Exasperated that your kid is constantly engaging with reels and television while on a vacation, or you are planning to take your kids on a trip? Either—or, I would suggest you handover this warm, comforting book to them and surely, they would be hooked (for the good!).
Iya, an innocent, curious girl is off to a trip in the mountains with her father during which she gets to experience village life in the hills—from homestay to farm animals, she loves it all!
Mani Mahesh Aurora beautifully explains environmental terminology with excerpts from Iya’s diary and her father’s blog, which makes the read engaging and not preachy. He skilfully crafts a riveting read through rhymes and short one-liners, which makes adults and children ponder, for instance, ‘….I came here as a guest, learning things not on the internet’, emphasising learning in the open instead of limiting it just to phones. The learnings gently unfold as the characters unravel through their journey in the hills picking experiences and lessons on responsible tourism simultaneously.
The author himself has earned global recognition for projects in responsible tourism in the Indian Himalayas, namely the Gold World Responsible Tourism Award (London). Hiis on-ground experience of working closely with rural communities to revive ancient traditions, bring ecological solutions, strengthen rural economies, and create educational tourism experiences that connect children like Iya with nature, culture and responsible travel reflects strikingly in his writing.
His genuine attempt to spread awareness among children (and adults) about slow, responsible and sustainable travel hits deeper than just ticking the itinerary check-boxes. It’s his unique, authentic voice that stands out.
The colourful illustrations by Maryam Ahmad teleport the reader to villages in the hills creating a captivating imagery. It’s the little details that Ahmad brings through her artistic illustration that stand out. For instance, lightweight packing reflected through a small backpack, or the cute little white flowers on the cover page, snow-capped mountains overlooking the green fields, a goat with a ringing bell, and much more reflect Maryam’s attention to detail. This thoughtful collaboration does bring a close association with the narration and feels like a warm hug amidst the Himalayan chill.
I wish the book were long, giving other characters equal depth and dialogue to make it more fun for kids to engage with.
To sum it all, Iya’s gentle journey, colourful illustrations and little nuggets of knowledge makes the book a fun read for children. Perhaps, even adults should dive in to take a few tips to avoid environmental damage.
Iya and the Map of Gentle Journeys (Bare Bones Publishing, 2025) can be purchased here.
Sunny Gavhane is a Chartered Accountant by day, navigating the corporate MNC world, and an avid explorer of stories by night. Beyond the numbers, his heart lies in reading, writing, traveling, and the performing arts. Whether it’s diving into a gripping piece of fiction, dissecting current affairs, or sharing friendly career advice, Sunny is always down for an intellectual conversation over a cup of coffee. Connect with him to talk books, life, and everything in between.
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