Sonam’s Ladakh!
by Manish Lakhani
“Sonam’s Ladakh!” by Manish Lakhani. Published by Katha. A photo story narrated by a girl belonging to the Changpa tribe about her life in Ladakh.
Sonam is studying in class 5 in school. She also looks after her family’s pashmina goats. She belongs to the Changpa tribe who are wandering shepherds. She talks about herself, her community and the region they inhabit. She takes us around Ladakh and gives a glimpse into the lives of the people there. The author has clicked lots of vibrant pictures in Ladakh and used these to portray the beautiful and magical landscape of Ladakh as well as its people.
The natural beauty of Ladakh is a treat to the eyes and makes this book a perfect introduction to the region for children. We also get to realise the difference in the thinking of the people there and the difficulties that the terrain poses for them. Sonam also talks about some of the animals which are found there. Effectively this is like a simple coffee table book about Ladakh for children.
My 7.5 year old has been reading this book for almost a year now. He had already read and loved a few stories set in Ladakh such as “Thukpa For All”, “Chuskit Goes to School!”, “Bumboo...The Donkey who would not Budge” and “The Ghost of the Mountains”. But this book gave him an even better understanding of the region through real images. He is now keen to go on that pending trip to Ladakh sometime sooner than later.
Like most books by Katha, this book too has a few pages at the end with facts about the Changpas and activities. Awareness about the melting glaciers of Ladakh due to pollution and what we can do to contribute our bit to reducing this is something that is talked about. Thank you Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow for recommending this lovely book!
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 5/6+.
Reasons to Read
Story books for children which use real pictures are not common. That too, this is from a region as beautiful as Ladakh. This is reason enough to introduce our children to this book.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Katha here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.