BOOK REVIEWS: Tales from the wild & grandmother’s collection
Two children's books with great illustrations are about awareness & forgotten practices
Perky Parrot, the children’s literature section of Niyogi Books, has recently released two books, one by a herpetologist and conservationist from Goa and the other by a young author from Manipur. Sunday Monitor reviews the two books for young readers who are adventurous and interested in folktales and age-old practices.
Book 1: Eye to I with My First Tiger by Nirmal Kulkarni
This is the story of two 17-year-old wildlife enthusiasts, Nandu and Salu, who are on an expedition in a South Indian jungle. They have been setting up camera traps for days but their exasperation is reaching its peak. This is because, unlike their other teammates, they have not had a major animal sighting. After 15 days of roaming in the forest, all they can think about is home-cooked food.
But forests are unpredictable and every nook has surprises stored for an explorer. The surprise can be small or big but never insignificant. It remains etched in one’s memory for life.
Kulkarni (Read the author’s interview), a renowned herpetologist, conservationist and ecologist, introduces the mysterious Indian forests to young readers through his simple narration. He uses the wildlife expedition lingo to make readers aware of how research is conducted. The author raises interest in conservation among the young and the adventurous in a subtle way.
The illustrations by Aanchal Lodhi add to the vibrance of Kulkarni’s words. Together, they can provoke any curious mind to explore the subject beyond the book.
Kulkarni’s debut children’s book is undoubtedly an important addition to the rich collection of Indian children’s books on the subject of environment and wildlife.
Book: Eye to I with My First Tiger; Author: Nirmal Kulkarni; Illustrator: Aanchal Lodhi; Publisher: Perky Parrot (Niyogi Books); Price: Rs 295
Book 2: Abok, Who Took My Tooth? By Linthoi Chanu
Piktru lives in a village in Manipur with her parents and grandmother. So, when the family starts planning a trip to Imphal, she is overjoyed to see the city and meet her cousins, Meemi and Naoba.
When the trio are having a great time together and relishing “yummy snacks”, Meemi realises that one of her teeth has come loose. She pulls it out. Finding her bewildered, Piktru advises her to give the tooth to Pithrai Khongdaibi. But Meemi is more confused.
The three children then go to their grandmother (abok in Meitei) to ask about Pithrai Khongdaibi. Their grandmother tells them the story of the magical bird who takes the broken teeth of children and gives them beautiful teeth.
The book tells the story of a belief passed on through generations. However, not many children in this modern age are aware of these tales once told by grandmothers. Chanu’s book is for those children who are caught in the urbanisation of time.
Rishita Loitongbam’s beautiful illustrations complete Chanu’s endearing story. The book will be appealing not only to the children in the northeastern state but also outside the region.
Book: Abok, Who Took My Tooth?; Author: Linthoi Chanu; Illustrator: Rishita Loitongbam; Publisher: Perky Parrot (Niyogi Books); Price: Rs 395
