It’s Tough Being a Grown Up!

by Malika Bhandarkar

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Pub Date 14 May 2024 | Archive Date 13 Aug 2024

Atmosphere Press

Humor | Poetry & Verse

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Description

It’s Tough Being a Grown Up! by Malika Bhandarkar is a smart collection of poems covering pop culture, food, romance, magic, and mischief. With humour and grace, it explores the quotidian questions and realizations that bind us all: where is my share? when is my turn to rewrite the rules? what do you mean I'm not the centre of it all? ...and other lessons from the University of Life.

These lyrical poems are what poetry should be: universal, uplifting, and a breathing space for readers to reflect on their place in the world—with a smile.

Written in the vein of Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, Dr Seuss, Ogden Nash, Judith Viorst, and Vikram Seth, It’s Tough Being a Grown Up! adds to the oeuvre of these poets who have smoothed life’s edges with their benevolent humour and philosophy. It offers readers essential voices that are gentle and joyful. The poems within are tools meant for prying light and laughter from a landscape too often cloaked in gloom and doom, setting the world to right in rhyme.

A Note From the Publisher

Malika has spent about two decades with the United Nations in New York, reimagining the world for people, planet, and prosperity. Though an economist by training from Yale, at heart she is an optimist and poet. An ardent explorer, she soaks in all that the worlds of science, art, literature, and travel have to offer.

Born and brought up in Bombay, India, Malika remains inspired by the rhymes, wit and philosophy of Dr. Seuss, Ogden Nash, Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, Judith Viorst, Erma Bombeck, James Finn Garner, Jeff Moss, Chris Harris, Erin Hanson, Vikram Seth, Khalil Gibran, Rumi, Hafiz and more.

It’s Tough Being A Grown Up! is Malika’s debut book of humourous observational poetry.

Some early global recognition of poems in this book include special mentions in the 2022 Tulip Tree Humor Contest for “Pounce-ciations” and 2023 Minds Shine Bright competition for “The Importance of Name Tags.” Malika is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Malika has spent about two decades with the United Nations in New York, reimagining the world for people, planet, and prosperity. Though an economist by training from Yale, at heart she is an...

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A Note From the Publisher

Malika has spent about two decades with the United Nations in New York, reimagining the world for people, planet, and prosperity. Though an economist by training from Yale, at heart she is an optimist and poet. An ardent explorer, she soaks in all that the worlds of science, art, literature, and travel have to offer.

Born and brought up in Bombay, India, Malika remains inspired by the rhymes, wit and philosophy of Dr. Seuss, Ogden Nash, Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, Judith Viorst, Erma Bombeck, James Finn Garner, Jeff Moss, Chris Harris, Erin Hanson, Vikram Seth, Khalil Gibran, Rumi, Hafiz and more.

It’s Tough Being A Grown Up! is Malika’s debut book of humourous observational poetry.

Some early global recognition of poems in this book include special mentions in the 2022 Tulip Tree Humor Contest for “Pounce-ciations” and 2023 Minds Shine Bright competition for “The Importance of Name Tags.” Malika is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Advance Praise

"These poems are witty and poignant, taking you back to grade school when you just had to make a good report card, and then, all the way through middle age and beyond. The works celebrate life, even the bits that are difficult or downright absurd. Reading this poetry is like spending time with the one person who gets you and makes you feel seen. Enjoy!"

-Lauren E. Anderson, Amazon Reviewer

"This gem of a book will take you to faraway places, like your childhood, make you smile in the middle of the day, and remind you of moments in your life you haven’t thought of in a long time. The humour is gentle, the rhymes are delightful. This books is as precious for children as it is for adults. I would highly recommend it."

-Amazon Reviewer

"It’s a book that will make you laugh out loud, nod in agreement, and perhaps even see the world a little differently. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good laugh and appreciates the clever use of language.

Whether you’re a fan of poetry, humor, or simply looking for a delightful read, It’s Tough Being a Grown Up is sure to bring a smile to your face. Malika has created something truly special with this collection- it has something for everyone."

-Amazon Reviewer

"This book captures the experience of growing up so well. Sometimes fun, sometimes serious, but always witty and enjoyable for both kids and adults. It's great for a quick bedtime story or a moment to reflect on life and everything in between."

-Maddie Craig, Amazon Reviewer