16th Delhi Book Fair draws attention of young readers

NEW DELHI - The ongoing 16th Delhi Book Fair has drawn the attention of many young readers, as the publishers have set up their stalls here with a wide range of titles of children literature and games for the weeklong event.

Out of 260 publishers and distributors participating in the fair, around 100 have set up stalls with special focus on children literature including the famed Children Book Trust, National Book Trust and Scholastics among others.

Parents were buying educational-cum-fun books for their tiny scholars including toddlers.

A couple of stalls have stacked a wide range of mind games for the younger lot.

“Well, I have two sons. One is eight and one is four. I have been picking up couple of books, like the ‘Barney Book (series)’, about his visit to the grocery or the restaurant. So that the children know when they go to a place and how they are expected to behave and what all they will see around,” said Monika Singh, a visitor.

The venue is spread over 6,000 square metres and several stalls have made special arrangements like literary workshops to attract the younger lot.

“Here I liked books on Hindi, English and Mathematics. Those are the ones, on Hindi and English, which I am going to buy because they are the easiest,” said Rhea Tiku, nine-year-old visitor at the fair.

The organisers have provided ample space for children to explore and buy their choices.

“The reason behind it is that all parents want their children to read and that is why there is an increase in the number of children’s books in the market. Demand is increasing and that is why the publishers are bringing out books and we find that children books are selling quite well and publishers are happy,” said Shakti Malik, the Delhi Book Fair Director.

The Rural India is the theme chosen for this edition of Book Fair where publications from country’s interiors have been put up for visitors.

A concurrent event, the 12th Stationery Fair 2010, is also on at an adjoining hall of the Book Fair, where one can opt for office and personal stationery items as well as teaching aids.

Only two countries have participated in the Book Fair, Pakistan and China, out of which the former is yet to arrive at the fair.

The weeklong event will conclude on January 2. (ANI)