Panna
Author: 
Kamala Das
Illustrator: 
Puja Ahuja
age group: 
7+ yrs
Number of pages: 
36
Publisher: 
Puffin
Themes:
value education siblings sea folk art
Genre:
picture book, fiction, fantasy
 

Panna, a little girl finds her way into the sea world as she waits for her brother, Moti to return from fishing. She enters a fantasy sea world of green moving sky, coral houses and streets cobbled with pearls. The black and white illustrations in the Madhubani folk art tradition, enhance the simplicity of village life and the white background highlights the purity of deep love between the siblings.

Panna, with hair-like sea waves, fish-like eyes and a mermaid-like body, is an alluring character; so alive that it stays with children days after they have been introduced to her.

A must read story for children and should definitely be part of your personal collection of children books!

Ruskin Bond has strongly recommended this book. In his words - A famous poet gave us a lovely story of fairy-tale magic set along the sea coast near her home in Kerala. Just right for reading aloud to your children, or starting them off as readers in their own right. Kids will love the Fish King and the Fish Queen, and little Panna will steal your heart...’   I

Reviewed by Ruhi Gurjar