By Soyra Gune
What’s Neema Eating Today by Bijal Vachharajani, published by Pratham Books, is a fun and colourful ode to the indigenous fruits and vegetables of India. Intended to encourage both parents and children to be more knowledgeable about crops which are naturally grown and available in the country, the book explores the various crops grown through summer, monsoon, and winter.
The book’s author has previously worked on international movements related to climate change issues. This book makes apparent her love for cooking (her sumptuous-sounding recipes for the Indian Express include one for a totapuri aamras cheesecake) with indigenous produce, and highlights her commitment to sustainable development. Her other work includes So You Want To Know About The Environment, a non-fiction book for children about the environment.
Priya Kuriyan, the illustrator, is known for her eye-catching illustrations of children’s literature in India and her work in What’s Neema Eating Today is a perfect example of how her artwork creates enriching and engaging experiences for children.
We say go and hunt down the book, and learn about all the veggies and fruits you didn’t know were grown in the country.