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Mamta Nainy
Sadiq Wants to Stitch
by: Mamta NainySadiq loves stitching colourful patterns on rugs. However, his Ammi reminds him that boys in his community don’t stitch, they tend to the livestock. But Sadiq is determined to pursue his passion.This winsome tale that defies gender norms and talks about a fading shepherd craft of Kashmir, is beautifully written by Mamta Nainy, and illustrated through watercolour vistas by renowned artist Niloufer Wadia.
ISBN: 9788193388914
Publisher: Karadi Tales
Publish Date:
Page Count:
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The Clever TailorRupa Ram is a famous but poor tailor with an unfulfilled dream – to stitch something for his own family. So, when he receives a gift of a brand new saafa, he is inspired to do just that! At the heart of this touching tale is a generous man who uses his imagination and creativity to do right by his family. With delightful illustrations by Nayantara Surendranath, this book is Srividhya Venkat’s charming Indian adaptation of a European folktale.
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Thukpa for AllTsering can’t wait to taste his grandmother’s delicious noodle soup. He invites a string of friends and neighbours home, and soon, a meal for two snowballs into a large, festive event. But as preparations get underway, there is a power cut and the house is plunged into darkness. Will Abi be able to put together the much-anticipated thukpa? Told from a blind child’s perspective, this tale by Praba Ram and Sheela Preuitt is set in a close-knit community in Ladakh. Accompanied by Shilpa Ranade’s stunning illustrations, this is a story that’s warm and delectable, much like Abi’s thukpa.
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Neel on WheelsNeel’s wheelchair transforms itself to fight dragons and monsters and chase away scary creatures of the night.
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Sera Learns to FlySera is an ant. Like the rest of the ants, she too picks and stacks crumbs, scurries through routes, and helps mend doors. Sera climbs walls and looks after baby ants, too.
However, when all is quiet, Sera climbs to the top of her ant hill and looks at the sky.
For Sera has a dream: she wants to fly.
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I Need To PeeRahi simply loves slurping refreshing drinks, and so she always needs to pee. On her way to her aunt’s house in Meghalaya, she has to pee on a train as well as stop at a hotel, and even visit the really scary public toilet at the bus depot! When those around her refuse to help her with her troubles, her only saviour is her Book of Important Quotes.
Travel with the cheeky Rahi and read all about her adventures in this quirky and vibrant book about the ever-relevant worry of having a safe and clean toilet experience.
Diya Shetty, Grade 6A –
This is a great book, as it conveys a strong and meaningful message. It is about a boy who is told to do activities that are meant to be done by boys, but he goes for what he is passionate about- stitching. The end of the book is very happy as the society finally accepts him as his true self and recognises his talent for stitching. This book conveys the message on gender stereotypes. I liked the illustrations of the book, especially the cloth that Sadiq stitches.
Meghna Ganesh, Grade 7A –
I absolutely love this book, even though it is a short picture book. It conveys the importance of abolishing gender stereotypes in our society. The story is about a young boy named Sadiq who wants to stitch. But when he comes home from watching the sheep graze, his mom tells him that stitching is meant for girls. She says, “Have you ever seen any other boy in our community stitch?”, and so, Sadiq stitches in secret. One day, when his mom is in need of a new embroidered piece, Sadiq takes out his work and shows it to the world. Soon, even his mother accepts him as a boy who can stitch, and teaches him ways to work on his skills better.
The illustrations in this book are one that bring out the life in each character, from a small bird on a tree to a lamb in the grass. I feel the illustrations, are such that, without it the book would be a short shallow read, but with these pictures you can visualize the story realistically, even if we haven’t faced such challenges in our lives, as the pictures make life look, easy and light.I feel this is also due to the pastel colour scheme that adds a very light feel to the book.
As mentioned in the book, “Ammi sometimes guided him on how to move his fingers to get the stitches nice and neat.” I feel that each child will only turn out like Sadiq if they have the correct mentor to guide them on the way. This short story by Mamta Nainy and Niloufer Wadia taught me that even if I’m a girl I can do everything a boy can do as well.