Stories of Forests from India for Children by Katie Bagli. Published in 2024 by Shree Book Centre, 8 Kakad Industrial Estate, S. Keer Marg, off L. J. Road, Matunga (W), Bombay 400016, email: sales@shreebookcentre,com, website: www.shreebookcentre.com. Pp: 152. Price: Rs 399.
Children’s author and nature writer Katie Bagli has combined her two passions in Stories of Forests from India for Children, which follows her earlier book Stories of Trees from India for Children.
Each of the 18 chapters is based on a particular forest in India: touching on its geography, historical facts, mythological mysteries and interesting features of wildlife. She also writes about the ethnic tribes in forests who know how to live sustainably and in harmony with the plants and animals there. But our forests are shrinking at an alarming rate and this book endeavors to motivate its young readers to do their bit to conserve our natural wealth.
Katie Bagli: understanding nature
Among the several forests she has dwelt on are those in Orissa, Assam, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a city forest in Maharashtra and the unique wetlands habitat of West Bengal’s Sunderbans.
The book "touches upon most of India’s ecosystems and the flora and fauna found in each,” writes Kedar Gore, director of The Corbett Foundation in the Foreword. As one who conducts nature trails, Bagli has "visited many of the protected areas in India, some of which are featured in this book. She has in-depth understanding of the natural world which she effortlessly weaves into engrossing stories with a moral that leave the reader with a strong conservation message,” Gore notes.
The print used is suitable for young readers, the paper glossy with many color illustrations and a glossary.
SHERENE VAKIL