लाल बादाम : Book review

Laal Badam is the story of Rashida and Anwar and the big badam tree in their courtyard. Rich with red fruits, the tree was house to parrots and a host of other birds. The parrots pecked at the fruits and often dropped them in the courtyard, much to the delight of Anwar and Rashida, who would pick up the fruits and polish them off in no time.

But their mother was upset with the parrots for always littering the courtyard with half eaten lal badams. And more with the children, who finished off the fruits without washing them. They had also managed to destroy the wooden doors in the house. Unable to break open the hard seed with their teeth, the children would put it between the wooden door and the frame and slam the door shut. The 

seed would break open and they would pop it into their mouth.

"ये मुए बादामों के पीछे तोतों ने नाक में दम किया है और तुम दोनों ने दरवाज़ों का सत्यानास कर दिया है !"

Between them the siblings were unable to understand what their mother was mad about. Since the door was already spoilt how did it matter that they used it to break the seed? Most children would agree with Rashida and Anwar and exchange looks when scolded by a parent. Children cannot figure out what adults want, or why many of the rules have been made. Author Rumana Hussain manages to reflect that successfully in her writing. I could feel the delight of the children in chasing the parrots, slyly picking up the fruits from the floor and obviously forgetting that they needed to be washed.

The siblings conclude that their mother is unable to appreciate the pleasure of eating lal badams because their maternal grandparents did not have a lal badam tree in their house! They decide that they have to get mother to taste the lal badams for her to really understand why they love munching on the fruits all the time.

The story is originally in Urdu and I read the Hindi translation. The language is easy to read and enjoyable, using some words and phrases influenced by Urdu. The story is based in a Muslim household (the blurb at the back of the book says its a story from Pakistan, but it could be any where in India), which is a rare sight in children’s literature in India, despite having such a large Muslim population. The illustrations by Ruchi Mhasane bring the household alive. The water colours capture details such as the vividly painted and designed kurtis worn by Rashida; Ammi’s dupattas wrapped around her head, the furniture; the cycle in the courtyard and the rocking chair on which their father sleeps. All these add depth to the story and build the background of the family.

However, this is a level 3 book and Pratham Books has targeted it at middle readers. Unfortunately, the story line and plot could be stronger to hold the interest of fluent readers. As I read the book I was expecting the story to move forward, for something more to happen and felt disappointed with the ending. The story as is could be told in lesser words.

But लाल बादाम  is representative of a multicultural world. It brings out the simple things that children take pleasure in. And one pager at the end of the book that talks about the lal badams of Karachi makes an interesting read.

"चिकनिक चूं चिकनिक चूं"

"चिकनिक चूं चिकनिक चूं

बोला भैंस के सिर का जूं

चिकनिक चूं चिकनिक चूं

सिर पे सींग उगाए क्यूँ "

The very first lines of this new nonsense rhyme by Sushil Shukl introduces you to all the fun that is in store. With each repetition comes a question for the peaceful buffalo. Why does he have horns? Why is he always lounging around in the water doing nothing? Why is the brain less powerful than force (referring to the well know Hindi proverb Akal badi ya bhais (it is more useful to use your brain rather than your sword)). As the absurdity of the questions increases, so does the fun.

The text is complemented with illustrations by Atanu Roy, who works in the details but holds off from making the illustrations too intricate. The glorious buffalo is shown in double spread, black and regal, immersed in muddy water as life goes on around him. The birds hunt for food, frogs hop around; many species of fish swim across the pages. Life goes on peacefully till the buffalo decides to pass some gas. And because it’s a buffalo this becomes an event – loud and foul!

तभी ज़ोर से उछला पानी

भैंस ने करी ज़ोर से पूँ

पिकपिक पूं पिकपिक पूं

The water splashes, the buffalo grimaces, the fish and frogs jump out and the seal closes its ears. Then the buffalo smiles widely, feeling good after the release while all the other animals close their nose and hold their breath!

Lara is giggling away at this point and closing her nose. She wants me to read that part again and points out what each animal is doing at this point. The repetition and humour makes “Chiknik Chun” enjoyable for very young children and would work well as a read aloud to groups. We need more nonsense verse and poetry as part of our children’s literature and especially in Indian languages.

