Written by Urvi Shah
Illustrated by Spandana Anil (10 yrs)

Shonottara – The Golden Butterfly is about an adventurous little butterfly who stumbles upon a luminous land of beautiful and magnificent flowers. Her journey towards the land is symbolic of the inner journey towards one’s true light.

As the world moves forward, children who are forerunners towards this new age are now seeking to find their own truth, their guiding principle. This story seeks to show a similar striving in a subtle way.

HOW TO USE THIS STORY?
Teachers, parents and adults may read aloud this story to children and show them the illustrations. Alternatively, it may be given to the children to read themselves depending on their abilities. The child, may later be asked to recount or draw their favourite part.

Please feel free to use the story creatively along with art, music, puppets etc. as you are inspired, albeit, without changing or diluting the purity of intent.

HOW THIS BOOK CAME TO BE ?
I met Spandana in the year 2019 when she was 6 and since then have been her teacher, first in a classroom set-up, and thereafter online. For a while, I had been deliberating on the idea of having her illustrate one of my stories. In 2022, the idea came to fruition and Spandana spent over 6 months illustrating Shonottara – The Golden Butterfly. All the artwork in this book has been conceptualised and created by her with very little guidance from my end.

I am so grateful to Spandana for her endurance, spirit and creative spark. I am also deeply thankful to her parents, Shilpa and Anil, for trusting me through the years, and for creating a loving, nurturing space within which this story could come alive.

A deep gratitude to Jacqueline at Oracle Girl for her financial support which made the designing and the printing of the book possible, the way the story deserved!

HOW THIS STORY CAME TO BE?
This was the first complete story I wrote in the year 2019. I had for a while carried a deep wish to write stories for children and this story came as present from beyond as an answer to my wish.

When I had to name the butterfly, I very spontaneously chose the name of a child I taught, Shonottara. Though Shonottara, means “dear one”, her name aways reminded me of the colour golden. (maybe because Shona/Sona, also means golden in some Indian languages)

This story is for all the golden-eyed children of today. May they discover this new land, just like Shonottara does!

FOR WHOM?
The story is for children (age 6+) and adults.