If you are a young thing, it’s time for some literary thrills as the Bookaroo Children’s Book Festival is all set to kickstart today. From jamming session with Javed Jaffrey to discussing your “own” story with Gulzar saab, the festival promises buckets of fun. You can have a delectable breakfast with your favourite cartoon characters, listen to stories of fantasylands, get crafty, make imaginary boats and get your books signed by your favourite author.
After the astounding success of the first two years, Bookaroo is back in Delhi. It brings an array of celebrated children’s authors, illustrators, poets, performers and storytellers from around the world.
This well-attended event continues to grow and promises something new for everyone. You may meet your favourite illustrator, listen to them discuss their work or just grab the opportunity to talk to them about their inspiration.
The festival is packed with interactive and hands-on activities that will be run by the literary stars themselves. You can learn how to make your own pop-up from Robert Sabuda, grill Ruskin Bond while he is in the hot seat, chat with Anthony Horowitz about Alex Rider and his latest adventures and listen to Arjun Vajpai’s adventures on Mount Everest. And if that’s not enough, how about suggesting a new plot to J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter series? How would the story pick up? “The authors love to interact with children and get a point of view while storytelling. Random questions and wild imaginations of children are welcomed. They want children to share their delightful experience of reading and creative expression. Only then the purpose of organising such events gets accomplished,” said Manisha, commissioning editor.
“Bookaroo, now an annual event, held India’s first festival of children’s literature in Delhi in 2008. Plans are underway to bring the Children’s Literature Festival to smaller cities across India. It aims to create a space for promoting the excitement and importance of literature locally, regionally and globally to encourage cultural exchange and dialogue on education and development. Bookaroo strives to be inclusive and accessible. The events feature national and international authors in democratic settings,” she added. The precursor to the festival was held from November 14-25 where the literary stars held special activities in 25 schools across Delhi. Schools Day, exclusively for students and teachers, will be organised today. November 27-28 will see Bookaroo unleash unlimited fun at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.