Today’s kids are looking beyond the standard best selling material available in various bookstores.
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OPTIONS GALORE:
Children today have a variety of books
and authors to chose from
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WHO said that today’s kids confine their reading to books like the Harry Potter series or the Chronicles of Narnia? A little research makes it easy to discover that the children are looking at all kinds of fiction that have invaded the books’ mart in recent times. Books like those written by Enid Blyton might have become antiquated — at least, in most cases — but the kids are happily excavating many new options that are currently available. Hear Sharan Biradar, Senior Manager at a leading bookstore, “In the past two years, the sales of children’s books have gone really up. The variety of books available for a young adult is amazing, be it an international bestseller like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series or our own Indian Harry Potter version in the form of Portion of Eternity by Sonja Chandrachud." Chandrachud’s way of writing is simple, and her stories are peopled by powerful sorcerers, yogis, vampires and witches. Deepak Dalal’s books on adventure and wildlife are really enjoyed by children, and he is popular for his books – Andaman Adventure -I, The Jarawa and its sequel, Andaman Adventure-II, Barren Island, Troubled Islands.
Janaki Visvanath, owner of a bookstore, says, “Children today are voracious readers. When they enjoy reading a particular author, they do come back for more time and again.” 
Many children love reading fantasy and science fiction stories. As Chandrachud explains, “The child prefers reading Captain Underpants and Artemis Fowl. That is because they identify with the heroes, the narrative style is more contemporary, more hip hop, snazzy and speaks their language. They also prefer reading stories that address issues without preaching or sermonising and with a sense of humour.” Chetan Joshi, children’s book writer, feels that pictures, graphics and interactive characters work really well with children. “They should have the potential to be made into an animated series or games.” What other qualities does a kids’ book need to be a hit with the children? Siddhartha Sarma, winner of an award for his book The Grasshopper’s Run, answers, “Children mainly look out for the plot. The style of writing though is not very critical. Re-tellings of myths are also loved by the children.”
Many children love reading fantasy and science fiction stories. As Chandrachud explains, “The child prefers reading Captain Underpants and Artemis Fowl. That is because they identify with the heroes, the narrative style is more contemporary, more hip hop, snazzy and speaks their language. They also prefer reading stories that address issues without preaching or sermonising and with a sense of humour.” Chetan Joshi, children’s book writer, feels that pictures, graphics and interactive characters work really well with children. “They should have the potential to be made into an animated series or games.” What other qualities does a kids’ book need to be a hit with the children? Siddhartha Sarma, winner of an award for his book The Grasshopper’s Run, answers, “Children mainly look out for the plot. The style of writing though is not very critical. Re-tellings of myths are also loved by the children.”
So, which are the books that children come back for again and again? Janaki says, “Among the international books, the Wimpy kid series, Percy Jackson series, the Red Pyramid from the Kane Chronicles are the favourites. From the Indian bag, it’s The Bird with Golden Eye and Wise and Otherwise by Sudha Murthy and Pune’s very own Deepak Dalal’s Sahyadri Adventure are admired by the teens as well.” Many books. That many options. All those kids who wish to explore beyond the obvious have countless choices at their disposal. Is your child one of them?
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