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Folktales, since time immemorial have been a source of knowledge, cultural beliefs and practices and most importantly, entertainment. Leaving an indelible mark on people’s memories and consciousness, folktales have played the role of a teacher before books, television, internet and other modern technological inventions took the human race by storm. Brief, secular in nature and a repository of knowledge and culture, folktales have had a strong appeal for the masses. The cover page consists of a montage of illustrations from different stories in the anthology with the title written on the silhouette of the leaf of a Peepal tree, symbolizing antiquity and eternity, very much like these folktales.

The play Children of the Magic Pen is an AWIC (Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children) production collectively written by the authors was completed under the guidance of Feisal Alkazi, the eminent theatre personality. This play was conceptualized and performed as part of a three day Conference on Children’s Libraries: Building a Book Culture. The play depicts the meaningful quest and the journey in itself as its major narrative for both the readers and the characters. When we read the play, we are not just introduced to myriad characters across time and space, but we also see them come alive and relive once again in our memories.

In the collection titled Rangbhari Kahaniyan the themes and content of the stories are organized to generate interest and motivate the readers to explore the books. Characters are depicted in enabling and varied roles. As illustrations, there are characters such as Ambrish and Pooja, siblings who take a lot of interest in playing and working together. In ‘Kouli Aur Ouli’, two friends Kouli and Ouli think of an imaginative way of doing something and helping each other.

Kaua Aur Hans, which revolves around the question ‘Who is more beautiful’, has a simple plot, meant for early readers and all bird lovers.

Another beautiful story, based on the theme of inclusion is Pahiyon Ka Jadoo. Values have been woven in the story in a subtle manner through the characters of Sahil, Priya and her friends. It gives an opportunity to and encourages positive thinking towards our friends.

Stories like Chutaku Aur Mutuku, Kaua Aur Hans and Golu And Deepu revolve around a small event, a happening or an object which small children would find very interesting. Events have been explored from children’s perspective. With familiar contexts and character names the stories are situated in contexts that children can relate and identify with.