SRINAGAR: Bookaroo, the Festival of Children’s Literature, will return to Srinagar on November 1 with its eighth edition, bringing 11 authors, storytellers and artists from seven cities across India to Delhi Public School (DPS), Athwajan, for a day of interactive literary and creative activities.
Organised in collaboration with the DP Dhar Memorial Trust, the festival will run from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm under the theme “Where Books Come Alive”. It will feature 22 sessions designed for children aged four to 14, combining storytelling, music, drama, illustration, art and hands-on activities to encourage reading and creative expression.
The participating speakers include acclaimed storyteller and author Jeeva Raghunath; award-winning storyteller and design thinker Dr Priyanka Chatterjee, popularly known as Golpodidi; educator and author Radhika Suri; children’s author and editor Mala Kumar; and Vinitha, whose stories have found their way into textbooks.
The line-up also includes artists and storytellers Asuma Noor and Likla; artist Roshni Vyam, whose work draws on the knowledge systems of the Pardhan Gond community; Sara Basu Vetteth, founder of the RainbowFish visual arts programme; Malvika Kathpal of PETA India; and author and illustrator Pankaj Saikia, known for his picture books, comics and graphic novels.
The programme will cover a wide range of subjects, from nature, history and adventure to art, animal compassion and self-acceptance. Sessions such as “Nothing Is as It Seems”, “Twisty Tales and Talking Animals”, “The Magical Mangroves”, “Mountains of Adventure” and “The Green Detective” will use stories and interactive activities to introduce children to new ideas and experiences.
Creative sessions will allow participants to explore visual expression through activities including “My Robot Friend”, “It’s a ‘Sun’day” and “Birds That Don’t Exist, Yet”. The programme is intended to accommodate different age groups and interests, combining entertainment with opportunities to learn, question and create.
Besides the scheduled sessions, the festival will feature creative spaces, a doodle wall, a bookshop and a signing area where children can interact with authors and discover books. A dedicated PETA Point will focus on kindness and compassion towards animals through engaging activities.
Entry to the festival is free, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance registration is encouraged, particularly for workshops with limited seating. The event will be held on the DPS Srinagar campus at Athwajan.
Bookaroo’s eighth Srinagar edition seeks to make literature an engaging experience for young readers by bringing them into direct contact with writers, illustrators and storytellers. Through its mix of literary sessions and creative activities, the festival aims to encourage children to develop a lasting interest in books while nurturing imagination, critical thinking and cultural awareness.
