Reena's Bollywood Dream: A Story about Sexual Abuse [Paperback]

Jewel Kats (Author), Richa Kinra (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2010

Reena wants to be a star...
...A Bollywood star. Unfortunately, her family won't stand for it. It doesn't help that Reena is only eight-years-old. However, a beacon of hope arrives in the form of Uncle Jessi. He's just emigrated from India to America, and is a welcome addition to her family household. Uncle Jessi and Reena share a special bond. Not only are they old pen pals, but he recognizes her desperation to become a Bollywood actress.

One day, Uncle Jessi plans a secret surprise. He invites her to take part in a pretend acting game. Reena jumps at the chance. At first, she enjoys swinging her hips to Bollywood beats. She smiles brightly at his camera. However, halfway through her performance matters take an unexpected turn. The end results surprise both Reena and Uncle Jessi.
Important lessons come through an action-driven story and beautiful illustrations:

Children will learn that sexual abuse is NEVER their fault.

Parents and children will be given a launching pad to discuss the warning signs of "grooming."

Children will come away knowing they have the power to say: "NO."

Children will discover that sexual abuse can occur in any cultural group.

Children can be assured that they will be believed when reporting inappropriate behavior.

Therapists and parents can exhibit that sexual abuse isn't an off-limits topic.

Child abuse survivors will come away knowing they are not alone.

Therapists' Acclaim for Reena's Bollywood Dream
"Reena's Bollywood Dream is exceptionally well-written. It works as an educational piece to foster awareness to children and their families regarding the realities of sexual abuse within the South Asian community. This informative book can help alter a child's life for the better."
--Sadia Khaliq, B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., Community Treatment Coordinator, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

"With a captivating story and beautiful illustration, and with a message that is cross-cultural and educational, Reena's Bollywood Dream can help children understand the sad reality that there are those who can hurt them but there is also means of staying safe--with others' help. I recommend this book highly to all families; it can be instrumental to starting a conversation about a difficult topic."
--Pamela Pine, PhD, MPH, Founder and CEO, Stop the Silence

For more info see www.JewelKats.com

Juvenile Fiction : Social Issues - Sexual Abuse
Family & Relationships : Abuse - Child Abuse
Social Science : Ethnic Studies - Asian American Studies

Product Details

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Loving Healing Press (August 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1615990143
• ISBN-13: 978-1615990146
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 10 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,016,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jewel Kats (1978 - ) is an award-winning writer. For six years, she penned a teen advice column for Young People's Press. "Confidentially Yours" appeared in dozens of newspapers via the Scripps Howard News Service and TorStar Syndication Services. Her work on this column led her to win a $5,000 writing scholarship by women's publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. She later earned a $15,000 scholarship from Global Television Network.

Jewel's upcoming books include: "Cinderella's Magical Wheelchair" and "What Do You Use to Help Your Body?" She hails from an Indo-Canadian background, and calls Toronto home.

Jewel's website: www.JewelKats.com
Contact info: [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star review, November 26, 2010

By 

Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stor... (Ivins, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reena's Bollywood Dream: A Story about Sexual Abuse (Hardcover)

Reviewed by: Nancy Messmore

Synopsis: Reena dreams of being a Bollywood star but it seems no one in her family--not Mommy, Daddy, nor Nani--thinks it's an appropriate dream for an eight year old. When Uncle Jessi, Reena's pen pal, joins the family in America, he encourages dreams of Bollywood. In fact, Uncle Jessi offers to make a video of Reena dancing and acting like the Bollywood actresses from India. However, playing the part begins to feel wrong and Reena runs away in tears. She recognizes that Uncle Jessi was trying to get her to do things that are wrong, so she takes the videotape to her parents. Although they are shocked by what they see on the screen, they praise Reena for her courage in doing the right thing. In the end, Reena trades in her Bollywood dream for the real-life drama club at school.

