Shero to the Rescue
Author: 
Ashish Kothari
Illustrator: 
Anusha Menon
age group: 
7+ yrs
Number of pages: 
37
Publisher: 
Kalpavriksh
Themes:
wildlife father Gujarat animals activism
Genre:
Picture book, fiction
 

 

“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”

This line from Shakespeare could very well apply to our central character – a tiny, curious and fierce little hedgehog aptly named Shero. When Shero becomes aware of strange events happening around her home, she sets out to find out what’s really going on. Through her investigations, the reader is introduced to a variety of known and unknown animals that live in the wild and beautiful land of Kachchh, Gujarat. As the reader finds out about birds and animals that they may not have been aware were found in India, they also learn about the trouble that is threatening the animals and humans in the story.

Shero herself is a wonderful protagonist who is headstrong, inquisitive and full of questions - traits that any curious and clever mind will identify with. As Shero and her friends fight the injustices they face, young readers are taught about how vital it is to stand up for what is right, to work together to make a difference and more importantly, that progress for the sake of progress is not as important as the lives of humans and animals alike.

This is a book that would work best being read along with an adult, not only because there are some parts that may be overloaded with information but also because the story will definitely raise questions about the environment, nature and our roles in it which might be difficult to answer but in the long run, will help a questioning child truly understand that though they be but little, their role in preserving our fragile ecosystem is truly important.
 

Reviewed by Sanaya Fernandes