Sabri’s Colours
by Rinchin and illustrated by Shailja Jain
“Sabri’s Colours” by Rinchin and illustrated by Shailja Jain. Published by Tulika. A poignant tale of little Sabri who desires to be able to fill colours in her drawings thereby capturing what she sees.
Sabri lived in a remote village near the forest. She had to cross three hillocks and a small stream everyday to go to school. She loved to draw. She drew scenes from her life wherever and whenever she could. Paper and pencil were precious things and she seldom used them to draw. For her, the mud floor of her hut and a khadu which is a kind of chalk would do. Only her best drawings would make it to paper lent to her by her sisters from their old notebooks.
One day Sabari saw the teachers in her school making charts for school inspection. They took out colour pencils and paint bottles which looked magical to her. If only she could use them! But they weren’t available for students. She would need special permission to use them. They were kept locked in a cupboard by the senior Guruji. Her heart desired to use colours in her drawings. How else could she capture some beautiful moments in her drawings!
Some of the boys from her village made fun of her love for drawing. But this didn’t make Sabari give up. Would Sabari get her colours after all? How could she attempt to get them? Read the story set in a tribal village of the Nimar region in Madhya Pradesh. The brightly coloured illustrations make the story come alive.
My eight year old was moved by the story. While he couldn’t understand initially why it was so difficult for someone to not have access to paper and pencil so easily, he understood as the story progressed. He was surprised that someone like Sabri hadn’t seen colour pencils or paints before. He was quite put off by the behaviour of the boys towards Sabari. Feisty Sabari’s determination and spirit to get what she wanted were very inspiring. The topic of tribals being displaced by the government from the forests is mentioned subtly in the story. The book is part of the word bird books where regional words are used and their meanings are explained with the help of birds.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 6+.
Reasons to Read
For the sheer determination and spirit that Sabari portrays. Her never give up attitude is very inspirational.
The book is a reminder that what we take for granted and don’t value much might be very precious for someone else who may not be able to afford it.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika Books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.