What’s the Point of Kiki?

MY THOUGHTS

Think of a pet, and the mind instantly goes to a cute little puppy or kitten. ‘What’s the Point of Kiki?’ takes that thought and turns it on its head. Nisha’s mother, a Vet, brings home an injured crow and calls it Kiki. She nurses it back to health and cares for it, and soon he becomes a third member of their home, much to Nisha’s chagrin.

Nisha can’t understand what all the fuss is about. Kiki doesn’t cuddle, he doesn’t fetch, but Ma still fusses and coos over him. Kiki even gets away with things Nisha could never get away with! Ma is spending too much time with him, and Nisha doesn’t like it. She decides Kiki needs to go. But when she comes home the next day and finds Kiki in trouble, something comes over Nisha. Will she learn to love Kiki the crow, like Ma wants? Or will Kiki have to leave Nisha’s home?

This is a simple story with so many layers. It speaks of sibling rivalry, insecurity, and empathy towards animals. The title of the book poses the issue as a big, philosophical question, and readers will get a laugh out of it. Nandita Da Cunha nudges readers to look at a messy, noisy crow through empathetic eyes and shows readers how loving and caring for a living creature can be so beautiful and rewarding. She builds Nisha’s frustration to a point where the reader can feel her anger through the story.

Rishita Loitongbam’s illustrations are evocative and bring alive Nisha’s frustrations. Her illustrations of Kiki humanise the crow, with his big, expressive eyes and playful smirk. I also enjoyed the illustrations of the whiny neighbours and busybodies and of the unflappable mother.

This is a lovely picture book to read aloud to young children, and then have conversations about feelings like jealousy and insecurity. Definitely can see this book being used to start so many meaningful conversations.