Champi and the Fig Tree

 Read Aloud 🎧

Author & Translator: Deepa Bhasthi

Deepa Bhasthi is a writer and translator whose essays and cultural writing have appeared in many Indian and international publications. She has translated works from Kannada, and her translation of Banu Mushtaq’s short stories received the English PEN Award in 2024.

Source: https://storyweaver.org.in/en/users/1038428-deepa-bhasthi

Illustrator: Joanna Mendes

Joanna Mendes is an illustrator and graphic designer who works with both traditional and digital styles. She studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design and enjoys drawing from everyday life and observing people.

Source: https://storyweaver.org.in/en/users/1023048-joanna-mendes

Publisher: Pratham Books (StoryWeaver)

Year: 2024

Reading Level: Level 2 

Genre: Picture book; nature / animals

Synopsis 

Champi loves fruits, especially figs. One day she notices that she is not the only one who enjoys them. With her brother Anna, she observes different animals visiting the fig tree. A squirrel nibbles the fruit, hornbills feed on it, and signs suggest that shy night animals like civet cats and porcupines also come to eat. Curious, Champi waits and finally spots a porcupine at night. Through her observations, she realises that many creatures share her love for figs and the tree becomes a lively meeting place for both day and night animals.

Theme / Skill

1. Animals and habitats; 
2. Night animals;
3. Observation

Pre-reading

• Show the cover and ask children what fruits they like and which animals they have seen eating fruits.
• Ask if animals come out only in daytime or also at night. 
• Introduce the idea of a fruit tree as a shared food source.

During reading

• Pause when each animal appears and ask children to notice clues (beak, droppings, movement, time of day).
• Ask: “Is this animal active in day or night?”
• Track animals on a simple chart: day animals vs night animals.

Post-reading

• Children draw a tree and add animals that might visit it in day and night.
• Discuss why some animals come out at night.
• Assessment: child can name at least one day animal and one night animal from the story and explain when they appear.

Reflection

What I enjoyed most is how the story gently introduces different animals that visit the same tree, including those that appear only at night. The shift from day creatures like squirrels and hornbills to shy night animals creates curiosity without fear. The language is very simple and repetitive, which supports early readers and also works well for read-along participation. The sibling interaction keeps the tone warm and observational rather than instructional.

One tiny limitation for me is the fruit itself. Figs are not a common everyday fruit where I grew up, so as a child I may not have connected strongly with the central food. Some children may similarly find it unfamiliar. Still, this also opens space to discuss regional plants and foods, so the book can broaden ecological awareness. It is useful for introducing habitats and animal behaviour in an accessible way.

References

Bhasthi, D. (2024). Champi and the Fig Tree. Pratham Books.