Book Review: Help! My Aai Wants to Eat Me

Author: Bijal Vachharajani 

Have you ever looked at a baby, kitten, or puppy and thought, “I want to eat it!”? The feelings, also known as ‘cute aggression,’ are usually just expressions of overwhelming affection but play a key role in a hilarious misconception that serves as the foundation for Bijal Vachharajani’s delightful book, Help! My Aai Wants to Eat Me.

Vachharajani introduces us to a young boy named Avi who takes his mother’s affectionate expressions a bit too literally. Packed with vivid illustrations by Priya Kuriyan, this book uses the amusing exaggerations of a child’s imagination to deliver a story.

The story unfolds as Avi, a cricket-loving and tinda sabzi-hating boy, witnesses a bear eating its cub. This scene sparks a wild imagination in his head, leading him to believe that his own aai (mother in Marathi) might have similar intentions. Avi’s fear and confusion are relatable to many children who have had overactive imaginations.

Vachharajani does an excellent job of capturing the innocence and vulnerability of childhood, especially the way children often misinterpret figurative language or playful teasing from adults. The precocious Avi’s worries and the way he tries to avoid his imagined fate mirror the anxiety children feel when they don’t fully understand a situation but are too afraid to ask for clarification. His desperate attempts to escape his “doom” are equally hilarious and relatable.

While the book is light in tone, it subtly tackles deeper themes such as trust, family bonding, and communication. The exaggerated fear Avi feels serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing a child’s concerns, no matter how silly they may seem to adults. In the end, the resolution is heartwarming, as Avi realises that his aai’s strange declarations were simply expressions of her overwhelming affection for him.

The book’s strength lies in its ability to capture the innocence and humour of childhood. Vachharajani’s writing style is engaging and easy to understand. Kuriyan’s illustrations work perfectly with the story, enhancing the innocence of Avi and overall charm of the story.

While the premise of the book may seem a bit absurd, it’s precisely this absurdity that makes it so enjoyable. Avi’s comical misunderstandings and his attempts to protect himself from his “cannibalistic” mother are sure to elicit laughter from both children and adults.

With a balance of humour and warmth, Vachharajani has crafted a delightful tale that will leave readers smiling.