Visit the Bhil Carnival

by Gita Wolf, Subhash Amaliyar (Illustrations), Catriona Maciver (Design)

Each year, people of the Bhil tribe from Madhya Pradesh in central India celebrate a wonderful carnival called Bhagoria. Subhash Amaliyar, Bhil artist, paints the carnival in his traditional style. Collaborating with him are writer Gita Wolf, and designers Catriona Maciver and Oliver Mayes – who turn his joyous rendering of celebration into an interactive children’s book.

Genres: India, Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture/board book book with text about the carnival, nice art work.

[Tanvi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great intention and I loved the design, but I really think they could have done better with the story and made it smarter. I would not particularly buy this for my nephews.

[Ed Goodbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sujata Noronha reviews the book on www.goodbooks.in: "When I hear of a Tara book, my expectation levels climb. Tara Books, now renowned for over seventeen years to give voice to uncommon visual arts and communities, has done this to me. Every publication of theirs results in a sharp intake of breath... about possibilities from the book as a medium in itself and then the art and the content.

Visit the Bhil Carnival sits right within my expectation of Tara Books. I caught a hint of the die-cut holes I marvelled at in I Saw a Peacock with a Fiery Tale (another wonderful Tara publication) and I was immediately in the book. This is one book that you get ‘in’ to, almost immediately. A book within a book and so visually captivating that your eyes and mind dance all over the spreads." Click here to read the full review: http://goodbooks.in/node/7119

[Joy Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully designed and illustrated book. It's part pop-up, part map, and all delight. The art by Suhash Amaliyar is colorful and joyous. I reviewed it on my blog, where you can see pictures of the fold out and structure of the book http://www.joycorcoran.com/2015/07/a-...

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A double-gatefold map opens flat to display a pop-up Ferris wheel and other attractions at an annual festival held in the central Indian province of Madhya Pradesh. A booklet inset at the corner describes the route that excited young visitors Neela and his little sister Peela take, but it can also be traced looking at labels on the map. A beautifully designed and illustrated book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A map, pop-ups, and a small booklet take readers to a central Indian carnival called Bhagoria. Readers may enjoy following Neela and Peela as they move from spot to spot in the carnival, enjoying foods, rides, and sights. The illustrations are rendered in a traditional artistic style typical for the particular region in which the book is set.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story because I do like stories from other cultures. But I definitely didn't love the writing. Or the illustrations.