that in today's scenario, there is a need to raise awareness about the mental health of children. "This book intends to make children get in touch with their emotions." Shroff tells "The Hindu in School". "It teaches children how to go from your dark place to your happy place."

Caught in the deep throes of depression, SP's friends Lobo and Kuhu help him see the light at the end of the tunnel. Usually in books, the protagonists are the heroes - but what I wanted to tell through this book is that there are many children who are not equipped to be those heroes. Not everybody is like a knight in shining armour. Sometimes, they themselves need help. So this book is about not being afraid to seek help from others when you actually need it," she says.

Understanding children's mental health has become pertinent during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, adds Shroff. "In this lockdown, it's been ten months since most children have met their school friends. So this book also tells children that you need to check on your friends and ensure that they are doing good mentally." she says.

Did you know?

• Shroff runs a children's storytelling club. Started in 2009 in Pune, the club functions in Mumbai as well and during the coronavirus pandemic it has been meeting regularly online.


• Shroff made a foray into writing through poetry. Her first poem was published during the 1993 Mumbai riots. The fan mails and appreciation she received encouraged her to write more.


• Her stories are inspired by real-life experiences and tackle complex topics. Her second book "The Missing Bat” by Pratham Books is based on her travels in Kashmir. "Ari" is about an introverted, shy boy. "The Strange Case of Nayantara" is about consent.


• Her latest, 'The Boy in the Dark Hole", has been illustrated by Samidha Gunjal. Her beautiful illustrations bring the story to life and help us empathise with SP's struggle.

Author bio

Vaishali Shroff is an award-winning children's author and columnist based in Mumbai. A prolific author, she has written more than 200 stories, both fiction and non-fiction. She likes to write stories about subjects that are challenging and pertinent, and that serve as icebreakers during difficult conversations. Some of her popular books are "The Adventures of Padma and the Blue Dinosaur", "The Missing Bat", "The Strange Case of Nayantara", "Raindrops" and "Ari".

 

Picture Credit : Google

It's been 35 years since Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes” first debuted in the newspapers. Known as the last great newspaper comic strip", it ran between November 18, 1985 and December 31, 1995.

What it's about

"Calvin and Hobbes" follows the amusing adventures of Calvin, an adventurous six year-old: and Hobbes, his cynical stuffed tiger. Set in the suburban U.S., the strip depicts Calvin's frequent flights of fancy and friendship with Hobbes. To Calvin, Hobbes is a living anthropomorphic tiger, while all the other characters see Hobbes as an inanimate stuffed toy. The series explores contemporary issues such as environmentalism, education, and philosophical quandaries.

Who was Bill Watterson?

William Boyd Watterson started drawing cartoons from the age of eight. An introvert, he preferred to spend time alone in his room drawing Charles Schults "Peanuts" comics inspired him to become a professional cartoonist. When he was in Class V, Watterson wrote a letter to Schulz. To Watterson's surprise, Schulz responded! This greatly encouraged Watterson. In school, Watterson honed his skills by creating high school-themed superhero comics and contributing cartoons and art to the school newspaper and yearbook.

Who were Calvin and Hobbes?

Calvin was named after the Protestant reformer John Calvin and Hobbes after the social philosopher Thomas Hobbes. Watterson decided to name his characters after these social reformers as a tribute to the Kenyon College's political science department, from where he graduated.

Drawing from life

Watterson incorporated elements of his life, interests, beliefs, and values into his work. Like Calvin. Watterson too likes cycling. The personality and appearance of Hobbes is based on Watterson's cat Sprite.

 Fun facts

Against merchandising

Watterson was against merchandising his comics because he felt it would compromise his creativity and cheapen his characters. For years, he fought against pressure from publishers to displaying "Calvin and Hobbes” images on commercially sold mugs, stickers, and T-shirts.

Recognition

Watterson was awarded the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award in both 1986 and 1988, Watterson's second Reuben win made him the youngest cartoonist to be so honoured, and only the sixth person to win twice.

The End

Watterson stopped drawing "Calvin and Hobbes" at the end of 1995 with a short statement to newspaper editors and his readers that he felt he had achieved all he could in the medium. In the years since the comic strip discontinued, he led a secluded life and avoided contact with the media.

 

Picture Credit : Google