"Sometimes the quietest affirmation is the most powerful, and nurturing difference, the greatest love of all," writes a reviewer on Goodbooks.in. As the world grows increasingly diverse, how can we best prepare our teens, pre-teens and children to understand empathy and encourage acceptance? Respecting differences and celebrating inclusion, we believe, can be learnt by infusing diversity into everyday lives and opening minds for dialogue.
As part of our ongoing series for Pride month, we earlier focused on sex, gender, attraction and identities. First, we shared a heartwarming review of our popular picture book 'Guthli Has Wings' written and illustrated by Kanak Sashi. Then, showcased excerpts from two witty and highly praised young adult non-fiction and fiction books ‘Big Hero, Size Zero: Gender Talk’ by Anusha Hariharan and Sowmya Rajendran, and ‘This is Me, Mayil’ by Sowmya Rajendran and Niveditha Subramaniam respectively.
This week, we bring to you an excerpt that highlights diversity, inclusion and acceptance. Read the internationally acclaimed fabulist and poet Suniti Namjoshi’s ‘Blue and Other Stories’, enriched with sensuous colours and ethereal pictures by well known artist Nilima Sheikh.
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“When you read Blue and Other Stories, read it twice. Once for the stories that unfold in Suniti Namjoshi’s minimalist writings, and then for the stories that unfold through Nilima Sheikh’s ethereal illustrations.” — The Hindu
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“Every story in this book is a benediction; there is a blessing planted deep within the words, and the tales evoke a precious kind of joy every time you read them... this book is a precious addition to a child’s imagination, or, more importantly, it examines the autonomous life of such an imagination... If there was only one thing that you wanted to share with your parents or care-givers, let it be this story [Bird Woman]... I wish this book for each and every one of you, and to all those you love.” — Goodbooks.in
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Here's a story that can help young people raise questions, while parents find some answers.
Playful and gentle, the timeless stories in this collection bring depth, lightness of touch and effortlessly traverse layers of myth to speak to readers of all ages. Nilima’s myriad influences in art, combined with her unique style and delicate textures, match and enhance Suniti’s nuanced writing.
‘Blue and Other Stories’ is the coming together of two fine minds to create a contemporary classic.
Once there was a child who sprouted wings. They sprang from her shoulder blades, and at first they were vestigial. But they grew rapidly, and in no time at all she had a sizeable wing span. The neighbours were horrified.
“You must have them cut,” they said to her parents.
“Why?” said her parents.
“Well, it’s obvious,” said the neighbours.
“No,” said the parents, and this seemed so final that the neighbours left.
But a few weeks later the neighbours were back.
Then for the third time the neighbours appeared.
“On at least two occasions you have sent us away,” they informed the parents, “but think of that child. What are you doing to the poor little thing?”
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| An image from 'Bird Women' by Suniti Namjoshi | Illustrated by Nilima Sheikh |
“We are teaching her to fly,” said the parents quietly.
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Dive deeper into the book with a trailer, exclusively narrated by the author...
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In the previous two-part series, we highlighted extracts from our award-winning
young adult books ‘Gender Talk — Big Hero, Size Zero’ written by Anusha Hariharan and Sowmya Rajendran and 'This is Me, Mayil', from the fiction series by Niveditha Subramaniam and Sowmya Rajendran.
In the first post for Pride we shared a review of our popular picture book 'Guthi Has Wings'. Visit our website to buy the book.
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