Book review | CLI – the Colt: A children’s novel for everyone

CLI is an unnaturally handsome horse residing on the serene hills of Madumalai where his friends and family earn a living by giving rides to tourists. CLI, however, has bigger dreams. He wants to be like his grandfather who served the Kings at the Mysooru palace. There are a number of challenges ahead of him because the Mysooru palace lies on the other side of the thick forest where dangerous elements lay in wait. Does it make it through the hardships to reach his dream? How welcoming is his dream destination really? That’s what CLI-the Colt by Kling Johnson is about.

I took up a children’s book for a change. After just completing the Crescent City series by Sarah J Maas, this book was a 360⁰ transition but I loved every minute of the easy flowing, simple book that has been written with carefully chosen words and sequences keeping in mind the young audience – to both entertain and educate them.

Kling Johnson has created a world that is easily connectable because we’ve all heard of the hills of Ooty, Reserve forest of Madumalai and the grand Mysooru Palace. What is interesting is, he has amalgamated the distinct human and animal worlds in a way that feels completely natural and conveys the co-existence message with ease. There are also humanitarian messages sprinkled here and there in the story, making it a good recommendation for kids.

In fact, the book is also a worthwhile read for adults because Mr.Johnson provides a glorious overview of Mysore during the Dasara festival from CLI’s point of view. There is also an engaging description of the Mysore palace, royal proceedings, protocols, cultural elements etc that are very informative. The second half of the book (spoiler ahead) after CLI makes his way to the Mysore palace and gets chosen to carry the King himself during the Dasara procession is an impressive display of the cultural heritage of Mysore. There’s so much one can learn from the sequence and hence the book is also a rich heritage document.

CLI’s story is made interesting by the many characters he meets throughout his journey. Mr. Johnson has designed the animal characters such that even the most misunderstood ones can be perceived as loving and lovable by young readers. The plethora of elements that CLI discovers during his journey through the unforgiving forest of Madumalai are a feast to the imagination, as are the elements of Mysore Dasara. ‘CLI-the Colt’ is hence a highly recommendable read for young readers as there are a number of elements that can induce positive outlooks towards life, animals and heritage in them.

Mr.Johnson is also a film maker alongside an author- his movie of social relevance titled ‘Dvamdva’ was what introduced me to him. I must say, I’m glad to be acquainted with the likes of him who hand-pick socially impactful topics and make works of art with them. The world is a better place with them in it.