We have been long time admirers of writer-author-editor-environment crusader Bijal Vachharajani’s words. And so, it gives us immense pleasure to have her talk about Boo! When My Sister Died in this insightful feature at scroll.in on how bereavement and grief is finally being talked about in books for children in India. She writes:
“In it, the protagonist Noorie’s sister dies and the world, as the girl knows it, changes. As Noorie yearns for Zoya’s return, Jha and Benegal unspool a story about coming to terms with the loss of a loved one. Like a child talking, the book is often straight and direct: “That night my sister Zoya was away at the hospital, I dreamt of her. The next morning Mummy said Zoya was dead. I cried.” And yet, the picture book ends on a note of hope.”
The beautiful poignantly haunting illustration of the child and her pet standing alone at the top of the hill is by Gautam Benegal from Boo! When My Sister Died.