Calgary author releases children’s book about Punjabi pioneer Harnam Singh Hari

Red Barn Books Inc. is releasing the third children's book in a series about early Alberta settlers, and this one features Calgary's first Sikh immigrant.

Calgary author Kelly Kaur has released an illustrated children’s book about Canada’s little-known Punjabi pioneer Harnam Singh Hari.

The book, called Howdy, I’m Singh Hari, was released by Red Barn Books Inc. on April 1 as a kickoff off to Sikh Heritage Month.

It’s geared towards kids from seven to 10 years old.

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While it’s Kaur’s first children’s book, it’s the third in a series by Red Barn Books looking at historical Alberta figures – the first was Howdy, I’m John Ware, and the second was Howdy, I’m Flores Ladue.

Kaur worked with author and publisher Ayesha Clough to edit the Flores Ladue book, and says the two came up with the idea of highlighting someone with Punjabi and Sikh heritage who was an early Alberta settler.

“I was drawn to Singh Hari,” said Kaur. “He was the first (Sikh to immigrate to) Calgary around 1910, and when I did the research on his story and his life, I was immediately drawn to it – and still am – because it’s quite a fascinating, wonderful story of a pioneer and an immigrant”

“1910 in Calgary, imagine the scene to see this big Sikh man,” she said. “This man on his horse or his wagon and being with his children, grandchildren and being with them is such a such a unique sight in perception to think of pioneers in Calgary back then.”

“As an immigrant myself, I can sense or feel some of those challenges, not as many as him, but that spirit of wanting to succeed and do your best.”

Kaur is of Punjabi and Sikh heritage, and spent months online researching Hari and his journey that landed him in Calgary.

“I went to the bookstore, and I could not find a single book with a Sikh character in it,” she said. “You know it made me sad because I think everyone should be equally reflected, and of course, literature and books are so crucial and important, especially for children.”

Kaur also learned that Hari’s descendants are still farming in the High River area, and she met Hari’s great-granddaughter Kamla Hari McGonigal, who is in her 70s.

“She was very proud of him,” Kaur said. “She would share stories about her great-grandfather with his wagon and how he only like wearing coveralls – he had two pairs, the nice one and the one for the farm – and how he like baler twine – he fixed everything with that – so these were the inside stories that was wonderful to have a family member to talk to instead of trying to find it all online.”

The book was illustrated by Edmontonian Ravina Toor, who says it was the first children’s book that she’s worked on.

Toor collaborated with Kaur and the publisher to come up with all the pictures in the book.

“It was something that was completely out of the norm for me,” she said. “I would love to, in the near future, illustrate more children’s books, but I was honored to be brought on for this project and I’m grateful that they took a chance on me.”

While Toor was born and grew up in Edmonton, she is also of Punjabi and Sikh heritage, and says she didn’t have any role models to look up to as a child on tv or in the movies.

“We never saw someone that looked like us, so now to be living in a day and age where we see so much representation and so much diversity for the generation that’s growing up, to for them to be also seen, I think is so important,” she said.

Kaur says she’s very happy with how the book turned out.

“Most people are not aware or know enough about Sikhism or Sikh characters,” she said.

“So to have a story about a pioneer, a Canadian, a Sikh, a man with a turban becomes relevant and important because once we know who we are, then we realize we’re all the same right, we are Canadians and then we honor and respect and celebrate each other’s achievements.”