<p>You know a book is a hit with your child if she finds a special place for it after it is read. You know the book is a smashing hit when she keeps the book in its newly-allotted ‘special’ place and runs back for a bear hug. </p>.<p>Meant for children aged five and above, this stunningly illustrated and movingly written book about a boy who is not finding joy in anything made my six-year-old sad, anxious, curious, happy and thoughtful — all at once. It is the story of little Ani who is shown to be clouded by darkness — quite literally. Nope, neither ice-cream, nor chocolate can dispel his darkness (much to the astonishment of its young reader).</p>.<p>School does not interest him and his Nani’s efforts at bringing a smile on her beloved grandson’s face flop spectacularly. What is making Ani so sad? Why has everything in his world lost its colour? </p>.<p>Without revealing the story, let’s just say the book deals with issues that sorely need dealing with — how to handle children who are hurting from the inside, how to let children be, how to build empathy, and most importantly, how to deal with love, disease and separation. </p>.<p>The denouement, when it eventually comes, is as tender as the dust fairies that waft past a (finally) happy and relieved Ani. As Ani’s ma tells him, “as long as you let others love you, you will be okay.” </p>.<p>And that’s partly how Ani’s world becomes dark-less. </p>
<p>You know a book is a hit with your child if she finds a special place for it after it is read. You know the book is a smashing hit when she keeps the book in its newly-allotted ‘special’ place and runs back for a bear hug. </p>.<p>Meant for children aged five and above, this stunningly illustrated and movingly written book about a boy who is not finding joy in anything made my six-year-old sad, anxious, curious, happy and thoughtful — all at once. It is the story of little Ani who is shown to be clouded by darkness — quite literally. Nope, neither ice-cream, nor chocolate can dispel his darkness (much to the astonishment of its young reader).</p>.<p>School does not interest him and his Nani’s efforts at bringing a smile on her beloved grandson’s face flop spectacularly. What is making Ani so sad? Why has everything in his world lost its colour? </p>.<p>Without revealing the story, let’s just say the book deals with issues that sorely need dealing with — how to handle children who are hurting from the inside, how to let children be, how to build empathy, and most importantly, how to deal with love, disease and separation. </p>.<p>The denouement, when it eventually comes, is as tender as the dust fairies that waft past a (finally) happy and relieved Ani. As Ani’s ma tells him, “as long as you let others love you, you will be okay.” </p>.<p>And that’s partly how Ani’s world becomes dark-less. </p>