Srinagar, June 23: The 7th edition of the Bookaroo Children’s Literature Festival concluded on Sunday with resounding success at Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar.
The event marked the two days of immersive literary delight for children and their families. The festival transformed the school grounds into a bustling hub of creativity and learning, attracting 4500 visitors over the weekend. Two days of literature, two days of reading, two days of books, two days of company with children, authors, illustrators, storytellers, and performers and two days of pure joy.
“This summed up the essence of the festival, where children eagerly rushed to various sub-venues to participate in their chosen sessions,” the organisers said in a statement. The event featured a vast array of programming, including sessions on managing emotions, Calypsos, Earth Care, Kamishibai (a Japanese form of storytelling), creative writing, uncovering history, learning about quilts and quilting, and reimagining with stories and art.
Festival Director Swati Roy expressed her delight at the success of the event and said that Srinagar has always been special for us ever since they began in 2011.
“Bringing the joy of books and reading to this city has never been more delightful. The turnout and enthusiasm of the children and their families were heartwarming. We thank our speakers, the publishers who supported us, and DPS Srinagar for being such gracious hosts,” she said. Sunanda Dhar, member of management committee at DPS Srinagar, also praised the festival’s positive impact and said that the Bookaroo has become an integral part of the school’s culture.
Principal of DPS Srinagar Shafaq Afshan while sharing her thoughts on the festival’s impact said that hosting Bookaroo has been a wonderful experience. “Seeing our students and children from the community so engaged and excited about literature is truly inspiring. It reinforces our commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning in our students,” she said.
Adding to the excitement, the festival featured several unique sessions. “What if Dinosaurs Came Back Today?” by Isha Nagar captivated young minds as they illustrated their thoughts on the doodle wall, imagining how dinosaurs would navigate modern challenges like climate change and pollution. In “3…2…1… Zoom,” Canato Jimo guided children in creating their own colorful galaxies and universes at the crafty corner, blending art with imagination.
At the auditorium, Nicholas Hoffland’s session, “Write a Story,” engaged children in the craft of storytelling, helping them think up and write stories that others would enjoy. Anupama Jain’s session explored the timeless appeal of stories, delving into how themes of love, friendship, hatred, and villainy resonate across generations.
Tanya Majmudar conducted a session on bird identification, encouraging children to observe and learn about the birds around them. Meanwhile, Sadaf Ashaq’s “A Splash of Fun” story session delighted young attendees with the adventures of Hugo, the baby hippo, making waves of excitement and unforgettable memories. Event Coordinator Syed Sumera highlighted the importance of such events in promoting literacy, “Bookaroo has provided an exceptional platform for children to interact with authors, illustrators, and storytellers, sparking their imagination and creativity..”
Bookaroo, a 15-year-old festival, is dedicated to spreading the joy of reading by bringing children and books together. It has visited 17 cities, including locations in Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and has completed 46 editions so far. Notably, it is a winner of the prestigious Literary Festival of the Year award at the London Book Fair.