Bee reviewed Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar
Review of 'Ritu Weds Chandni' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This children's book is firstly absolutely stunning. The illustrations are made up of truly vibrant colours and drawn exquisitely and are worthy of being prints on a wall.
The story is one that is quite possibly a first of its kind as it's based on a same-sex marriage in India.
With same-sex marriages only recently being decriminalised in India I can only imagine how hard it will be for those couples to have their relationships and marriages accepted by both families and society as a whole. Which is why Ameya Narvankar's book is not only a beautiful thing to read to children, but a necessary one. It is those children who will hopefully alter the stigma that is same sex relationships.
If it's not apparent, I loved this book. When I chose it on Netgalley I wasn't aware of how beautiful the illustrations were but the subject matter called to …
This children's book is firstly absolutely stunning. The illustrations are made up of truly vibrant colours and drawn exquisitely and are worthy of being prints on a wall.
The story is one that is quite possibly a first of its kind as it's based on a same-sex marriage in India.
With same-sex marriages only recently being decriminalised in India I can only imagine how hard it will be for those couples to have their relationships and marriages accepted by both families and society as a whole. Which is why Ameya Narvankar's book is not only a beautiful thing to read to children, but a necessary one. It is those children who will hopefully alter the stigma that is same sex relationships.
If it's not apparent, I loved this book. When I chose it on Netgalley I wasn't aware of how beautiful the illustrations were but the subject matter called to me as acceptance is key to moving forward in life as a whole.
Narvankar's tale focuses on the acceptance that is found in love both familial and romantic. Through the determination of Ayesha's love for her cousin Ritu and that of Ritu's fiancée that the wedding party moves forward after what is, even in a children's book hard to see; the recriminations of strangers and police in their attempts to stop the wedding? We get to witness the simple and honest view that all of us should have. Love is love regardless of gender, age or race.
Ameya Narvankar's Ritu weds Chandni should find a home in every preschool, and in every home where a little one can be found. Books like this, I truly believe? Will help to end the bigotry, homophones and hypocrisy that still exists towards people who simply want to love the person they want in their lives.