The Dog with Two Names
Stories that Celebrate Diversity
Short Story Collection (9+)
Longlisted for the Crossword Book Award (2024)
Three best friends from the gullies of Mumbai have a falling out. Then
a deadly cloudburst threatens their neighbourhood. Will they be able to
overcome their religious differences and unite in the face of danger?
When outsiders enter Moin’s neighbourhood and complain about the smell,
he is disheartened. But then a beautiful new smell enters his world. What is it?
A girl dislikes the new ‘outsider’ school girl at her boarding school in
Landour. Can music bring them together?
A young apple seller in Kashmir is astonished at the brash city ways of tourists at his orchard. Will he have the last laugh?
Each story in this collection celebrates differences and multiple perspectives.
Our rainbow society comes to life in these pages—teeming with diversity—
in which children stand up and make our world a kinder, richer place.
Together, these stories of fellowship, filled with emotion and humour, hold
out a beacon of hope and love.
"Nandita da Cunha's ‘The Dog with Two Names’, a collection of 12 short stories, leaves you with triumphant endings and is a great weekend read for all ages"
"the story of Mongalina-Asha, the eponymous character from the collection’s titular story, is a shining example of how lessons—on sectarianism, secularism, environmental consciousness and community participation—can all converge into an endearing, plot-driven story. Then, there is the story that follows Krish, the protagonist in The Super Swoopers and one of the strongest characters in the book, who is served well by da Cunha’s tight focus on crafting a story on citizen activism against a disingenuous razing of a low-income neighbourhood."
“The short stories are all about kids my age (middle graders), and the situations in each of them felt really relatable. Actually, the main characters and even the other people in the stories felt like people I know. It was almost like reading anecdotes from my own life. Pretty cool, right?! While the stories delve into themes of rivalry, rudeness, disparity, and more, each one concludes with a happy ending, making them truly enjoyable to read."
"it’s a fantastic book that celebrates diversity through the perspective of children, adding to its appeal and relatability for young readers"
"The author has delivered a powerful message in a simple yet engaging manner making the book a compelling read. The authors perspective on how children can stand up and make a difference, is what makes this book unique.
The strength of the book lies in its compelling storytelling. The characters are well developed and unique displaying emotions and humour. "