‘Bowling-out’ Prejudices! [Review]

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Book Title: Baloo’s Big Win – How Palwankar Baloo broke the caste barrier in cricket  (The Magic Maker Series)
Author: Mamta Nainy
Illustrator: Saumya Oberoi
Publisher: Puffin
Type: Paperback
Length: 40 pages
Recommended Age: 6-8/9 years

Ananya’s father is an avid sports fan, so we frequently discuss sports at home. She loved reading Born to Bat based on Mithali Raj’s story (also by the same author). So, when Asha ji reached out to check if Ananya would like to review this book – I was both excited and thrilled, as I knew she would love it!

“Baloo Big Win” by Mamta Nainy offers an insightful perspective into the challenges and triumphs faced by Baloo Palwankar, who emerged from humble beginnings to become a significant figure in Indian cricket during the early 20th century.

The narrative revolves around Baloo, a young boy navigating life’s challenges, and his relationships with those around him. Every day he wakes up an hour before sunrise, sweeps the front door, feeds the animals and then walks to draw water from the shared well. People treat him differently in a not-so-good way – scrunching noses, covering mouths, some even sprinkling holy water on the ground he walks on. Baloo questions his parents about this behaviour, but sadly does not get answers.

As he grows, he starts doing odd jobs at the Poona Gymkhana Club where he is accidently discovered as an unusual, though, promising bowler. Subsequently, he starts bowling to the English batsmen during their practice sessions.

Baloo loved cricket but lived in an era where societal rules weren’t fair. Despite Baloo’s talent, sadly, societal circumstances and discrimination prevents him from being part of the mainstream team. How will Baloo overcome this social stigma and change the game rules?

The author does an excellent job of fleshing out Baloo’s character, showcasing his prowess, his passion for cricket, and his unwavering determination to succeed despite numerous obstacles. The book covers key themes such as resilience, social justice, and the impact of sport on one’s identity. Baloo’s journey is not merely about cricket; it’s also an insight into the societal norms plaguing India, particularly around caste and hierarchy. The illustrations complement the text beautifully, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Ananya says she loved the book – as Baloo loves cricket ‘as much as she does’. In her words (also the moral) “Never listen or take other people seriously. You should continue to do what you love and one day everyone will follow you”.

The book highlights the importance of empathy and understanding, making it not just an entertaining read but also a valuable lesson for children. Overall, a heartwarming tale that encourages kindness – and smashes discrimination for a six!

The other books in this series is Roshan’s Road to Music (Achira’s review), The Magic Makers: Looking For Inspiration: How Rabindranath Tagore Penned his Favourite Poem! , That Big-Voiced Girl (you can read Mona’s incredible review here!) .

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Disclaimer: Pooja and her daughters are a part of the #kbcReviewerSquad and received this book as a review copy from the publisher via kbc.