In Canada we take for granted indoor plumbing, fresh water and adequate sanitation. I had never really paused to think of how things are in other places around the world. Thanks to Andrée Poulin’s beautiful new illustrated novel in verse Burying the Moon, illustrated by Sonali Zohra, my eyes were opened to the conditions in places like India, they setting of the story.

Latika, a young girl in a small village in India takes readers through a trip to the Field of Shame. At night, the girls and women of the village must trek to the field to do the things that no one talks about but readers know she is alluding to relieving themselves. The worst is when the moon is out, the moon offers no privacy. The girls and women of the village are sad and mad and full of shame. The unsanitary conditions are causing the sickness and death of young children. There are no bathroom facilities at the school so girls have to leave when they reach the age of 12, coinciding with the arrival of their menstrual cycle. Latika is determined to change things when an engineer comes to the village from the city. Latika bravely makes a plan, knowing it could get her in terrible trouble and talks to the important man from the city about the things that no one talks about.

This moving story written completely in verse is so compelling. The pain and shame felt by the village women exudes from each stanza. Readers get a sense of what life is like for girls and women throughout the world and the vital importance to the health of everyone when proper sanitary conditions are maintained. Readers will also be inspired by the courage of Latika. She defies the village sarpanch, something that just isn’t done, and especially not done by a girl. She is inspired by the engineer and gathers up the courage to address the concerns of the village. Things may not change a whole lot, but to have proper toilets opens up a whole world of possibilities. Readers will feel Latika’s struggle as wrestles with the desire to talk to the engineer and the voices in the backround telling her not to because it’s wrong.

Andrée Poulin includes information to further explore this important issue at the end of the story as well as links for further reading. November 19th is World Toilet Day, a day to reflect on the privileges we have in North America and how we can help those who are fighting for something so basic as access to toilets.

The illustrations by Sonali Zohra are vivid in inspiring purple tones. There is a sparkle of sorts that runs through every illustration, through every page. It reminds me of a spark of courage or a great idea making it’s way into the minds and hearts of the villagers. Her art work has a dreamy quality and a feeling of inspiration.