Book Review- Jhupli's Honey Box
Written by Achintyarup Ray
Illustrated by Shivam Choudhary
Published by Tulika Books
Ages 5+ yrs
Most childrens books are built on a similar trope - child faces difficulty → child suffers → child introspects → child finds solutions → child is winner! This book is a slightly more pragmatic take on this trope, where though the child does find a solution, she takes ‘help’ to bring it to fruition. Asking for help- is perhaps the most underrated topic, with most of us assuming that to be ‘successful’, we need to do it all, ourselves. But when the question is between life and death, I think some leeway is essential.
Jhupli’s baba travels everyday across the river into the dense forests of the Sundarbans to collect honey. This is their livelihood and even though it’s fraught with dangers, there is nothing else which can help them sustain. This treacherous journey leaves Jhupli with a lot of anxiety where she is constantly worried about his safety.
Jhupli’s idea of installing honey bee boxes which would help in easy collection and harvesting of honey is great on paper, but there is only so much she can do to make it a reality. She takes the help of her teacher who in turn reaches out to the powers that be to make these honey bee boxes a reality.
This is a sensitive read into the lives of a community which is hardly noticed if ever and their tragic circumstances rarely reported. This is a reminder to spare a thought for the people who make it possible to enjoy these little things sometimes at the cost of their lives.
The illustrations are done well, and the moody palette which changes with Jhupli’s angst and anxiety is well portrayed. Ideal for ages 5+ years.
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