Welcome to the Forest
by Bhavna Menon and illustrated by Kavita Singh Kale
“Welcome to the Forest” by Bhavna Menon and illustrated by Kavita Singh Kale. Published by Pratham. A story based on a true event of a camp organised in Kanha Tiger Reserve for visually impaired children of a school from Jabalpur.
The story starts off with little Tulsa who wishes to visit a forest. Her excitement knows no bounds when Khare Chacha who is a senior forest official invites her with a few other girls to visit Kanha Tiger Reserve. A four hour journey on the bus brings them to their destination for a night and a day.
How the little girls enjoy the forest and it’s wildlife has been described beautifully by the author. Nowhere is it mentioned that the girls are visually impaired. The job is left to the illustrations which have done it perfectly. In the end, there is a note which confirms the fact.
Even though they can’t see, the girls use their other senses like smell, touch and hearing abilities to the best. In their own unique ways, they experience the forest and its surroundings. They enjoy their time at the camp and wish to come back again.
My seven year old who loves true stories enjoyed reading this book and was amazed when he realised that the girls couldn’t see. He wanted to go through the illustrations again to confirm. He was happy to know more about Kanha which had been mentioned in the book on Panna called “Our Tigers Return” which we read recently. Thank you Vidya Mani for recommending this lovely book in one of Funky Rainbow’s buzzaars! The book is level 3 and apt for children aged 7+. It can be read online on storyweaver here.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Pratham Books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.