Neelu’sgreat escape

Written and IllustratedBy Ananya Singh

‘Neelu’s Great Escape’ Original text, design and illustration in English by Ananya Singh.

Printed by Kolor Kode

Published by Srishti PressSrishti School of Art, Design and Technology,P.O. Box No. 6430, Yelahanka New Town,Doddabalapur Road, Bangalore - 560 106.T: +91 80 40447000

Ananya Singh designed this book on ‘growing up’ as a student of the Storybook Lab at Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore. Run by Matt Lee and Krupa Thimmaiah, the aim of this lab has beento re-evaluate stereotypical notions of creating books for Indian children, that make reading enjoyable, meaningful and inexpensive.

Copyright © Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology 2012Illustrations Copyright © Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology 2012

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form orby any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology.

Neelu’sgreat escape

Written and IllustratedBy Ananya Singh

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Neelu would help chopvegetables to cook,and between her work,she would read a book.

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One lazy afternoon,while Neelu was reading,she heard a deep, low voice pleading.

She heard a crack,she heard a roar,and suddenly, the pageof her book tore!

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Out jumped a lion from his cageJust like that,out of a torn-up page!

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His hair was big and long,His body wasyellow and strong.

His teeth weresharp and white,Neelu dropped the book in fright!

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Then she sawhis eyes were sad,so sad, that she began to feel bad.

Mr. Lion with a tear on his cheek,sat on the floorand began to speak:

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Mr. Lion with a tear on his cheek,sat on the floorand began to speak:

“They made me dance,They made me sing.Juggle and jump,through a fire-ring.

I do not want tobe told what to do.I want to be freeAnd try something new.”

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Neelu told Mr. Lion,“I know, it’s cruel;even I was stopped from going to school.

I love to read andwrite on my slates,not buy vegetables,and clean the plates!”

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“Many times we are told what to do,I will help you totry something new,

Think of a place whereyou are happy, not sad.For me, reading books was what I had.”

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Maybe what you need is the jungle, your home, where with your friendsyou can play and roam!

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“I have an idea! Mr. Lion you should swing,into this book of forestswhere you are king!”

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Mr. Lion was happy!And Neelu began to reada book where a lionhad just been freed!

When her work in the kitchen becomestiring, Neelu likes to escape into a book!

MRP : 20.00`

Find out about the surprise waiting inside a book that she is reading one lazy afternoon.