Trees and Stories

Tracing Roots: Stories about Trees

Text: Mallika Ravikumar

Illustrations: Swati Kharbanda

Publishers: Karadi Tales

First Print: December, 2020

ISBN: 978-81-9440-714-0

Number of pages: 80

Price: 499/-

 Sometime ago keen to read more on the Peepal I had tried searching the web. My time with Google showed me how Peepal grew on walls and terraces and informed me of the myriad ways in which one could get rid of the species. This was not only strange but also sad. On the other hand were web pages that listed benefits of the Peepal. I ended up wondering why do we not look at trees (nature) beyond the perceived threats and purported uses?

 

This book does that. With its stories it also took me to the days when Amar Chitra Katha and Chandamama were an integral part of my life.

 

The illustrations here have an old time feel to them. A feel that is special - not jaded. They sync well with the text. They also gel with each other and do not try too hard to impress. These illustrations also have a pattern (example: the children listening to the stories are in black and white). The empty spaces and page quality enable the design to flourish. The cover and illustrations may not pull you towards the book but once  it is in your hands you will want to revisit the pages.

 

The book does not burden the reader with either an index or list of latin names. This helps the flow though some uses are stated and Ramayan figures in more than one species. What also works is that the tone is friendly and the species are present around us. However, I was a tad disappointed that here too Pakhad (Pakhri) did not merit space.

 

The Note from the Editor says about the book, “. . not necessarily meant to be a handbook on trees that provides scientific details, we do hope it inspires wonder and awe in young readers about the trees around them . .” This is does well.

Do you love trees?

Do you enjoy stories?

Are you looking for a book which is different / original?

Are you keen to get a book - for younger ones – that you too will enjoy reading?

Does touching hearts - of younger ones - take precedence for you over burdening them with statistics / data?

What is often categorised as trivia interests you? (Example: The name tamarind comes from the word tamar-i-hind or the Indian Date. This was given by Arab traders visiting India – almost 2000 years ago)

Get this book.

Previous book reviews

On Trees

By Karadi Tales