'Squeaky the little Piggy'

Reviewed by Husna Inayathullah

“Achchi Ma is a
Child at heart
We love her dearly
Just for that.
She says she's in
Her second childhood,
Free of cares
Like all of us.”

-Sybil Wettasinghe

Squeaky the little Piggy, the story of 'Achchi Ma and a little toy piggy' who is personified is written and illustrated by Sybil Wettasinghe. It is an Adith Publishers Publication. The book is the first hand thoughts of the writer.

Sybil Wettasinghe says that she bought the little toy piggy on her visit to Japan. She loves it a lot.

Wettasinghe is a veteran children's author and illustrator in Sri Lanka. Her books have been translated into several languages. She is considered the “Icon of children's literature in Sri Lanka.” The story of her life as a writer and illustrator spans over six decades. She was born on October 31, 1928 in Ginthota, the Southern part of Sri Lanka and she is now 88 years old. She is been loved by children all over the country as well as around the world.

Even in real life, she says that she has a conversation with the little toy piggy which lies on her table. Every morning she says a “Good Morning” to it and bids “Good Night” before she goes to bed.

“Toys have life and they can talk and play according to children and I too think it is real.

I can feel that toys have a close relationship with children. I am fond of my little toy piggy and that is what made me write the story."

The language that she uses is simple and easy to understand. She uses some colloquial words such as Achchi Ma to make the story settings and background familiar to children. She uses words to make the children happy. Wettasinghe writes poetry in her story, which makes the story bright and colourful.

Her drawings and illustrations tell the story. It brings light and life to the story.

The pictures are so beautifully drawn by her which makes a child turn the pages.

Through her story, “Squeaky the little Piggy,” she tries to bring out the idea that love can change anything. Love is so powerful and those who love will always stay with us. She uses two characters such as the toy piggy and Achchi Ma to bring out the theme of love. She gives life to non living things as she senses that they too have feelings.

She uses animal characters such as owls and squirrels in the jungle to bring the story alive as she believes that children love animals. Sybil Wettasinghe dedicates this story to her grandchildren.

Good qualities such as kindness, loving and caring are bought out in this story.

It is available at all bookshops.