Author : Nina Sabnani
Illustrator : Nina Sabnani
Muchu the merchant has to work with numbers all the time – but without ‘zero’ it is so very difficult! Arising from an animation film, the story is a well-researched fictional take on how zero came to be used in mathematical calculations. It goes centuries back to Takshashila in northwestern India, where the concept is said to have originated. The people of the time – trade, architecture, dress, dyes, and so on – were also studied for authenticity in the film, which carries into the illustrations. Earthy colours and textures on birchbark backdrops provide a vivid complement to the text.
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| Age | 6+ |
| Specifications | 24 pages; 10.5” x 8.25”; full colour; soft cover |
| Translator | V. Saraswathi |
| ISBN | 81-86896-15-5 |
| First Published | 2000 |
Appeals to all ages
"Narrated in the form of a folktale, the book is reminiscent of the oral tradition of storytelling... Another interesting feature of the book is the presence of 'Wordbirds'. Though in English, the story uses many Sanskrit/Hindi words. The Wordbirds explain unfamiliar words and ideas, helping the reader develop a multi-lingual vocabulary. The illustrations also are notable for their authenticity... This along with simple storytelling techniques make the book interesting. Though ideal for six to ten year olds, the book has an appeal that is bound to cut across all age barriers." - March 2000, The New Indian Express
Beautifully designed
"All About Nothing is a creditable attempt to introduce children to this momentous discovery (of zero)... A fictional retelling, it tries to touch upon not only the mathematical but also the philosophical concept of nothing or shunya... At the same time, it is a beautifully designed book and we are told that birch bark or bhojpatra has been used as backdrop to give children a feel of the period." - June 2000, Indian Review of Books