Overall thoughts: Sexual abuse is a difficult topic to discuss with children and even harder to write about. Remarkably, Jewel Kats has written about abuse in a sensitive yet thorough manner. In fact, the story could happen in any family or in any neighborhood. But by telling the story of Reena's Bollywood dream, the author not only offers an opportunity for families to discuss abuse but also a chance to glimpse another culture. A glossary of terms on the dedication page is a wonderful introduction to this multicultural book. Richa Kinra's illustrations enhance the story, especially with facial expressions that mirror the emotions articulated in the text. The rich colors reflect the culture of this family that has relocated from India to America.

During my tenure in an elementary school library, the guidance counselor often requested books on a variety of topics. I never had well-written or visually engaging books on sexual abuse. This title would fit the bill perfectly. Aside from guidance counselors, families looking for a way to discuss recognizing inappropriate physical contact and how to react to it will want to read this book together.

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for every young person!, November 15, 2010

By 

Smita Singh - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reena's Bollywood Dream: A Story about Sexual Abuse (Hardcover)

Reena's Bollywood Dream by Jewel Kats is a thought provoking book. The story is made stronger by the the simplicity of the words used to describe horrendous childhood experience of abuse.

Reena the main character tells her own story and that makes it easier for children to identify and understand the significance of the issue. Jewel has perfectly managed to bring out the strong emotions of the child character even in the restrictive space of a picture book. Her efforts to raise awareness among young people is commendable and there's no better medium then a picture book.

On the other hand Richa Kinra amazes the readers with her beautiful illustrations through out the book that enhances the story written by Jewel. The visual aid provided in the book by the talented Richa are immensely enjoyable and even though the theme is serious the pictures act as the positive harness for the story.

It would have been great if there was a little bit more on the feelings and emotions of a child after the incident.

Both Jewel and Richa have done a fantastic job of bringing up this tabooed issue and talking about it in a sensitive way as well as giving advice on how to deal with it. A must read for all young people and also adults as they need to know what a child could go through and also that they should trust their child more.

Smita Singh
VAANI

5.0 out of 5 stars needed discussion of a subject we'd rather not have to discuss, November 15, 2010

By 

Wayne S. Walker "Home School Book Review" (Salem, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reena's Bollywood Dream: A Story about Sexual Abuse (Hardcover)

Do you know what "Bollywood" is? Since the majority of movie studios here in the United States have been located in Hollywood, CA, the film industry in this country is generally known as "Hollywood." The film industry in the nation of India is known as "Bollywood." Eight-year-old Reena's family is originally from India but she, her parents, and Nani her grandmother live in the United States. Reena's dream is to become a Bollywood actress, although her parents want her to become a doctor because she comes from a family of doctors. One day her Uncle Jessi, who is a Bollywood actor, arrives from India. He and Reena have been pen pals.
A few days later, when all the rest of the family members except Uncle Jessi and Reena are out on a shopping trip, Uncle Jessi invites Reena to his room for a secret surprise. He has a Bollywood actress outfit for Reena so that they can play a pretend acting game. When Reena has changed, he puts on some Indian music, takes out his video camera, and asks her to dance. While she's dancing, he tells her to take off her bangles, then her anklets, and she does these things. But then he tells her to take off her blouse. This request makes her feel very uncomfortable. What will Reena do? Will she comply with Uncle Jessi's wishes? Will she hide her feelings and suffer in silence? Or will she tell someone whom she trusts?
The subject of child sexual abuse which is raised in this book, with its brightly colored illustrations by Richa Kinra, is one that we'd rather not have to talk about, but it's certainly one that needs to be addressed. By reading Reena's Bollywood Dream or having it read to them, children can learn that sexual abuse is not their fault, come away knowing that they have the power to say no, and be assured that they will be believed when reporting inappropriate behavior. Also, child abuse survivors will know that they are not alone. While this very informative story about inappropriate advances by adults toward children, which is easy to read and understand, is about people from a particular background, it can be adapted to any culture.