The Fire Walker

What does a child do when they are thrust into the role of a caregiver for a parent?

Velan is worried about his father’s health. Lately, he struggles with even simple tasks. Today is the eighteenth day of the big festival, and his appa insists on participating in the grand fire-walking ceremony, the theemithi. Appa tries to reassure Velan that he can walk across the fiery coals, but Velan isn’t convinced. On the way to the temple, Velan wonders if Appa will be able to cross safely. What if he stumbles and hurts himself? At the theemithi, as Velan’s fears come true, a brave new fire walker emerges.

Set in a small Tamil fishing village in Sri Lanka, this picture book is a testament to the power of faith and love as a child copes with their parent’s chronic illness.