Look for the light

Updated On: 28 December, 2019 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Dalreen Ramos

That's what psychology professor Tanu Shree Singh hopes to convey in a new picture book that serves as a conversation starter on grief for kids

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While writing the story, the author had a clear vision about how she wanted the characters to be portrayed by US-based illustrator Sandhya Prabhat

In 19 pages, Tanu Shree Singh infuses umpteen possibilities. Her latest picture book titled Darkless (Puffin Books) revolves around a little boy named Ani. A quick glance at the first page is enough to tell you that he is going through something he can't quite articulate. He settles for one word — dark. While his dog enjoys sound sleep at night, Ani sleeps with his eyes wide open

And here's where illustrator Sandhya Prabhat introduces a black cloud that perpetually follows him. It is not only symbolic of the grief he carries with him everywhere he goes but portrays what darkness actually is — when you want to say nothing and each passing minute feels like 100 years of agony.