The Trickster

When Katha asked me whether I would be willing to review their upcoming release, The Trickster, I thought about it. I am not usually a fan of retellings. Additionally, I don’t post negative reviews; I review only books I enjoy. I decided I would take the chance, though, and I am glad I did!

The Trickster (retold by Meenakshi Bharadwaj from a Native American tale) is a visual treat. Charbak Dipta’s artwork is stunning, and each page makes you linger, looking at all the details. The story itself is a humorous one, with a delightful twist at the end that leaves you wondering who the trickster really is. Is it the coyote who can use his magic stick to make wishes come true? Or is it someone else altogether?

This simple, quirky story comes alive because of the illustrations. As someone who enjoys working with stories, I also liked the activities at the end of the book. There are so many tricksters in history, folklore, mythology and legend. Drawing links between them is a fun exercise, particularly with a diverse group of children.

“What-if” is always a great creative exercise, and that’s another one the book explores. What didn’t work for me, however, is the idea of calling the story a poem. I love verse, and while the original from which this story has been adapted seems to have been a poem, the concluding information was confusing!

Having said that, from a child’s point of view, as well as from that of an educator’s, The Trickster is a joyful read that is sure to make readers smile.