A Curly Tale
Author: 
Vayu Naidu
Illustrator: 
Mugdha Shah
age group: 
5+ yrs
Number of pages: 
24
Publisher: 
Tulika
Themes:
ghosts folktales folk art Bihar Madhubani art
Genre:
picture book (fiction)
 

As usually happens in folktales, reality and magic meld seamlessly together, to create a story that not only entertains, but teaches as well. And India has many such gems for children tucked away in various parts of the country.

In this delightful tale from Bihar. Kalia the cobbler, is fed up of being poor. However, hard he works, he never seems to make enoughmoney to make two ends meet. Finally, he meets a sadhu who grants him a very special boon – a ghost who could bestow wealth. But on condition that.....

After a couple of anxious moments, the cobbler succeeds in not only saving his own skin and improving his lot and but also that of the others in his village.

The illustrations done in the Madhubani style of painting from Bihar, lend that earthy touch and yet succeeds in considerably enriching the story.

This book is also available in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Bangla

Reviewed by Shamim Padamsee