In Jungle Dhun, French author and illustrator Juliette Armagnac presents a wordless story about a young protagonist awakened by a loud sound in the forest at night, immediately setting him off in search of its source. Created during her residency with the Eklavya Foundation through Villa Swagatam, an Indo-French cultural residency programme, the work features Indian nocturnal wildlife and is ideal for readers aged 3 and older.
Although the plot is straightforward, Armagnac’s illustrations speak volumes. Through beautifully depicted facial expressions and posture, the artwork provides visual clues about the protagonist’s relationship with the landscape and wild creatures, yet it leaves enough room for readers to exercise their imagination and interpret finer narrative details. While reading the book, I caught myself wondering: Is that sound a familiar call? Will he interact with any of the creatures he encounters along the way? Has he walked in the forest at night before? Does he feel fear?
The choice of a full-moon night fits the storyline, and double-page spreads accentuate the slow, rhythmic passage of time in the forest. These spreads also create an immersive experience for readers who join the protagonist in the search for the noisemaker. The colour palette goes beyond usual night shades like black, grey, blue, and purple to include occasional touches of yellow and a thoughtful use of white. A careful reading of the book will cause readers to wonder what colours and brushstrokes can capture the transition from night to dawn. I was particularly curious to find out Armagnac’s approach to the night-time melody (dhun) in the jungle, given the book’s wordless format, and I was pleasantly surprised by it.