Mr Tiger Goes Wild: Book review

Being polite, and proper and disciplined is the adult way to do this. You are dressed well, you know your table manners and “do not act like wild animals.” But not children. Children don’t want to be well-behaved. They don’t want to sit quietly in place, and talk only when talked to. They want to skip, hop, stomp, jump and act like wild animals. So does Mr. Tiger. In a world that reminds you of the Victorian era, all the animals wear suits, ties and hats and walk on two legs, Mr. Tiger wants to loosen up, have fun and be wild.

One day he gives in to his natural instinct to be wild. His prim and proper neighbours are shocked and don’t know what to think of his radical and irregular behavior. Mr. Tiger roars, jumps, swims and has a really good time being himself. A few envy Mr Tiger this fun. But most are not amused. He becomes wilder and wilder until one day he is asked to leave.

“If you must act wild, kindly do so in the wilderness,” his friends tell him. So Mr. Tiger goes into the wilderness, where he is free to be himself. But he misses his friends and his home and decides to come back.

Mr. Tiger will resonate with children who dislikes rules made by society, by adults, teachers and schools. Children want to talk and communicate. They want to learn but freely. It is not natural for children to sit in a classroom quietly.  Movement is a normal part of childhood.

Author and illustrator Peter Brown beautifully establishes the mundane with blocks of brown, grey and black. The buildings, the streets and all the other animals are appropriately dressed in these dull shades while the free spirit of Mr. Tiger is that flash of yellow in each of the pages. Until Mr. Tiger breaks free of all the rules, regally yellow across a double spread, looking straight at you. The wilderness also has patches of vibrant green and blue.

But the ending feels abrupt, almost forced. Mr. Tiger comes back and sees that things have begun to change and he can be himself amid his friends and neighbours. But what brought about this change in such a closed society? Did his wild behavior inspire others to change? Did other animals see the benefit of playing and having fun?

The book is worth reading for the message of “It is important to have fun” and “Be your natural self”.  For my two-year-old the illustrations offered rich detail. But she did not engage with the story much, perhaps because she is still free from any structure, schedules and rules. Perhaps older children (3 to 6 years) will enjoy the book.

Book review: Tiger Boy

Tiger Boy by Mitali Perkins

Publisher: Duckbill

Age Group: Middle Readers

In the first chapter itself, Mitali Perkins manages to connect and takes you back to your schools days as the protagonist Neel drops his “heavy satchel”, unbuttons the “starch white shirt” tears off “those stiff school shorts” and jumps into the refreshing water. Anyone growing up in a hot and humid climate will want to swim along with Neel. The best thing about the story is that you will be with Neel all throughout, feeling his labours with Math, his love of reading, his attachment with his home, family and friends and his reluctance to leave the Sundarbans for secondary school in Kolkata.

All this Perkins builds through a simple story of a tiger cub that escapes from the reserve and Neel’s determination that the cub not fall in the hands of poachers. The story does not have many twists and turns, or a lot of action. For readers used to a fast paced thriller this may take a while to grow. The story builds around the beautiful Sundarbans, the flaming red of the Sundari trees, the threat of cyclones, the difficult balance between man, animal and nature, and the struggle of each to survive.

As news of the tiger cub’s escape reaches the village, the evil Gupta offers a reward for whoever catches the cub and brings it to him. Neel convinces his sister Rupa, who had to drop out of school to help their sick mother, to find the cub first and return it to the reserve. Together the two children set out to hunt for the cub. Their journey is an opportunity for the readers to discover the beauty of the Sundarbans at one level. As he races against time, Neel also realizes that his love of the forest, the tigers and his family means that he must do more to protect them.

Perkins also cleverly delves into several issues that young readers will immediately identify with – parental and societal expectation, the power of reading and gender equality. These are subtly woven into the story, without explicitly talking about them. While Rupa is portrayed doing all the household chores uncomplainingly, her brother is expected to study. This is the reality in many rural and urban poor families in India. But Rupa is bright and the story gives her due credit. Neel also does not accept the status quo. During one instance when Neel tell his sister, “I’ll make sure you get to study, too,” Rupa says “I’ll catch up with you before you know it.” To this Neel replies, “Maybe you’ll pass me.”

Young readers will perhaps appreciate many of the stories strengths. 

The unfamiliar context could nudge them to think beyond their limited environment and exposure. The siblings love for their home, flora and fauna and courage in protecting their right to live alongside humans makes the story memorable.