CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITING & ILLUSTRATION
2019
EDUCATION, POLITICAL HEALING, EMPATHY
The Journey to the Other Side of the River
A children’s storybook to educate South Asian children about the Indo-Pak conflict with empathy.
The Need
In 1947, the British colonial rule ended in South Asia and one land was divided into two countries, India and Pakistan. Millions of people died during the riotous Partition and around 20 million were displaced. Despite the shared trauma between the two countries, modern-day narratives employed to educate the youth about the history of the Partition can be divisive. Mainstream education can end up fueling the current political tension. There exists much potential in educating the youth about South Asian history in an empathy-focused and humanity-driven manner so that the generations of tomorrow don’t repeat the mistakes of today.
The Solution
I created a children’s book that presents an unbiased narrative that could replace politically charged teachings about this important chapter in South Asian history. I used anthropomorphism to represent the countries of India and Pakistan as twin dolphins who are separated by a dam, which represents the border. This book is meant to be educational in that the dialogue between the two characters evokes the conflict that caused the separation in 1947, but does not place blame on either entity. Instead, it is meant to subtly and metaphorically depict the tragedy as it happened while being empathetic towards both sides.
My Role
I researched, crafted, wrote, illustrated and designed the final book with feedback from fellow South Asian peers and experts. I referred to history and social science textbooks in Indian and Pakistani curricula, and interviewed South Asian individuals on how they were educated on the Partition and how their personal opinions on it changed through the years. I also took a class on Children’s Book & Illustration to understand the nuances of storytelling for children. I am in the process of creating a Part II, where after a long separation they are reunited. My goal is to publish the two parts and distribute them to bookstores across South Asia and beyond.
Process
I used several symbols throughout the book that make the characters identifiable as metaphors for India and Pakistan; for example, their accessories are symbols lifted from the respective flags.
I also translated the book into Hindi and Urdu, the most commonly spoken languages of both countries, so as to make the book more accessible.
My goals were to understand what teaching patriotism with kindness looks like, how to address personal and collective pain, and finally to deconstruct the concept of the “other”.
Future
I am in the process of writing the second part of this story, in which the twin dolphins reunite, acting as a symbol of hope and political harmony. My aim is to publish these books and have it be available for young children in South Asia to read in their school libraries or with their parents at bedtime.