Queen’s four-octaved legend Freddie Mercury’s journey to fame was not easy. As a child, Mercury was bullied for his overbite and called names like Bucky. However, once he began singing, he never looked back. This journey of a bullied child, channelling his fears and energy into music, is what children’s author Shyamala Shanmugasundaram’s new book, Under Pressure (Perky Parrot), is all about.

Freddie Mercury was bullied as a child for his teeth. Illustrations Courtesy/Pankaj Saikia