#390 - The Block Printed Tiger
by Joeanna Rebello Fernandes and illustrated by Nina Sabnani & Piyush Verma
“The Block Printed Tiger” by Joeanna Rebello Fernandes and illustrated by Nina Sabnani & Piyush Verma. Published by Tulika. A rollicking story in an appealing verse format replete with quirky illustrations of a runaway tiger from the forest of Ranthambore who has a whale of a time sauntering through the dazzling bazaars of Jaipur.
Foxy Farouqi as he is is called in the book is an old tiger living in the forest of Ranthambore. He is bored with his jaded old coat. The incessant taunts and fun that he gets subjected to by creatures like monkeys about his old age add to his misery. He has heard about the famous block printed cottons of the pink city of Jaipur. He feels that it is the right time for a makeover which would make things better for him. It would also be a good change to go in person and check out the bazaars of which he has heard so much.
Farouqi does land up eventually in the famed Bapu Bazaar which is a shopper’s paradise. He is dazed and dazzled by the bright and merry colours of the wares. Soaking in the delightful sights, he feels good and satisfied. Now all he needs to find is a shop where there is a seller. The market seems to be haunted with not a soul around. Everyone was hiding having seen a tiger walk towards the bazaar you see :) They couldn’t be blamed of course. It isn’t exactly common occurrence for a tiger to walk in right!? How were they to know that the tiger was looking for prints and not prey as was naturally expected? Read the hilarious book with its bright and cheerful illustrations to savour the delicious story of Foxy Farouqi.
My 8.5 year old son and I enjoyed reading this book at bedtime. The imaginative plot was a super hit for him. He just couldn’t stop looking at the pictures and giggling while going through the verse. He was amused to see the tiger checking out various fabrics by draping it on himself and twirling before the mirror like a model :) He was curious to know what the tiger was going to choose and whether he would fit into the “catsuit” that was stitched specially for him. His only grouse was that the book should have been longer. Maybe the tiger should have shopped more or something should have been added about what happens when he returns to the forest and other animals see him. All in all he enjoyed the book and couldn’t get over the fact that he had finished reading it :) He was fascinated to know about the various fabrics that were talked about and wanted to know more about techniques like block printing and tie and dye. Overall the book is a feast for the senses and filled with fun, adventure, humour, wordplay and armchair travel of course!
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 8 and above.
Reasons to Read
For a light read filled with lots of fun and humour sure to bring about a laughter riot with imagination running wild :)
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika here.
P.S - An irresistible birthday sale of 27% off on the entire collection is going on right now on the Tulika website till the end of this February.