For kids in 1990s Bangladesh, evenings were filled with weaving dreams. On breezy spring and summer nights, they would lie on a Shital Pati out (a type of handcrafted mat) in the front yard under a moonlit sky thick with stars and the Milky Way. On monsoon rainy nights or chilly winter nights, they would huddle in bed by the soft, warm glow of a hurricane lantern. In six seasons, listening to fairytales and fables from their grandma was a cherished, common childhood experience.
Those days are gone! Yesterday, after a very long time, I read a fairytale book that someone (foreigner) shared with me—though even the concept of a book has drastically changed by now. In today's digital world, fairy tales are experienced through screens. Instead of sparking our imagination, the characters are given a fixed face. This isn't to say that '90s kids didn't have illustrated books, but there is a vast difference between listening to a spoken tale and reading one. Today, background music is engineered into the experience just to hold a toddler's attention.
Anyway,before reading the children's storybook The little Star Wanderer and the School of magic by Józsa Zsuzsa , I thought it would be just a typical nowadays fairy tale. But after reading , it hits differently! It has very deep messages in simple, soft words—not only for toddlers, but also for readers of all ages.Besides, I find this idea very interesting too -it offers Free Printable Coloring Book! In the writer's words:
"The musical storybook offers pages that spring to life and interactive play tasks for kids, while gently holding their hand and subtly shaping their inner world to be richer and more beautiful."
You can get this book here :
The little Star Wanderer and the School of magic
Fairy tales might be helpful sometimes for increasing self-confidence. My dear readers, what does self-confidence mean to you? To me, true self-confidence means placing my complete trust in Allah and remaining positive and hopeful about everything,including myself. And all power belongs to none but the One and Only Allah.
The little Star Wanderer and the School of magic got me thinking about how the entire experience of "storytelling" has evolved. Growing up in 1990s Bangladesh, stories were an organic, communal experience tied to nature, weather, and elders. Today, it is a highly structured, digital consumer product. Yet, I still appreciate the way this book connects with our shared humanity. While modern media heavily promotes realism and Machiavellianism, this children's storybook encourages young readers to think liberally and be idealistic. This is what I like most about this book. In my view, Machiavellian tactics belong only among the ruthless individuals, rather than being applied to the general public.
Copyright©️Rumana Reza,2026
