“The more you eat, the more you crave! You can’t catch me, no matter how brave!”
In another review I mentioned that I like folk tales, though if one is retold just to retell it by adding a few diverse elements, but keep the rest, I am not really a fan. However, The Runaway Dosa showed me that might not always be the case. Suma Subramaniam took The Gingerbread Man story, but added an Indian twist that pays tribute to the old and new. Based on a child’s song, Dosai! Amma, Dosai (part of which is in the story), this will be a fun addition to your collection.
When a little girl is hungry, she and her family eat the dosa the mother makes. But the little girl accidently sets off a series of events when she reaches for the last one. It comes to life and sings a little ditty, then runs off. Then the girl and her brother run after the dosa and find themselves in a magical realm where the creatures of the Hindi mythology and legends are real. As these magical, mythical beings help the siblings, we see the lush fantasy realm with illustrations by Parvati Pillai.
These illustrations are both cute and somewhat serious. They mix an almost surreal and realistic element to paint the picture of a runaway food item. The colors are bold, rich, and colorful. The details vary from page to page, but always give what is needed. And thought the dosa itself is sometimes a bit off putting (just look at that devilish grin of the cover!) it is not overwhelming, and most ages can enjoy.
Due September 2023; read via an online reader copy. An afterwards expands on the stories included as well as various glossaries and more. 
