A To Z of Indian Cities

 

The Book

Title: A To Z of Indian Cities - Ahmedabad to Zunheboto

Author: Rati Malaiya

Illustrations: Bechain Nagri Studios

Publishing: Harper Collins Children’s Books

ISBN: 978-93-5422-003-6

Year of publication: 2021

 

Pluses

Illustrations, lay-out and the colours captivate. The book size is appropriate. All of these gel wonderfully too.

The theme is appealing. I believe that making younger people aware and sensitive to the diversity of our country is crucial and the book had me excited.   

 

Minuses

Books for younger ones have taken lofty steps during recent years. The text here appears to have missed the bus. It is high on clichés but could have done with more quality research, sensitivity, nuanced detailing and respect for reader’s intelligence.

The book appears to cater primarily to the urban rich. There is also a strange fascination with wealth.

A map depicting locations of these 26 places would have helped.