Review by Erin Wilson

Taking place in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh near a Rohingya camp, Rani enjoys being by the sea and collecting shells. In fact she makes herself a very pretty seashell necklace.

Her family works hard catching and selling fish to make a living. Troubles start when prices for rent go up and her parents struggle to make enough money. Rani’s family moves closer to the Rohingya camp to make a living. In Rani’s new environment, she sees struggles and pains that aren’t familiar to her.

She asks important questions like, “‘Baba, did bad things happen to the Rohingya people?’” Her father responds suggesting that that is why these people have moved to Bangladesh and is a reason we all need to share what we have for it to be meaningful. His words inspire Rani to share her beautiful seashell necklace with a little girl named Fatima who lives in the camp. After Fatima has a new seashell bracelet, both Rani and Fatima have huge smiles on their faces of a new found friendship.

Rani inspires us all to share what we have with others which will bring light into this world. 

This very simple yet powerful story allows the reader to discuss topics on sharing, friendship, and family but also the current issues about Rohingya refugees. I have read this book to my younger students in Dhaka and this was an impactful introduction to these issues for them. The students weren’t aware of Rohingya refugees and were inspired to take action to help with what they had.

Title Information: Rani’s Seashell Necklace, Ranir Jhinuk Mala

Author: Shazia Omar & Raya Rahman

Illustrator: Sayeef Mahmud

ISBN: 978-1-946747-30-3

Publisher: Guba Books

Language: English, Bangla

Date: 2023

Author Bio:

Shazia Omar is a Bangladeshi novelist. Her debut novel, Like a Diamond in the Sky was published by Penguin India and Zubaan in 2009. She studied at Dartmouth College and the London School of Economics. She currently lives in Bangladesh.

Author Bio:

Raya Rahman is the founder and editor of a children’s bilingual picture book company called Guba Publishing. She works in partnership with cause driven  non-profit organizations to publish diverse and multicultural children’s stories and learning resources.

Illustrator Bio:

Sayeef Mahmud is an illustrator by day and animator by night based in Dhaka. Most of his work focuses on the surrounding that he belongs to with the mix of science fiction and fantasy. Urban space drawings have been a big part of his work for the past 5 years. Wants to work hard enough till he can afford to be a full-time farmer for the rest of his time.

Reviewer Bio:

Erin Wilson currently works as a Teacher Librarian in Dhaka, Bangladesh and has worked internationally for 10 years in the following countries; China, India, and now Bangladesh. She has vast experience working in diverse cultures from Native American students to inner-city students and the international community. Her other passion lies in studying Asian dances. Currently she is focused on Odissi classical dance, and uses this dance vocabulary for storytelling in the library to actively engage children. It’s never boring in the library. 

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