Salim Mamoo and Me
by Zai Whitaker and illustrated by Prabha Mallya
“Salim Mamoo and Me” by Zai Whitaker and illustrated by Prabha Mallya. Published by Tulika. A delightful recollection of a bird filled yesteryear’s Bombay and a little girl with a superstar uncle having problems of her own.
Six year old Zai’s uncle is Dr. Salim Ali who is the famous bird man of India. Not only him, everyone else in her family is a bird expert. She feels left out as she struggles with the bird names and identifying them. She can’t pay attention to the birds as she feels that all her attention is taken by her school. But doesn’t want to admit it to anyone. She finds it embarrassing that only she is the odd man out in her family. She feels that everyone will make fun of her if they get to know. So she keeps pretending that she can’t see the bird when someone points one and seeks her help to identify it.
Salim mamoo starts taking groups of people every Sunday on bird watching trips near Bombay. Zai starts getting bugged. Her weekends are gone and she starts hating birds. Can she keep hiding the fact that she has a problem? Will someone find out? What happens when the family gets to know? Will they help her? Will Zai ever get interested in birds? Is her problem such a big one after all?
My seven year old has loved reading this book over the last one year. Zai Whitaker has written quite a few books but this one is extra special given that it is a recollection of her own childhood. We get to know another side of Salim Ali. The illustrations are brilliant and make the story come alive. Thank you Vidya for recommending this gem of a book! The book is apt for anyone aged 6+.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.