But Papa, I did not cry.’ In another story, science and wonder walk side-by-side. From ice cream to Einstein’s Museum, relativity is explained so simply that even children can see its lightness. Yet beyond science, kindness, and rescue shine.
Suno Kahani 2 unfolds with ‘Badi Hokar Main Hawai Jahaaz Banungi’ where a mother and daughter turn the everyday into sky-bound play, and imagination acts as both—wings and the destination. In ‘Khoya Hua Haathi’, an elephant wanders into town— for the crowd it is a spectacle; for the elephant, a lost path back home.
Yet in sharing it, he transformed that private gift into one that now belongs to countless children. The book does not ask its young readers to follow a strict order. Chapters can be read like leaves plucked from a branch. In this playfulness lies the essence of childhood, discovery without boundaries, freedom without rules.
Ek tha Ramu is a tender tale of human-animal companionship. This book tells of a man’s love for a stray dog and the grief that follows its loss. Ashok Seksariya’s narrative is simple yet moving, while Neelesh Gahlot’s illustrations, though limited in number, add warmth and poignancy. The story introduces children to the intensity of attachment and the inevitability of mortality in a manner both gentle and memorable.
Being left-out, alone, hurt, rejected— most of us have felt some or all of these emotions at some time or the other; for a short time or for longish periods as well. The protagonist in this book is a little girl who is constantly trying to be noticed and appreciated by her peers, whether in games or at school, or any other occasion. She feels there is nothing ‘good enough’ or ‘special’ about her that will win her their appreciation.
With an amazing concept and creative as well as colorful illustrations, this picture book is well worthy of all the awards and recognitions coming its way. The illustrations have very innovatively played around with the many words with ‘bb’/‘ee’ sound in the end.