
TITLE: Munni Monster
AUTHOR: Madhurima Vidyarthi
PAGE EXTENT: 104
PUBLISHER: Duckbill Books (Penguin Random House India)
GENRE: Middle Grade
MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️
SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

‘She was angry too, angry inside; about this unknown person who was being suddenly forced into her perfect life. That she would have to give up her room-her bed!-and share Thamma with this-this . . .’
Mishti’s life changes when her grandmother’s cousin Munni, who has cerebral palsy, comes to live with them. Her only thought is to make her leave, somehow.
But as time goes by, Munni shows strange endearing habits and when matters come to a crisis, Mishti is no longer sure that Munni is really the monster she thought she was.
A funny moving story about a ten-year-old dealing with strange and difficult changes and disability, and above all, about love.

“What’s inclusive?”
“It means people who are different in any way— different from most of the other people, what is called the majority— should not be made to feel different. In any way. In the way we see them or treat them or in the way we do things for them.”
WOW! Where do I even begin? My eyes were glistening with tears when I flipped the last page. This books tugs at all the right heartstrings and will make you want to keep it very close to your heart, for days and years to come.
This is the story of Mishti, a fun-loving, chirpy girl and her grandmother’s cousin, Munni who is living with cerebral palsy. When Munni’s sister and caretaker passes away and Munni starts living with Mishti’s family, she begins to feel her life has been upended with the arrival of Munni. She begins to plan and plot with her friend, Riya(not the most pleasant kid) to get rid of Munni. But what happens when things don’t go according to plan? Well, they don’t, most of the time, do they? Will Mishti adjust to her new life and will she begin to accept Munni the way she is? Before I spew out the entire story, please pick this book up and know for yourself!
Being a doctor, books that showcase people with disabilities always have a special place in my heart. Cerebral Palsy is a developmental condition that isn’t often highlighted in books and it gives me immense joy that Madhurima, a doctor herself(Yay!), chose to bring to light this fairly common condition. It is often misconstrued and the condition has a myriad of symptoms which can manifest differently in different patients, which sometimes leads to these patients being treated not so well by their peers. Through Mishti’s eyes, we learn a great deal about how people tend to perceive this condition and also about breaking the stigma surrounding CP.
The tumultuous times Mishti’s family went through during a health crisis of a family member was something that deeply resonated with me and made me shed tears in buckets. The financial difficulties, the mental distress and the agony of family members is something I witness day in and day out and it made me want to jump right into the book and reassure the entire family! 🥺
Mishti’s relationship with her paternal grandmother, Thamma is bound to warm every corner of your heart! As Indians, we all have memories of spending time with our grandparents in childhood which we cherish to this day, and after reading this book, you will begin to cherish their relationship as well. I want to try Chanel No. 5 too, haha! (Read the book to find out why!)
Discussing disability is no mean feat. It requires a ton of research and accuracy. Not only has Madhurima achieved this, she has also made it palatable for readers, both young and old! Tanvi Bhat’s illustrations sprinkled throughout the book make the experience better!
If you are in the mood for a cute little book that will have you reaching out for tissues time and again, this should be your top choice! Embark on a journey of acceptance, learning, compassion and most importantly, love, with Mishti and her adorable grandmother, Thamma!
Have you read any books having characters with disabilities? Let me know in the comments below!














