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Darkless
On a night when the moon shone and the little specks of light danced on the ceiling, Ani lay awake. 'It's dark,' he said.
Everything has turned dark in Ani's life. Dobby, Nani, friends - he has them all by his side. But he pulls away from them.
Will Ani ever find his way out of the darkness?
Everything has turned dark in Ani's life. Dobby, Nani, friends - he has them all by his side. But he pulls away from them.
Will Ani ever find his way out of the darkness?
32 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 28, 2020
This book is, quite contradictory to its title, NOT DARKLESS.
The blurb says:
“Everything has turned dark in Ani’s life.
Dobby, Nani, friends- he has them all by his side.
But he pulls away from them.
Will Ani ever find his way out of the darkness?”
Let me be very honest and tell you that this review has some spoilers because I didn’t know how to discuss the matter without revealing some critical parts of the story. Besides, since this book is for children, I think parents reading spoilers is still a bit okay.
Now that THAT’s out of the way, let’s get down to business.
Ani, a little boy, is going through a phase in his life where everything seems dark and he cannot see any colours. His Nani wants to help him, his friends want to play with him, but nothing seems to make the darkness go away until the one person he longs for comes back.
It’s a pretty short book and I’m sure this review has more words than the prose, but it’s a very hard-hitting subject, and it made me realise CHILDREN CAN BE DEPRESSED TOO. When they come face to face with a major, unexpected life event like a severely sick parent, as in the case of this book, they too can go through extreme sadness. THAT combined with their limited ability to express and handle such heavy emotions can take them to a dark place.
The reading level for this book is 5-8 years, but I would suggest you evaluate your child’s emotional maturity and introduce this book to them whenever YOU THINK they are ready to absorb and appreciate such a delicate matter.
But as a parent, I feel every adult who closely deals with children - parents, teachers, caregivers, other family members who live with the child - should all be aware that children aren’t immune to depression and learn about how they can make the child feel loved and understood.
At the same time, once the child himself/herself is older, the message from the book can become extremely valuable to them too, and help them deal with their own feelings if they ever have to face such demons.
It’s a very short story, but extremely poignant, and of course has a happy ending, because it is for children, but at the same time, it has a strong message albeit conveyed through a very dark story.
The blurb says:
“Everything has turned dark in Ani’s life.
Dobby, Nani, friends- he has them all by his side.
But he pulls away from them.
Will Ani ever find his way out of the darkness?”
Let me be very honest and tell you that this review has some spoilers because I didn’t know how to discuss the matter without revealing some critical parts of the story. Besides, since this book is for children, I think parents reading spoilers is still a bit okay.
Now that THAT’s out of the way, let’s get down to business.
Ani, a little boy, is going through a phase in his life where everything seems dark and he cannot see any colours. His Nani wants to help him, his friends want to play with him, but nothing seems to make the darkness go away until the one person he longs for comes back.
It’s a pretty short book and I’m sure this review has more words than the prose, but it’s a very hard-hitting subject, and it made me realise CHILDREN CAN BE DEPRESSED TOO. When they come face to face with a major, unexpected life event like a severely sick parent, as in the case of this book, they too can go through extreme sadness. THAT combined with their limited ability to express and handle such heavy emotions can take them to a dark place.
The reading level for this book is 5-8 years, but I would suggest you evaluate your child’s emotional maturity and introduce this book to them whenever YOU THINK they are ready to absorb and appreciate such a delicate matter.
But as a parent, I feel every adult who closely deals with children - parents, teachers, caregivers, other family members who live with the child - should all be aware that children aren’t immune to depression and learn about how they can make the child feel loved and understood.
At the same time, once the child himself/herself is older, the message from the book can become extremely valuable to them too, and help them deal with their own feelings if they ever have to face such demons.
It’s a very short story, but extremely poignant, and of course has a happy ending, because it is for children, but at the same time, it has a strong message albeit conveyed through a very dark story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2020
Childhood on one hand is filled with fun, frolic and laughter and on the other with the terror of monsters under the bed and the fear of grappling the world outside.
