India
Girls Want Azadi
By Kamla Bhasin, Shrujana Shridhar (Illustrator)
Girls Want Azadi. Kamla Bhasin. Translated by the author. Illustrated by Shrujana Shridhar. Pratham Books, 2021. Alternative title: Girls Also Want Azadi. Originally published in Hindi, in India. ISBN 9789390968756. 22 p. (Ages 9 and up). Poetry.
Written in a poetic style and illustrated in hand-painted gouache artwork, this book talks about the importance of understanding the fundamental rights granted by the Indian constitution especially to young girls and women. An empowering tale based on the original story, Betiya bhi chahe Azadi, in Hindi written by the author, it touches upon the gender equality for all women. Would pair with Dear Mrs. Naidu by Mathangi Subramanian. Kamla Bhasin is a feminist and development activist, closely linked to the women's movement. She passed away in 2021 in Delhi, India. This is a read-aloud video of the book. [mi]
Shaheen Bagh: A Graphic Recollection
By Ita Mehrotra
Shaheen Bagh: A Graphic Recollection. Ita Mehrotra. Yoda Press, 2021. First published in India. ISBN 9789382579786. 127 p. (Ages 10 and up). Graphic Novel.
A graphic account of the political sit-in led by Muslim women that started in Delhi in December 2019 and lasted till March 2020, just before the pandemic. With powerful illustrations this book is an iconic portrayal of women’s protest against the government. Would pair with Girls Want Azadi by Kamla Bhasin. The author is a visual artist, arts researcher, and educator living in New Delhi. She is currently the head of Community Arts for Artreach India, a non profit organization that helps young people, children, and women from marginalized communities across India. Listen to the podcast interview with the author on YouTube. [mi]