The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a Changing India, and a Hidden World of Art

As a child in his poor village in South Asia’s Punjab region, Nek Chand found every opportunity to create art from salvaged materials. Partition in 1947 forced Chand to leave his home for the modern Indian city of Chandigarh, “a sharp-edged city of colorless concrete.” Seeking to create a home more like the one he left, Chand constructed a hidden forest sanctuary from stones and discarded objects, which he would keep secret for 15 years. Though Chand’s kingdom was eventually discovered, the community embraced his artistry, despite ongoing threats to demolish it. Chand’s quiet resolve comes through strongly in Nivola’s understated paintings, and a dramatic gatefold reveals photographs of his kingdom today. Rosenstock’s gratifying story conveys how art has the capacity to revitalize and restore. An author’s note shares additional details about Chand, his creation, and the ongoing struggle to preserve it. Ages 7–10. Author’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Feb.)