Where I Belong
MY THOUGHTS
Have you noticed how difficult it is to talk to our children about change? Giggles (almost 11) brought home a school project. It was on Mumbai’s Coastal Road Project — a polarizing topic! Giggles was confused after all the research. He couldn’t identify with the stakeholders and had no idea who was involved. That’s exactly when we sat down to read Nandita Da Cunha’s latest book, Where I Belong.
Where I Belong is about Meera, a girl from the Koliwada (fishing) community who lives by the sea and studies in the city. She loves both her worlds and is surrounded by family and friends. She notices that the construction of a high-rise building right by her Koliwada is causing her family — her Aaji and parents — much anxiety. She is forced to drop out of school and help out at home. Meera understands action needs to be taken soon, or else her beloved home and Koliwada will vanish.
Da Cunha’s book highlights the Koliwada community, who are an intrinsic part of the fabric of Mumbai but are seldom spoken about. Through this book, we get a peek into their lives, the people they are, the areas they call home, their culture and festivals, and their close association with the sea. As with her hugely successful earlier book, The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street, she allows the reader to assess the situation from a child’s perspective and come to their own conclusion.
We are huge fans of Kripa, and in this book too, she fills the pages with colour and brings forth the vibrancy of the community. The bright colours of the Koli community are set against the grey tones of the builders, and this in itself told the entire story for me. Each page comes alive with detail and draws you into the heart of the story.
The author-illustrator duo has created a book on a subject they are clearly passionate about. This book will initiate conversations; be prepared for it. These books are so important for children growing up at the crossroads of development and preservation. Stories like these help them understand what is at stake and guide them towards forming an opinion by knowing all the facts. Told from a child’s perspective, this brings the issue down to a level they can understand without overwhelming them with facts.
Definitely add this one to your child’s library today!
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
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