Look, what's in store!

Bookstores are no longer passive spaces that merely stack books. They're out to attract kids to reading through a host of innovative activities We've just celebrated another World Book Day; what have we done differently this year to stoke and sustain children's love for books? “Did you see the big tree?” Sriram and Deepak ask me excitedly. I nod in reply. “I think,” says Deepak, “the artist must have been a very big person, how else could he have reached up there?” The boys, both ten-year-old and good friends, are admiring a beautiful, nearly 20-ft high mural of a tamarind tree, the work of Gond artist Bhajju Shyam. We are at Book Building, a purpose-built cultural space in Tiruvanmiyur, conceptualised by Tara Books, where, as Gita Wolf, the director says, “Conversations around books can happen.” The walls fittingly bristle with wonderful book exhibits; murals transform pillars from mere support structures into exquisite works of art. “Did you see the Rajini book, da,” Deepak suddenly asks Sriram, and they run off to spot their hero. On the very day it was launched, the Book Building took Sriram and Deepak on a magical book journey. They admired several picture books on display, thumbed through others kept for sale, and promised to buy a few colourful ones for themselves. And it made me wonder — would any of this have happened in a ‘regular' bookstore? Then again, bookstores are no longer passive spaces, with shelves groaning with books and a complacent ‘take-it-or-leave-it' attitude. Fully aware of the formidable competition — every digital contraption that fires kids' imagination and enslaves them — they come up with innovative ideas to lure kids back to the delightful world of books. Consider this impressive line-up: Oxford Bookstore organises not just regular book launches and story-telling sessions but also hands-on clay-modelling sessions and arts and crafts workshops. Landmark's children's book launches include celebrities; they recently organised (along with Pogo Mad) the Young Artist Hunt; and their quizzes are, of course, legendary. Senses and sensibilities It's, understandably, not an easy war to wage against technology, given that it effortlessly stimulates the senses; and after all the seeing, scoring, screaming, touching and feeling, a plain black-and-white book can be a bit of a let-down. “Today's children need a little zing,” says Chandni Khanna, director, Hippocampus Centre, a children's library, in Indra Nagar. Which is why their book events involve something ‘more than just a simple reading'. “For all parents who feel their kids don't read enough, authors and events make a difference, as the kids get curious about the book and pick it up,” says Chandni. Last weekend saw author Hema Vaidyanathan (of “Amma's Tales”) dramatise her stories drawn from Indian mythology, accompanied by a drummer. The kids simply loved it, says Chandni, and many went on to buy the books. Bhavani Ramamurthi, mother of Manasa (an avid reader, who enjoys a wide range of books) says she makes it a point to visit bookshops and book events with her daughter. “Manasa has always seen me and my husband retiring to bed with a book; we don't watch television at all. Naturally, she too fell in love with books,” says Bhavani. “It is very important that kids are in an atmosphere where others are reading,” says Chandni. At the library, she sees children discussing characters from the books they are reading, which arouses the interest of the onlookers. Vidya Shankar, mum of 3-year-old Pranav, says she's pinning her hopes on such events to inspire her son. “When I grew up, my granny was around to tell me stories; I was so addicted to them that when I learnt to read, I automatically picked up books. In my son's case — even though my husband and I do read out to him — I think he gets more excited when there is music or dancing, and other kids participating.” “Just reading out from a book or plain story-telling is no longer enough,” agrees Chandni. “When we started off, our biggest competitor was television. So we now use technology to beat technology, and drag kids back to books. We have X-box, projectors and the i-Pad at Hippocampus. Kids can get on them, but when the timed-activities end, they simply curl up with a book!' Crafty yes, but anything goes, really, to get children to give books another chance… Give books a second chance Chandni: Look beyond just reading out from a book; put some wow factor into the exercise by incorporating animated story-telling, crafts, dramatisation and music. Vidya: Beg or borrow good storytellers, preferably patient grandparents. Mythology is already so dramatic; all it needs is a great voice to give it life. Bhavani: Start book clubs, especially for teens. They will not only be exposed to different genres, but gain confidence (as speakers) when they discuss the books with peers.