Question: You are a film-maker by training and profession. What brings you to children’s books?Samina Mishra: I came to children’s books via a film that I was hoping to make but didn’t. That turned into Hina in the Old City (that Eklavya has now republished as Hina in Purani Dilli), my first book for children.
These six books provide a glimpse into what is being written for children in Hindi today. Three of the writers—Sushil Shukla, Prabhat and Manoj Jha have already made their place in contemporary Hindi literature (for adults).
Naram Garam Dosti is a gentle children’s picture book. The story doesn’t follow a traditional pattern of introduction—problem—crescendo—resolution (or any other common pattern, for that matter). It is a slice-of-life story, highlighting the life and experiences of the main characters, and making several important points along the way—but never hitting you over the head with them.
Sarveshwar Dayal Saxena and his poems have long overwhelmed generations of children and adults alike. This fresh compilation of his most twisted yet savoury poems, with the title set to be pondered over Kitaabon Mein Billi Ne Bachhe Diye Hain, is a literary treat for all.
The illustrative children’s book by Gulzar and Shaw opens a pandora’s box of curious questions and intriguing/thought-provoking responses. The book is a collection of Gulzar’s column ‘Agar-magar’ in Chakmak (the monthly children’s magazine published by Eklavya) and is enriched by illustrations by Allen Shaw. The dialogic writing style combines poetic overtones, opening up new avenues to fuel children’s curiosity to know more, to know better.
In life, we stumble upon stories of many kinds — stories that terrify us, stories that entertain us, stories that make us cry, stories that make us love. The entire world is just an amalgamation of stories, in the form of books, art, people, music. Some stories, however, leave an indelible mark on us. They inflict an emotion so profound upon us that we may spend our entire lives attempting to describe their impact and only fail.