Storytime in Dhaka: Tiny Jumps In

Last weekend, 19 – 20 January, Inshra Sakhawat Russel took Tiny on a reading tour across the city, from Shahbag to Banani, at Pathak Shamabesh, Bengal Boi, Fantasium and finally, Gourmet Bazar.

Tiny Jumps In, or Tiny Jhap Dilo was an attraction that both children and parents equally enjoyed. Author Inshra and artist Rushnaf Wadud began the reading session with the “if you're happy and you know it” chant, but of course, with a twist — “If you want to hear a story clap your hand!”

And everyone tuned in.

This was a book reading session like no other, as the readers were constantly interacting with the children.

Artist Rushnaf also gave special sound effects to the narration of Tiny's aquatic adventures. And the super interactive children's event did not just end there. A game was played where it got all the children to think and to create a brand-new story from the words of a spinning wheel (and that was fun to watch)!

As promised, prizes were handed out to all the participants of the fun game.

Inshra, as a maker of all creative arts, fused her writing and illustration talents to come up with Tiny. And her childhood traits as a young curious girl intrigued by challenges are covertly incorporated into the story of Tiny and her aquatic adventure; although she disagrees that she herself, is in fact, Tiny.

 “I am not Tiny, Tiny is Tiny. I used to always draw this character that drew out from my hand. And because she was the easiest thing to draw, she eventually became a character. The inspiration behind the story was a book I read, and as I was experimenting with colour theory, I decided to put the two together and the vehicle was Tiny,” Inshra said.

A six-year-old at the event said, “The underwater parts looked really scary, but they made it sound really funny so it wasn't scary after all.”

The story, Tiny Jumps In, boils down to the conclusion that Tiny's inspiration to swim came from the curiosity of the lake. Tiny's story can inspire children between the age of 5 to 10 to carve their own curiosities. And maybe get them interested to read more. Or even to anticipate what Tiny would be up to next!

Tiny Jumps In is available at Pathak Shamabesh, Bengal Boi, and Gourmet Bazar, Banani.

Photo courtesy: Inshra Russell