News & Reviews

One Sachin’s autobiography launched by another Sachin!

Mehta Publishing House, Pune have published the title Hach Maza Marg in Marathi by Sachin Pilgaonkar – a renowned name in Indian film industry. On the occasion of celebrating Sachin’s 50 years in Indian film industry, an event – ‘Suvarn Sachin’ was organized in Mumbai, where the print edition of Hach Maza Marg was launched by ‘Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar while singer Sonu Nigam launched the e-book.

Many dignitaries from Marathi film industry & Bollywood were also present at the occasion – Amitabh Bachhan, Ashok Saraf, Sulochana Didi, Rajkumar Barjatya, Ramesh Sippy, Jackie Shroff to name a few.

AWIC organising ‘International Conference on Literacy Through Literature’

Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC), the Indian section of the International Board of Books for Young People (Indian BBY), is organising International Conference on Literacy Through Literature from February 06-08, 2014 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Three days of the literary conference will provide a platform for eminent authors, illustrators, educationalists, NGOs and researchers to highlight the importance of literature in promoting all around development of a child.

Themes and sessions to be carried out during the three-day conference would include The Importance of Literacy and the Role of Books – For Individuals, Communities and Societies; Creating the Right Literature in Steps to Literacy; Reaching Books Where There are None; The Role of NGOs; Technological Literacy; and Towards a Better Tomorrow. Each session will have a keynote presentation followed by panel discussion. And afternoon sessions will be devoted to book-related activities, workshops and storytelling for children. Inspiring exhibitions and displays will also be held throughout the day with some colourful cultural programmes to enliven the evenings each day during the conference.

As literacy is a global issue today, it has been commonly defined as proficiency in three Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic). And literacy has finally come to include technological, visual and other aspects, both in formal and non-formal ways. In this respect, AWIC is stepping forward to convey the fact that books and reading can play a crucial role in promotion and sustenance of literacy through its International Conference on Literacy Through Literature.

For more details contact at: info@awic.in

101 Indian Children Books We Love!

Edited By: Anita Roy & Samina Mishra
Publisher: Young ZUBAAN, An Imprint of Kali for Women, New Delhi
(Pp 161, ISBN 978 9381 01 71 04, Rs 195)

How about a book on the children books which are timeless and love by one and all? The book gives a glimpse into the finest children books written by Indian authors. The book is divided into five sections: 0-5 years, 5-10 years, 10-12 years, 12+ and reference sections. It is an invaluable guide to books in English, currently in print.

It is a must-have, one-stop shop for teachers, parents, kids, librarians, bookstores, or just anyone interested in children’s books.

Great Tales from India

Author: Manorama Jafa
Publisher: Khaas Kitaab Foundation,
New Delhi; Pp 52; US$5

India’s rich treasure of folktales and fables gives kids and young people a pleasure of reading as well as moral lessons which inspire the young minds. Great Tales from India is an exclusive collection of tales from mythology, folklore and history being designed in an ideal manner to convey the age-old wisdom of India to young readers. Retold by Manorama Jafa, one of India’s popular children book writers, collected tales in the book include The Prince and the Wounded Swan (From the life of Buddha); The Three Idols; The Parrot and the Tree; Arjun, The Flight of Pigeons; Kapil, the Reader; The Ant and the Pigeon; Two Brothers; The Monkey King; Who is Greater; The Brave Prince; The Gem in the Pond and Bhola and His Mother.

Author Manorama Jafa’s unique story telling style adds a modest element in every tale collected in Great Tales from India. She is currently secretary general of the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AEIC), New Delhi. So far, she has written 85 books that include varieties of titles ranging from novels, picture books up to books on popular science. She has been strongly taking part into the encouragement and development of new talents, pioneering a new movement for creative writing and better books for children in India.

Half Bad in 25 languages

Sally Green’s YA debut novel Half Bad was the ‘buzz’ book at this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Everyone was talking about it, everyone wanted it. The publisher Penguin Group has recently secured rights deals in a staggering 25 languages for this novel. The landmark 25th deal was struck with Norwegian publisher Cappelen Damm.