shyamala's world

Award winning children's author Rajee Raman is out with a book for Scholastic India. A collection of 12 unique and engaging stories from across the world, The Secret of Fire And Other Folktales  is not just for children of 8-12 years, but also teens and adults who love folktales.                                                1.Was this book commissioned to you? I suggested the idea to the publisher. 2. Which is your favourite story from the book? I like all the stories, as they deal with themes that are timeless and resonate across cultures – love and loss, pride, selfishness, resourcefulness, courage, and self-sacrifice. Having said that, I must confess that How Glooskap Tamed the Wind (a legend of the Wabenaki tribes of Canada) holds a special place in my heart. This story describes an encounter between Glooskap, a legendary hero, and Wuchowsen, the giant wind-...

What makes me Me ? is a nonfiction picture book by Poorva Agrawal from the house of Tulika. In early 2019  Tulika Books invited ideas from the public for a series of nonfiction picture books.  The creators of selected ideas were asked to attend a workshop in Chennai.  What makes me Me? by Poorva Agarwal was one of the books which emerged out of the workshop which was held in association with the Parag Trust. Big bold and colourful illustrations by Maithili Joshi makes thIs book encourages children to think and discuss what makes them unique from others.  Picture Courtesy : Poorva Agarwal . 1. How much of this book was inspired by your two kids? The book was not inspired by my children at all actually! It was inspired by a curriculum that we were trying to create in a school called Akshara Vidyaashram in Cuddalore, where I used to teach.  The very first verse, however, is totally based on conversations about evolution, wit...

Prize winning children's author Khyrunnisa is out with a new book for kids. Titled The Lizard of Oz and Other Stories, the book is a collection of engaging and well written humorous stories. Khyrunnisa shares her  thoughts on this new release from Scholastic India. 1.The title is intriguing.  When and how did the title flash into you?           I love playing with words and while thinking up a story that has a lizard as the main character, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ came to my mind and changing ‘wizard’ to ‘lizard’ was but natural. This is a story that I started with only the title ready. I had to think up a suitable plot after that.  Most people are allergic to lizards and snakes. What is your equation with lizards and snakes to make them into  protagonists for your short stories ?           I wanted to write stories about animals and creatures that people aren...

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...

1.Do you love hockey a lot? The last picture book you wrote for Pratham books was centred around Hockey. A Tsunami Called Naani also has a bit of hockey. I love all sports and enjoy writing about them.  Three novels and several award winning short stories of mine have sports as the central theme. 2.                   Apart, from writing books, conducting parenting workshops has been one of your priorities? Why? During the time of our parents and grandparents parenting was no big deal. In fact in almost all cases it was a shared responsibility. Since then the onslaught of change has created a new society, a new culture and a new value system.   The responsibility of bringing up the child now rests squarely on the parents with little support available from paid help or family. This apart, the expectations of the parents from the child and vice versa have increased phenomenal...

 Khyrunnisa A is the author of five books in the Butterfingers series. Published by Penguin, the book series has been a great hit with children and adults alike. Kahani Takbak spoke to Khyrunnisa to  know more about  her latest book,  Run,It's Butterfingers again .                                 1. The goofiness of Butterfingers never seems to end.   How challenging is it to keep the goofiness of Butterfingers as a character of five books? Since the character is very firmly etched in my mind and I’m very comfortable writing about him, it’s not difficult to maintain the goofiness. It comes naturally. 2.       Even though there are no school going kids at home, you have managed to capture the pulse of a school that today’s children can relate to.  How do you research for your stories? Are you dipping into your observations made by i...