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BEN O COMES HOME by Vanaja Dhanan
All animal lovers have stories to tell. Ben O Comes Home
is a children's storybook by Vanaja Dhanan - journalist, PR practitioner cum owner of Yoga2Health whose pet BenO had a rough start to life. The book is an excellent read for children up to the age of 8 or 10, depending on their exposure and reading habits. With unique illustrations, in colour, to arouse the imagination of young readers the emotions and moods of the story are captured perfectly. Throughout the pages there are subtle messages related to positive thinking, coping skills, good manners, caring and kindness.
Vanaja or Aunty Van does her rounds of story telling and book signing and is often seen at charity fundraisers as she is happy to pledge part proceeds to deserving causes. She says: “When I adopted BenO a few years ago, I was so moved by his ordeal that I decided to create a story. Through my book I hope to teach children to respect living things and to take the bull by its horns – that is, if like BenO they are stuck with a problem, and want a positive change, they should do something about it.”
Here’s a brief introduction to the book.
Ben O is a puppy, mistreated early in life by his owner. His tiny tail is bound tightly with a string. He gets very little to eat. He exists almost like a prisoner serving a jail sentence. The only thing is he committed no crime. He just had the misfortune of falling into hands of a horrible human being.
Although things get unbearable, BenO doesn’t lose hope. After a good cry, he tells himself that he is going to be strong and he is going to escape. The positive thinking comes into play when one day the mean owner, portrayed as a giant, forgets to close the door of the room where the puppy is imprisoned. The puppy seizes the opportunity, sneaks out, meets a mouse who shows him how to escape.
Things change for the better when he is rescued by a kind man who takes him to a vet. BenO tells his young readers that for him to recover fast, he has to bear the pain of an injection, eat his medication and consume his vitamins. He mends well and is soon welcomed into a new, happy home.
The creative illustrations by Mumbai based talent Jyotsna Puthran allows younger children who can’t read to enjoy this book. The vibrant colors and artist’s impression of life around BenO is simply spellbinding.
BEN O Comes Home retails at RM15. The author is happy to donate RM5 to a good cause. Organisations supported include PS The Children (Protect and Save Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation), SpeciaL Kids of Ampang, SPCA, and cancer awareness day at Lorna Whiston school. " The book is an excellent tool for fundraising and I am happy to be able to contribute in some way for the betterment of children and animals," adds Vanaja. “ I wish major corporations or individuals will come forward, buy the book in bulk and distribute to underpriveleged children or organizations in need of funds. We need to do much more to encourage literacy and leisure reading in this country. "
Recently an organisation bought 200 copies for distribution to kids in Cambodia. Bulk orders have special rates, a minimum order of 100 copies is RM1,000. Sponsors can use a blank page upfront for any messages.
To purchase a copy of BenO Comes Home and Story Telling sessions, please contact Vanaja at +603-22823866/+6012-2198161 or email her at jayam@pc.jaring.my Books are also available at Yoga2Health at 21A Jln Telwai3, Bangsar Baru.