What makes kids feel safe and sheltered is the love around them.
Darkless written by Tanu Shree Singh with beautiful, poignant illustrations by Sandhya Prabhat is a children’s book that follows the journey of little Ani, through the sadness he feels until he rediscovers his light.
The book follows Ani through his daily routine where all his days feel listless and looooong. The sunshine doesn’t excite him nor does the thought of playing with his friends. Even his Nani and Dobby the dog can’t get a smile out of him. Life around him seems to have lost all colour.
How does Ani get colour back in his life?
Does he ever smile again?
Spoiler Alert: Yesss he does.
With advice given to him by the very same person who has given all of us brilliant advice in our lives too – Our Mothers. It is simple and one that would do us all good to follow – LOVE.
“…as long as you let others love you, you will be okay,”
With a base story dealing with temporary separation anxiety, Darkless reminds us that as long as we let love in, regardless of our age, we will be fine.
A great way to open up a conversation with kids about any illness, sadness and even loss, Darkless is an empathetic way of empowering children with the skills to cope in today’s world while setting them off on a journey to find their own rainbow’s in whatever colour or hue they desire.
A book for all ages from 6 to 99+
Happy Reading:)
What makes kids feel safe and sheltered is the love around them.
Darkless written by Tanu Shree Singh with beautiful, poignant illustrations by Sandhya Prabhat is a children’s book that follows the journey of little Ani, through the sadness he feels until he rediscovers his light.
The book follows Ani through his daily routine where all his days feel listless and looooong. The sunshine doesn’t excite him nor does the thought of playing with his friends. Even his Nani and Dobby the dog can’t get a smile out of him. Life around him seems to have lost all colour.
How does Ani get colour back in his life?
Does he ever smile again?
Spoiler Alert: Yesss he does.
With advice given to him by the very same person who has given all of us brilliant advice in our lives too – Our Mothers. It is simple and one that would do us all good to follow – LOVE.
“…as long as you let others love you, you will be okay,”
With a base story dealing with temporary separation anxiety, Darkless reminds us that as long as we let love in, regardless of our age, we will be fine.
A great way to open up a conversation with kids about any illness, sadness and even loss, Darkless is an empathetic way of empowering children with the skills to cope in today’s world while setting them off on a journey to find their own rainbow’s in whatever colour or hue they desire.
A book for all ages from 6 to 99+
Happy Reading:)
January 17, 2020
I am sure each one of us has been through a situation where everything seems dark and meaningless but no matter how dark or painful it might be, the light always find its way out. And the story of Darkless is all about it.
The story revolves around a little boy named Ani, who is sad and depressed when his mom is away for illness. He find himself in a darkness with no clue of all the brightness and happiness around. But the very moment she is back the brightness, the colours are back in his life.
It's not quite often one finds a book which is not just picture perfect, simple but meaning full. The illustrations are brilliant work of art and add much to the impact of the story which is so relatable.
Also, let me tell you, the story isn't what you may expect from usual children's book, it is much beyond. The book speaks about life and how everything isn't idealistic always. I wasn't expecting it such a read and find it difficult to explain Tuggu what's is all about. But he liked the beautiful illustrations which made it easy to explain him a little more. Well the book is meant for kids above 5, but I am sure adults will equally enjoy it.
The story revolves around a little boy named Ani, who is sad and depressed when his mom is away for illness. He find himself in a darkness with no clue of all the brightness and happiness around. But the very moment she is back the brightness, the colours are back in his life.
It's not quite often one finds a book which is not just picture perfect, simple but meaning full. The illustrations are brilliant work of art and add much to the impact of the story which is so relatable.
Also, let me tell you, the story isn't what you may expect from usual children's book, it is much beyond. The book speaks about life and how everything isn't idealistic always. I wasn't expecting it such a read and find it difficult to explain Tuggu what's is all about. But he liked the beautiful illustrations which made it easy to explain him a little more. Well the book is meant for kids above 5, but I am sure adults will equally enjoy it.
