Where Is Goggayya?
MY THOUGHTS
Where is Goggayya? takes you back to a time in your childhood when your parents would get you to do things by calling the boogeyman. Every culture has its own version of the boogeyman, and this story is from a small town in Karnataka.
In this book, Putti’s family members call on Goggayya, a mysterious figure, to get Putti to finish her meals, go to sleep, or even if they want her to play nicely with her dolls. But Putti doesn’t know what Goggayya looks like, so how can she know who she needs to watch out for? She looks at strange dark figures around her and asks her brother if Goggayya looks like any of them, but her brother doesn’t seem to recognise Goggayya either! Will Putti ever find out what Goggayya looks like, and will her brother help her?
This story feels like every child who has ever had the boogeyman called on them should read it. It is a playful, spooky book that engages children in a visual hunt of where Goggayya is hiding, keeping them guessing until the end if he will jump out of a corner to scare Putti! Putti tries to imagine what Goggayya looks like, but there is no one who can point him out to her. The book ends in a delightfully playful moment between brother and sister, and that instantly lightens the tension in the read-aloud.
Gitanjali Iyer’s illustrations are so beautiful. The whole book is primarily in blacks, browns, and dark greens, creating a mysterious vibe. I loved the perplexed expressions on Putti’s face every time someone mentions Goggayya! She adds tiny pops of detail like the grass mats and food items, showcasing the region the story is from. I also loved the pop of eeriness and tension she creates with the pair of eyes watching in the darkness. The colour palette, minimal illustrations, and framing create a scary yet playful vibe. I also liked that the text does not cut any part of the illustrations.
This is a beautiful and evocative book for young readers that allows them to face and voice their fears in a gentle, playful manner. Definitely a book you must add to your bookshelf.
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