Zara and the Bumbling Genie by Padmini Sankar is a delightful read that combines innocence, fantasy and adventure with endearing life lessons. The protagonist, eleven-year-old Zara Kumar, faces a health condition that affects her eyes. She must undergo an expensive vision-saving surgery that her teacher-parents cannot afford.
While Zara’s family tries their best to arrange for funds, their woes multiply in the form of the villainous new Principal, My Boyle, who could give Ms. Trunchbull from Matilda a run for her money. Zara finds an unexpected ally in Joom, a gentle genie who lives in the Tamarind tree adjacent to her balcony and becomes her confidante. Joom has lost his magic and is hiding from his evil master, Gorgonzola, who is as stinky as the cheese.
How does this unlikely duo help each other overcome their challenges, including ruthless lizard villains, school bullies, a luxury wipe scam, and thick-framed spectacles?
The characters are well-etched, be it the bumbling Joom with his jokes and unwavering loyalty, or Zara with her determination, and resilience. The scenes at the school and the quiz took me down the path of nostalgia. What truly tugged at my heartstrings was the extent to which the family stuck together, trying to survive a crisis. It is commendable how the author took a serious situation and made it hopeful and inspiring.
While this story is mid-grade fiction, it is sure to engage your inner child, appealing to both adult and young readers. The humour and the puns make it must-read. Zara and the Bumbling Genie is an enjoyable, magical read with chuckle worthy puns and eye-popping illustrations that leave a big grin on your face.
I’m looking out of my balcony tonight, trying to manifest a bumbling Genie!