February 17, 2020
"DARKLESS" is a book that deals with a very poignant topic, that of sadness and separation anxiety in children. It is a flip book that packs in a lot of emotions in a few pages.
________________
Ani, the protagonist, is seen to be bereft of colors. The world around him is colorful, happy and cheerful, yet there is something that is amiss. Even though he has his friends and Nani around him, he is engulfed in darkness. It is not before the end of the book that his world is lightened up.
_________________
The book accurately depicts how difficult it is for kids to deal with strong emotions. Their inability to express themselves hangs heavy on their heart. Grief and sorrow are likely to leave an indelible stamp on the young minds. It is a very simple story which shows how important it is to talk to kids about their feelings.
_________________
Although it is prescribed to kids in the age group 5 to 8, the emotional maturity level of the kid needs to be considered.
________________
________________
Ani, the protagonist, is seen to be bereft of colors. The world around him is colorful, happy and cheerful, yet there is something that is amiss. Even though he has his friends and Nani around him, he is engulfed in darkness. It is not before the end of the book that his world is lightened up.
_________________
The book accurately depicts how difficult it is for kids to deal with strong emotions. Their inability to express themselves hangs heavy on their heart. Grief and sorrow are likely to leave an indelible stamp on the young minds. It is a very simple story which shows how important it is to talk to kids about their feelings.
_________________
Although it is prescribed to kids in the age group 5 to 8, the emotional maturity level of the kid needs to be considered.
________________
January 21, 2020
Ani is surrounded by darkness. He misses his mother, and ever since, everything has gone dark for him. The world goes around as usual but his, has stopped. Does he find a way out of the dark?
The book uses minimal words and illustrations that stay with you to start conversations about cancer, loss and depression.
With poetic words, the author skillfully conveys the message of encouraging children to reach out and ask for help.
This book somehow evoked many raw emotions within me. Don't we all understand that endless pit of black that follows us around? Haven't we all experienced loss of some kind? And don't we all know that glorious light that we experience once our favourite person walks in?
I'd recommend this for children above 7 years or for children experiencing sadness/ grief/ special situations.
Yes, magical stories of unicorns have their own charm, but we also need books like I am Darkless, that expose children to important dialogues like these.
The book uses minimal words and illustrations that stay with you to start conversations about cancer, loss and depression.
With poetic words, the author skillfully conveys the message of encouraging children to reach out and ask for help.
This book somehow evoked many raw emotions within me. Don't we all understand that endless pit of black that follows us around? Haven't we all experienced loss of some kind? And don't we all know that glorious light that we experience once our favourite person walks in?
I'd recommend this for children above 7 years or for children experiencing sadness/ grief/ special situations.
Yes, magical stories of unicorns have their own charm, but we also need books like I am Darkless, that expose children to important dialogues like these.
January 5, 2020
There are very few books which leave a huge impact on me. Darkless is one of them. This is beautiful heart warming story of a small boy Ani, whose mother has gone away for treatment and everything seems to be dark to him. The moment he see his mother, he is happy. Tanu Shree Singh has beautifully described the mother and the child bond. The illustrations by Sandhya Prabhat are out of the world and it is one of the best picture books I have ever read.
This book definitely leaves you teary eyed but at the same time is a perfect book to introduce to kids the harsh reality of life.
This book definitely leaves you teary eyed but at the same time is a perfect book to introduce to kids the harsh reality of life.
January 19, 2020
Darkless book written by Tanushree & illustrations by Sandhya prabhat .She took sensitive subject and wrote it brilliantly.Minimal words yet meaningful illustrations.It talks about lil boy whose mother is suffering from cancer.Though she doenst use the word in the entire book,you get it from the illustrations.'As long as you let others love you,you will be okay' these lines stuck with me.How beautiful and emotional !!
January 23, 2020
This is one of those books that leaves us very emotional. Written beautifully with interesting illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews