​KADU SVEEKARA - FOREST OF ACCEPTANCE

Have you ever felt a little unsure of who you are, and curious about what makes you you? Have you ever felt out of place but didn’t have the words to explain why?

Many children feel these quiet questions in their hearts. They wonder where they belong, why they feel different, or how to share what they’re feeling inside. These thoughts can be hard to name—but talking about them matters. When we make space for these feelings, we help children feel seen, heard, and understood.
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​This is where Neeli’s story begins. Neeli feels lost and longs to understand her true self. Enter the gentle journey of Neeli, our protagonist who begins to discover her uniqueness when a companion joins her on her path to uncover the truth about herself. Through reflection, curiosity, and connection, the story explores themes of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance.

Designed along with ArtSparks Foundation by our intern, Shrea Johl, this book features vibrant hybrid animal puppets created by students of Adarsh Vidya Samasthe School that participated in ArtSparks programming under the guidance of Nagarathna, ArtSparks’ Training & Development Associate. The children’s artworks bring their imaginations to the forefront, enriching the narrative with authenticity and playfulness. This project emerges from ArtSparks’ ongoing effort to create visually rich, meaningful, and child-centred stories that stay close to children’s lived experiences and ways of seeing the world.