In Bon Bibi's Forest

The series OUR MYTHS draws upon timeless stories from popular and marginal sources to gently question stereotypes and rigid notions. Through pictures and words, the retold stories encourage different ways of seeing and understanding. They carry forward the spirit of oral storytelling and show how myths change and still endure.

The quiet villages of Sundarban are terrorised by a monster with wild eyes, sharp teeth, striped skin and pointed nails - Dokkhin Rai! Until finally, Bon Bibi, protector of the forests and people asks him a simple question: Why do you do this?

The answer to this question is central to the age-old theme of human-animal harmony that has inspired many stories, including this one. Set in a lesser known part of Bengal, the lush and mysterious Sundarban, the textured narrative and dramatic, detailed illustrations evoke the distinct culture of the place - the natural confluence of Hindu and Muslim mythologies, and the rhythm and concerns of everyday life at the edge of a forest.

SANDHYA RAO works as Editor, Tulika Publishers, Chennai. One of the finest writers for children in India today, she has written over 25 books - including the bestselling Ekki Dokki and Picture Gandhi - some of which have won international awards. She loves the sound of words in different languages, and considers herself lucky to have had the opportunity to meet children in India and other countries, to share thoughts about ideas and stories and books.

PROITI ROY's illustrations have delighted readers all over the world. Her nuanced sense of form and colour touch an emotional chord both within the world of the story and the world of the reader. Among her acclaimed books are The Enchanted Saarang, Ismat's Eid, The Snow King's Daughter, What Shall I Make?, Putul and the Dolphins and Gulla and the Hangul. She lives in Chennai and when she is not painting, she is mothering dogs.