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Shazia Razzak, photographed by Prodeepta Das,
P is for Pakistan
Frances Lincoln, 2007.
Ages 5-10
This latest book in Frances Lincoln’s World Alphabet series, P is for Pakistan is a welcome and worthy addition. The informative text, written in a conversational style, and the bright, well-framed photographs together provide a lively introduction to the country.
Working within the ABC framework can be a challenge and it would appear that the letter X is as tricky a starting letter in Urdu, Punjabi, Pushto and Sindhi, (which we learn are the languages spoken in Pakistan) as it is in English. However, "the eXciting kite festival of Basnat" is upbeat enough for even the most exacting young pedant to pardon (I know because my seven-year-old is one of them!): and the book could not have a better opening than its "Aa is for Asslam-U-Alaikum. This is how people in Pakistan say hello!" Accompanied as it is by its photograph of two men greeting each other with such infectious smiles, it draws young readers in right from the first page.
The layout of each page is uncluttered and a series of recurring traditional patterns provides a motif that helps hold it all together. We take a journey throughthe country's geography, traditions, food, education and festivals; and meet people of all ages. There is a boy learning to write Urdu; a young woman putting on her headscarf (“Hh is for Hijaab, which means dressing modestly”); a grandfather surrounded by his grandchildren; a young man selling jasmine bracelets, a tailor (“Mm is for Mothi, xsequens and beads”), musicians (“Qq is for Qawali, songs of Islam”), and even a herbalist (“O is for ointment”).
Shazia Razzak says in her introduction that "the book sets out to give a true flavour of the people and how they live" and I would say that she and Prodeepta Das together have certainly succeeded in giving an engaging overview of Pakistan. What better approbation could there be than my above-mentioned seven-year-old’s "Mummy, can we go to Pakistan one day?"
Marjorie Coughlan
July 2008
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