Children’s books for sculpting a beautiful world

Among the various childhood objects and experiences that come to my mind, one striking and unforgettable memory is that of reading lots of Amar Chitra Kathas (ACKs). This constituted a sumptuous, nutritious diet for the mind, heart and soul, and kept one in good stead in the roller-coaster of ups and downs, joys and sorrows of those growing up years. The books on Guru Nanak, Ghatotkacha, Ananda Math to Ashoka, all told us some fascinating stories of the ultimate victory of good over bad and darkness over light.

Similarly, one fondly recalls lapping up books like Ugly Duckling, Emperor’s new clothes, Sleeping Beauty and many such fairy tales, written by Hans Christian Andersen. Last Monday, 2nd April was celebrated as International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. Quite appropriately, the ICBD is celebrated around Hans Christian’s birthday!

As one flipped the illustrated pages of these books, the valour and patriotism of various characters seemed to flow steadily. The costumes, facial expressions, landscape, architecture were so elegantly expressed in the delicate sketches. The ‘fairy tales’, as they are called by the adult world, by presenting practically the unbelievable, stimulate a child’s imagination, gets them to aspire high and encourages them to dream big! Sitting for hours, as a child, guzzling up what these books had to offer, one was transported to a different world where their dialogues and words came alive. As little children, one would literally feel the characters therein popping out of the pages becoming more real than one’s own family and close friends! The impressions that such early reading leaves on the young minds get practically etched in stone! Such is the impact!

The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) honours authors and illustrators with the Hans Christian Anderson award at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. The 2018 award went to Russian illustrator Igor Oleynikov and the Japanese author Eiko Kadono. Kadono’s books are always engaging and life-affirming and almost always fun to read. Most of her stories are based in Japan. Very refreshingly, they depicted women as self-confident, empowered and capable of coping with complex and complicated situations. All this, expressed in a dynamic, invigorating style with an element of literary playfulness. This delights the readers to no end.

Oleynikov is a brilliant illustrator/animator and a master of design. He has a certain magic in the way he can infuse life in a page! In case one has missed it earlier one should see how Igor brings movement and expression to the character of Mahalia the mouse who goes to Harvard! A few days ago, sitting 8,920 miles away from home, in California, I saw six-year-old Arun curled up in the sofa with the ACK of Prahlad. When his mom saw this and asked why he is reading the same book again, he looked at her sheepishly through his glasses and smiled. I smiled, too, and relished the joy and therapeutic comfort of reading the ACK of Rani Durgavati strewn around, perhaps for the ninth or tenth time.

Such fairy tales and mythological stories have a certain rhyme and reason associated with them. Amongst all the strange characters and confusion that initially prevails in these stories, the emphasis is on the final order and a certain inspiring victory in life or death. They forge our innate faith and belief. These stories reinforce that every one of us, no matter what, has a special role and distinct opportunity to contribute to the world. Here’s hoping we go back to childhood, indulge in these beautiful memories. Let’s also share these stories and tales with our friends, young and wise. We may do our bit in nurturing excellence, humane qualities and a global fraternity, sculpting a beautiful world around us.

The author is a Harvard-educated civil servant & writer, and has worked in the education sector
jayanti.ravi.dna@gmail.com