“When a child identifies with characters in books written by Indian authors, it speaks volumes.”
Children’s stories, whether through the soft-spoken tales of grandmothers or well-loved classics, form a pivotal part of our early reading experiences. From the genius of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” to the comical Suppandi in Tinkle, narratives have woven rich inner worlds for children across generations.
Behind these cherished stories, writers carefully craft plots to captivate young minds, artists labour over illustrations, and publishers strive to entice parents seeking fresh tales.
“We have 180 years of children’s literature, originating from the British-established school book societies,” says Shailaja Menon, editor and writer.
Over the past 30 years, India’s landscape of children’s literature has expanded significantly. Editor-journalist Sandhya Rao notes, “It’s a good time to assess and critically evaluate this growth.”
Together with Shailaja, she co-edited Children’s Books: An Indian Story, a compilation of essays examining the evolution of children’s literature in India. The book addresses issues such as the need for free libraries and books for children with special needs, featuring diverse voices like V Geetha, Sowmya Rajendran, and Mridula Koshy.
Amrita Patwardhan of Tata Trusts points out the challenges: “Children’s literature is often overlooked in education, with the market and government investments lagging, particularly in regional languages.”
Publishing Scene in Chennai
Chennai has witnessed significant growth in independent publishing houses such as Karadi Tales, Tulika Books, and Tara Books. Each publisher has experimented with forms, merging folk tales with tribal art and addressing local realities.
Radhika Menon, founder of Tulika Books, highlights the influx of diverse themes over the past decade: “Sports, history, science, adventure stories, and science fiction have all found their place.” She emphasises that books should spark curiosity and awareness in children, fostering sensitivity and reflection.
Reading benefits imagination, vocabulary, and emotional life, according to Shailaja. Sandhya adds, “When a child identifies with characters in books written by Indian authors, it speaks volumes.”
Despite the growth, access remains uneven. Sandhya notes the persistent divide between literacy and literature in India, affecting children’s access to books.
With the rise of digital media, Amrita reflects on its impact: “Digital formats are growing, but physical books still hold value for deep reading.”
A TNPS post about India would not be a TNPS post without me adding that India is the most exciting publishing prospect on the planet, and much of that excitement is about the children’s books sector.
Credit to Archita Raghu at the New Indian Express for the story.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
