Seeker of Truth - Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF

A wonderfully inspirational picture book biography of a little-known, Nobel prize winning, advocate for child's rights and freedom. An excellent exploration of the motivation and accomplishments of Kailash Satyarthi's world-wide fight to ensure all children have the right to education and play.

Seeker of Truth: Kailash Satyarthi's Fight to End Child Labor

Author: Srividhya Venkat

Illustrator: Danica da Silva Pereira

Publisher: little bee books/Simon & Schuster (2024)

Ages: 4-8

Nonfiction

Themes:

Child labor, activism, and community change.

Synopsis:

Little by little, drop by drop Kailash Satyarthi devoted his life to battling international child labor and exploitation. In 2014 his work earned him a Nobel Peace Prize alongside Malala Yousafzai.

"My only aim in life is that every child is free to be a child."

Kailash Satyarthi has fought injustice his whole life. As a young boy, he raised money so poor children could attend school. When he was a teen, he combatted caste discrimination by sharing a meal with "untouchables." And as an adult, he fought against child labor and for increased education, ultimately rescuing hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. In 2014, he was recognized for his efforts, winning a Nobel Peace Prize alongside Malala Yousafzai. This inspiring picture book shows that anyone can strive for change in their community that make a big difference around the world.

Opening Lines:

When Kailash Sharma was a little boy,

he heard the story of how a hummingbird

tried to put out a forest fire.

While all the other animals fled,

the tiny bird brought water in its beak

to douse the fierce flame

Little by little.

Drop by drop.

The story remained

with Kailash all his life.

He was amazed by the idea

that even small creatures

could do big things.

What I LOVED about this book:

This wonderful opening sets up the refrain of the book - "Little by little. Drop by drop" - and the deep determination, honed from childhood, that Kailash could make a difference. Even if he had to pursue a fight on his own.

Text © Srividhya Venkat, 2024. Image © Danica Da Silva Pereira, 2024.

As a child in India, Kailash noticed other children unable to attend school or play like himself and he was puzzled - why couldn't the children choose what they want to be? Why did they have to work? At ten years old, Kailash raised money selling snacks and collected books to help kids who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford to go to school. Danica Da Silva Pereira's illustrations use an interesting and enticing palette of muted tans, pinks, blues, and browns. Although dealing with a raging fire and child labor, the illustrations and text remain child friendly.

Text © Srividhya Venkat, 2024. Image © Danica Da Silva Pereira, 2024.

When his community leaders paid lip-service to changing the caste system, Kailash "took a stand and ate

the lovingly cooked meal by "untouchables" and suffered the wrath of his parents and community. As an adult, his restlessness to make a difference, caused him to quit his teaching job, change his last name "to Satyarthi, which means “seeker of truth,” and start a magazine to highlight other's struggles.

When a father approached him to write about his daughter being forced to work in a brick factory, Kailash wanted to do more than just write an article. I love how Danica Da Silva Pereira included a hummingbird, with water dripping from its beak, each time the refrain is used.

Text © Srividhya Venkat, 2024. Image © Danica Da Silva Pereira, 2024.

Kailash could no longer wait

to make change happen.

Little by little.

Drop by drop.

It was time.

Kailash freed the girl. But when the factory owner's men stopped him from freeing all the other children, he fought until he freed them all. And he continued fighting. Taking his determination to end child labor around the world and leading to a march by 7 million people in 103 countries, fighting so "every child has the right to their childhood." An author's note provides additional information on Kailash's accomplishments and continued activism, pandemic setbacks, and the caste system. This is an inspiring biography and a challenge to continue fighting to end child labor around the world.

Resources:

• participate in a book, food, or clothing drive to help children in your community.

• explore some of the resources at the back of the book.

• in her interview, Srividhya Venkat offered ways to follow Kailash Satyarthi's example:

  • Be curious about your community and the world
    

  • Contribute your services or show support to causes you believe in

  • Speak out against injustices

  • Unite with others and take action, when needed

If you missed my interview with Srividhya Venkat and Danica da Silva Pereira on Monday, find it (here).

This post is part of a series by authors and KidLit bloggers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays. For more picture book suggestions and resources see Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Books.