And Yet You Shine

I’ve read two books by Supriya Kelkar, and I’ve enjoyed them both—Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame more than Ahimsa. In some ways, And Yet You Shine is even more ambitious because it’s a picture book, while also being a work of historical fiction.

And Yet You Shine tells the story of the Kohinoor, beginning with its formation of the Kohinoor and subsequent discovery. The story then takes us through the centuries, briefly touching upon all the places the Kohinoor has been. Even through fires and war, the Kohinoor continues to shine, and that is the refrain of the story.

As I read this book, I couldn’t help wondering about the target audience. With concepts like colonization and resistance, as well as the detailed information at the end of the book, wouldn’t it be more suited to older children? Yet, through it all is the metaphor that reminds you to recognise your own worth and shine on, a message that I felt was targeted at younger readers.

Having said that, And Yet You Shine is a conversation starter, an invitation to learn more about this coveted diamond. It is an exploration in free verse, followed by a sensitive set of questions about decolonisation and how complex the process is. The art and text come together to create a rich experience for the reader, inviting us to linger on the pages and take in every detail.