Bookaroo… Reconnects Children With The World Of Literature

Nearly two years after the last Festival,the 13th edition of Bookaroo was successfully held at the open and green surroundings of the National Rail Museum, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi recently. This year’s edition, like always, won the hearts of young book enthusiasts along with visitors of all ages. The book lovers aged 4-14 years participated in various sessions and workshops. There were engrossing storytelling, workshops, poetry, art & craft, and author interaction sessions. The major highlight this year was ‘The Wall of Healing’ – an ongoing activity where children expressed their anguish, pain, and wounds guided by artists and illustrators.

“This 13th edition of Bookaroo took longer than we had expected when we signed off in 2019. Much has changed in the world since then. As each one of us slowly emerge from an unprecedented situation that left hardly anybody unscathed in its wake, we see hope. Hope in the fact that 46 speakers unhesitatingly agreed to participate in Bookaroo 2021 at such short notice – many of them travelling from other parts of the country. So, we thought it was time to bring some normalcy back into the lives of our children. Bookaroo Delhi 2021 is a tribute to that thought,” shared Swati Roy, co-founder and festival director, Bookaroo Children’s Literature Festival.

It took just 45 days to convert this wonderful thought into a buzzing reality, with 46 speakers joining in from all over the country to participate in 48 sessions for two days.

“We would like to thank authors, illustrators, storytellers, sponsors, arts councils, publishers, our partners, designers, volunteers, friends, and the parents who said, “Go ahead!”.

We thank you all on behalf of the children of Delhi. This edition was a big hit in many ways,” said M Venkatesh, co-founder and festival director, Bookaroo Children’s Literature Festival.

-Smita Dwivedi…..