When Fairyland Lost Its Magic
MY THOUGHTS
At first glance, the title of the book and the cover do not scream Climate fiction. But, trust me when I tell you, if you are a parent struggling to explain climate change to your child, pick this book up now! Written by a prominent authority on cli-fi in India, Bijal Vachharajani and the ever-brilliant Rajiv Eipe, this is a book that is a must-have in every household.
When Fairyland Lost Its Magic is about what happens when the reality of climate change hits our favourite fairy tale characters. The duo bring out everyone from fairyland – imagine Rapunzel not being able to dry her long hair out the window or living in a Disenchanted, not a forest where the big bad wolf had no tree to hide behind! Everyone from Snow White to Cinderella is affected, and it’s time to take action if we want our favourite fairyland characters to survive!
Enter the teens Hansel and Gretel with an idea.
Any book that thinks out of the set mould we design for kids is welcome, but this book, in particular, works because of its innumerable quirks. Talking to children about climate change through the language of fairytales allows young readers to connect the stories they heard when they were much younger to the reality they are living in. Adding an element of positivity by showing the need for action and the major role children play in that has always been the way Bijal likes to structure her stories, as she mentioned to me on an episode of Tell Me A Story.
I truly loved the Indianisation of the fairytales, and yes, Baby Bear, I love payasam as much as you do. Read the book for the story and then read it again for the illustrations because that’s how intricate, detailed and gorgeous they are. My favourite is the human chain!
This is a book that is so relevant to kids today. The climate crisis is something children learn about even at school, but through this book, the message hits home and doesn’t even feel like learning! This is also a book children will revisit multiple times, as it is not a book you can get tired of reading. There is always a new nuance to pick up or reflect on. Could a case be made for a better book?
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
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