January 22, 2002

IT’S difficult to find literature for children in Pakistan. And to find good literature is even more difficult. Amai’s wish is an illustrated book for children written against the backdrop of the September 11 crisis and the changing world afterwards. The author, Fauzia Aziz Minallah, is a sensitive and concerned mother of two, who believes in peace. This book is the first in the series of “Peace books”.

The story beautifully revolves around Amai, a bright shiny dove, who travels to the ‘Land of Plenty’ (here it means the US) to see her friends Ted, Eric and Sue and how all of them later bring smiles on the faces of two very sad little girls Mandy and Seema whose families have become victims of the 9/11 disaster.

The second part of the story is about Bibi, a little girl, who lives in the ‘Land of Hard Times’ (Afghanistan). The author then gives a graphic description of the poverty and hardship prevailing in the ‘Land of Hard Times’ and how the war unleashed on it by the ‘Land of Plenty’ is terrifying for Bibi and thousands of other innocent children. Amai wishes to bring happiness and peace in Bibi’s life too.

The story concludes on a note of love. “She (Amai) wished that she could make bright, shiny, pure hearts full of love and kindness. She wished she could give them to all those whose hearts were filled with hatred.” Amai wishes and teaches a lesson of love and patience to the young readers.

Quite a lot has been written on September 11 all over the world. This book is an enterprising attempt to answer the questions which many young children would be asking since no one could have escaped the traumatic news of the tragedy in this fast-paced world of the modem and the satellite/cable television. The explosion of information leaves a strong impression on the young minds and affects children’s psychology. Will this book satisfy the curiosity of the young ones of the age of 6-10 years? Its over-simplified approach may not fool the young readers who know much more than we assume.

 

Amai’s wish

By Fauzia Aziz Minallah

Minallah Entertainments, #319, Str. 58, F-10/3, Islamabad Tel: 051-2293411

Email: fauzya2000@yahoo.co.uk
 
24pp. Rs100

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