Down by the Mangroves by Sheela Preuitt and Praba Ram
My take on the book:
Moyna lives with her parents in Barsaapur, the mangrove delta of the Sunderbans, and studies in fifth grade at the Uttama Siksa School, which is located two miles away from her village. Life in the mangroves is fun for Moyna as she wakes up to the natural alarm of the Kalatopi Kingfisher, plays with her two baby goats Rani and Mishti, walks to school with her best friend Sumi, and occasionally goes bird watching with her Baba. Moyna is the brightest student in her class who answers all her teachers’ questions promptly and with logic.
Most elders in the mangroves survive through fishing or collection of honey during the off season; however the mangroves have threats in the form of crocodiles and tigers waiting for their human prey. The villagers believe Bonbibi protects them from such predators and risk their lives for their livelihood. When her father suddenly goes missing in the deep jungle, Moyna’s world experiences a profound, devastating shift. How Moyna finds the strength to overcome this grief is the heart of the story.
The story is not just set against the backdrop of the Sundarbans and the mangroves, they are the soul of the story as the authors transport the readers. The sensory writing captures the true pulse of India’s mangrove forests with the squelch of the mud, the tidal shifts and the looming presence of the wilderness. The setting itself acts like a central character, illustrating both magnificent beauty and inherent danger. The authors also describe every mood of the weather round the year in the Sunderbans, along with the local festivals and melas.
Writing about the loss of a parent for middle grade audience requires an incredibly delicate touch, and the authors handle it with profound empathy. Moyna’s grief isn’t rushed or neatly fixed. Instead, the book honors the slow, non linear process of healing, proving to young readers that it is okay to feel sad while simultaneously letting laughter return, bit by bit. The story also gently teaches young minds about ecological balance without ever feeling preachy or academic.
Overall, this is an essential read as a comforting companion for any child dealing with big emotions, and a beautiful eye opener for anyone looking to understand the intersection of community, nature, and resilience.
My rating:
5/5.