shyamala's world

Devika Carriapa is the winner of Bal Sahitya award for 2019.  She won the award for her nonfiction book -  India Through Archaelogy: Excavating History . Published by Tulika books, this mammoth nonfiction book of 160 pages is a wonderful reference material   for children of all ages. Devika shared her thoughts after winning the award instituted by Sahitya Akademi. Pic courtesy: tulikabooks.com                              . 1.Did you know about the Bal Sahitya awards before you won? Of course! And I’ve always felt that a national award that recognises children’s writing across languages and genres is something truly unique. 2. This is probably the first time that a non-fiction book has won the Bal Sahitya award. You are also the first archaeologist to win an award meant for authors who write for children. Your comments. I am delighted that the genre of non-fiction for chil...

Bhutan based author Evan Purcell is out with a new book on monsters. Published by Duckbill, this  middle grade book is a part of a series.Evan shared a few thoughts on his new creation, Karma Fights a Monster. You have been writing romances and horror for adults in the past. This is your first middle grade book. Why did you choose to write for a young audience instead of adults ? First of all, writing for grown-ups is a lot of fun. There are fewer rules, and there’s no limit to the content or tone. It’s really freeing. For me, though, I prefer writing YA and middle grade. Deep down, maybe I’m still a twelve-year-old. I find it easier to write about monsters and creatures than about more grown-up problems. Plus, I’m a teacher. I spend time with kids every day. I see the issues they face and the choices they make. I want them to have literature that they can learn from and relate to, literature that’s scary and funny, but always relatable. (Plus, I really like monsters.) ...

Mumbai based illustrator Shamika Chaves has brought out an exciting new activity book for kids. Filled with interesting trivia and countless indoor and outdoor activities, this nonfiction book is ideal for family bonding. Shamika shares info about her family, early influences and work. Tell us a bit about your family of artists. Are all of them into illustrating books? My great grandfather, the late Keshaorao Chudekar, was an artist and the first Indian headmaster at Sir J J School Of Art during the British era in the 1920s, his work is displayed at the Prince Of Wales museum in Mumbai. ‘After fishing’ is one of his most famous paintings. I never got a chance to meet him because he passed away before I was born but I grew up seeing and hearing about his work. My parents too pursued their degrees from Sir J J School of Art (they met during their college years, fell in love and soon got married) So I have a very art influential background, but neither of them were into childr...

                                                 The sequel to Malli is finally out.   Written by Jeeva Raghunath and Illustrated by Nancy Raj, Malli         is Coming is a picture book about gratitude and gifts. Malli was first published by Tulika in    2005. Jeeva and Nancy shared a few titbits about the book. Jeeva,Fourteen years is a long time for a book’s sequel. When did you finally start writing Malli’s sequel? What made you think it was time to write Malli’s sequel? I did send a few ideas in between but it didn’t work. That’s it, no deliberate reason! Again, I don’t plan, it happens. Why did you choose the 'return gift' idea as the book’s subject? What childhood memories do you have of gifts? No reason! I was in the flight, fast asleep. When I woke up, the spark happened and I wrote it. I sent...