By Nilima Sinha

Another work of Nilima Sinha which deserves mention here is The Lonely Princess. The cover page and the title of the book made me think that it was yet another stereotypical tale of a pampered princess, however it wasn’t so. While the book depicts the contrast between upper-lower class lifestyles, Sinha’s writing helps break gender stereotypes and lets the central character transcend class boundaries. Manika is a pampered princess with servants at her beck and call to fulfil all here wishes.


Reviewed by: Nidhi Seth

In Sinha’s A Time Together! the father not only cooks but also helps clean the table after the meal


Reviewed by: Nidhi Seth
By Nilima Sinha

Bowing to his wishes, his parents permit him to venture out into the world where Bullu saves himself from animal attacks. The potential danger posed by strangers to young children is explored through the story of an innocent goat kid Bela who falls into the trap of a wicked wolf, in Sinha’s Stranger at the Farm.


Reviewed by: Nidhi Seth
By Nilima Sinha

Books play an important role in children’s socialization and can play a vital role in reinforcing or breaking stereotypes. Surely there are some stereotypes both at the level of text and at the level of illustrations such as in Nilima Sinha’s The Great Show, reptiles are not only designated as ‘creepy crawlies’ but are also not accurate in most of the illustrations. On the other hand, the tortoise wears spectacles signifying wisdom and sagacity.


Reviewed by: Nidhi Seth
By Nilima Sinha

Another story of Sinha’s, The Grumpy Owl mediates the adult-child conflict through a perpetually grumbling baby owl Bullu. Bowing to his wishes, his parents permit him to venture out into the world where Bullu saves himself from animal attacks.


Reviewed by: Nidhi Seth