Thatha At School

Young Gagan who is at ease being what he is: quiet, gentle, sensitive, animal and book lover. And he loves Bingo, his bear. He often gets teased for his softness and visible lack of machoism. His family and friends think of him as being not boy enough, and want to make him more boy-like. But he has enough tricks up his sleeve to show the world that there are no boy-boys or unboy-boys. Just boys. And just girls.

Gender stereotyping has strong under currents in the social fabric of India and in many cultures around the world. Richa Jha tackles this difficult subject with unburdening simplicity and lightness of tone. Gautam Benegal brings the characters to life with sensitivity and electrifying dynamism. His gentle and endearing water colours match the mood and pace of the story, making it an unforgettable read.