How to promote children books in schools

The limited visibility in bookstores, public and private libraries have always been a dampener in creating awareness and selling children books. The need of the hour is to create multiple spaces where children can be encouraged to explore the world of books and develop a reading habit. Schools have always been a hub of reading challenges and activities. and are one of the spaces where ample opportunities can be created to turn  children into lifelong readers.

Veteran book promoter, editor of Rajhans publications and author of children books, Mr. Rajiv Tambe gave a few suggestions for children authors  and publishers to promote books in schools. 

        a)  If kids are not coming to books, take your books to them. Go to schools.

b)                  Connect with parents. Not only do they play an important role in the book buying process, they also influence other parents as they are connected through various social media. Ask schools to give you an opportunity to address parents on the days of Parent Teachers meetings.

c)                   It is difficult to approach children and sell books.  Give value addition to them. Create a passbook and ask them to log details about every book they have bought and read.  Offer surprise gifts to encourage their reading habit and reach new milestones.

d)                   When you go to a school for a book reading, narrate only half of the story and provide them an entry form.  Ask them to find the answers for the  questions in the form by reading your book, taking help from other people or the internet.   If you are promoting a book series, narrate only the first book  and encourage them to explore the remaining book  titles.

e)                  Tie up with schools  and ask them to provide a showcase/notice board to display covers of children books. Also display the list of children who have read the books mentioned on the board. This will not only create awareness about the existing and new children books, it will also encourage children to try reading books in new genres. This reading movement among children will definitely have a ripple effect and will be adopted in more schools.

f)                   Recognize the efforts of librarians and principals in promoting reading habits in schools and reward them with trophies and certificates.

To know more about Mr. Tambe and his books, visit www.rajivtambe.com