Did we smirk when we heard of a manual for habit formation in children? We admit, we did. As a parent of two, this writer has been trying to wrap her head around what works and what doesn’t. With every formula tried and tested, one more book wouldn’t hurt, we thought. So we started reading habit coach Ashdin Doctor’s The Book of Good Habits, hoping for straightforward formulas. What we got instead was a story of a family—Meera, Avi, Rati and Nivaan—as they discover discipline in everyday scenarios. 

Beautifully illustrated by Bengaluru-based Vibha Surya, and meant for children in the age group of six to nine years, the principles of pattern formation were interestingly categorised not chapters that covered patience, creativity, making friends, eating healthy, expressing gratitude, amongst others. Scene one (and many others) seemed straight out of our home—word for word. But then,these are universal problems in parenting.