The Why-Why Girl

All over India there are children, tribal and non-tribal, who always ask the question 'Why?’ I have seen many children like this, and I have selected Moyna's experience for this book.

"I have been very close to the tribal’s, especially in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Gujarat. In these tribal belts, which are generally hilly, schools are far away. You have to cross many low hills and walk five to six kilo metres to reach the schools. High schools are at least ten kilo metres away and there are no roads.

It is difficult for teachers to reach pupils and for pupils to reach teachers.

"Moyna is a Shabar. The Shabar samiti started in 1968. Till date it has set up many schools. They are increasingly doing better.

The books are better, the facilities are better.

"1 has found that because tribal children are close to nature in mind, it is easy to explain things scientifically to them. They truly love nature. In writing about Moyna, I have written about so many children. And I write because I love children."

Mahasweta Devi is one of India's foremost writers. When she writes, she uses all her "reading, memories, direct experience and queried information", and always raises issues of politics, gender and class. This is her. first picture book.

**Contents and Sample Pages**