The Girl Who Played with Numbers by Lavanya Karthik is a lovely addition to her series of biographies for very young readers. I’ve read five or six of them so far, and I’ve enjoyed each one. I’m also constantly amazed at not only how prolific Lavanya is, but also her range of writing and art!
A little note tells us that the illustrations in this book about Shakuntala Devi are inspired by the Mysore school of painting. While this isn’t my favourite style, I love the fact that the choice isn’t random.
As someone who loves numbers, I like the story too! I must say, however, that the part I loved best was the childlike desire to stop studying and be allowed to play instead. Shakuntala Devi may have been a genius and a prodigy, but she was, after all, a child! I like that the story mentions it without dwelling on it.
The Dreamers series is a delightful one, ideal for those looking for simple, illustrated biographical picture books. I look forward to seeing who the next dreamer in the series will be!
| Title | The Girl Who Played with Numbers |
| Author and illustrator | Lavanya Karthik |
| Tags | Dreamers, Picture Book, Biography |
| Rating (out of 5) | 4 |
| Ages | 6+ |
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