When Bholu Came Back

by Kavitha Punniyamurthi and illustrated by Niloufer Wadia

“When Bholu Came Back” by Kavitha Punniyamurthi and illustrated by Niloufer Wadia. Published by Tulika. A heartwarming story of a camel named Bholu and his master Beni Ram from the Thar desert. 

Beni Ram was sadly walking back from the camel fair. He had just sold his camel Bholu. He heard a sound and turned around to see that Bholu was coming back towards him and the man who had bought him was running behind trying to catch him. Beni Ram had been trying to sell his camel Bholu. But Bholu came back to him each time refusing to go with the buyer. And this was the fifth time that Bholu had returned.

Beni Ram was sad as he was not getting a job any longer to drive a camel cart. With the vans replacing camel carts in their village, he felt that his services were not needed any longer. Bholu was so loyal to Beni Ram that he didn’t want to leave him and go to someone else. What else could Beni Ram do being out of work? But fate had something else in store for Bholu and Beni Ram. An unexpected opportunity knocked at their door. What was this opportunity? Did it make them happy? Did Bholu end up staying with Beni Ram?

The beautiful illustrations bring to life the lovely landscape of the desert and the colours of Rajasthan. Bholu’s expressions are charming. The bond between Beni Ram and Bholu has been portrayed so well. The end of something also means the beginning of a new thing. 

Loved reading this with my (then) six year old. The book won awards such as South Asia Book Award in 2017 and The London Book Fair Award in 2019. Apt for 4+ year olds. Thank you Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow for recommending this beautiful book!

Where to buy from?

1. The publishers Tulika books here.

2. An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.