Option 1 "I am going to meet a monster today." "Fortunately, it doesn't bite." "Unfortunately, that means it will just gobble you up." Option 2 "I jumped into the swimming-pool today." "Fortunately, the pool was heated." "Unfortunately, I cannot swim." "Fortunately, it was not … [Read more...]
I love limericks!
Limericks are fun! Very often, during a short session on creative writing, we work with limericks. They're good fun, sparking much conversation and laughter. Many, many children love limericks too - one of my students even wrote a short story in limericks, which is part of Flickering Flames - … [Read more...]
Reading Challenge at Clover Dale, Aurangabad
I put a ten-rupee coin into the bubblegum machine Soon, bubblegums flew out and hit my head! For a moment, I wondered; then I realised That I'd put a hundred-rupee coin into the machine instead! - adapted from a poem written in about seven minutes by one of the participants at yesterday's … [Read more...]
Vidya Valley Literature Festival
If you think children don't find reading interesting anymore, think again. At Vidya Valley School's Literature Festival, it was absolutely delightful to see children running around, roaring with excitement, thrilled to bits with the very idea of a lit fest! This was my second year at the festival, … [Read more...]
Creative Writing Workshop at The Story Station
Every time I work with children, I realise how much I enjoy it! They are much more imaginative than others, and much less inhibited. When The Story Station asked me to conduct a writing session with children over the age of eight, I knew it would be fun. For me, the highlight of the session … [Read more...]
The author in you
The Story Station turns two! The Story Station is a reading centre in Aundh, Pune, where adults and children can discover the love of books. A space that's always bursting with energy, it hosts all kinds of activities, revolving around reading, storytelling and creative … [Read more...]
Reflections: AFCC 2017
The first two days of the Asian Festival of Children' Content were the highlights for me, but sessions here and there stood out too. On the first day of the teachers' congress, I attended a lovely session on reading and empathy conducted by Maria Alessandrino. More than the first half of the … [Read more...]
Reflections: Day Two at AFCC 2017
This is probably the only time in my life when I signed a contract, committing to playing Illustrationary, the AFCC version of Pictionary, at a certain date and time. But when have I not enjoyed a game of Pictionary? I'm getting ahead of myself, though, because the highlight of the day was my book … [Read more...]
Reflections: Day One at AFCC 2017
When I went for the Asian Festival of Children's Content last year, I wondered when - and whether - I would go again. Yes, it was a wonderful experience, but Singapore ... Again ... Expensive, and all that. But my paper 'Writing about Us' was accepted through the call for entries and then, how could … [Read more...]
The Lit Bug Fest 2017
Do you see all the red marks? That's what I attended at the Lit Bug Fest yesterday! The first event of the day was a play written by a young girl and performed by Pushkar Rangmanch. A sweet story, performed with enthusiasm! A few months ago, I invited Leela Gour Broome to address the … [Read more...]
Reading Camp
A new set of children and a new set of activities ... I was invited to conduct a reading camp for children in a society, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly! From word search puzzles to skits and storytelling, we packed as much as we could into eight hours. As always, the children … [Read more...]
The Lit Bug Fest
How many of us are familiar with Bholu the guard-elephant, mascot of the Indian Railways? Join me on an exploration of a series of railway adventures that will take us on thrilling train journeys all over India. Every story is accompanied by a unique activity – ranging from jigsaw puzzles … [Read more...]
The month ahead
There's so much around the corner! This month, apart from all the regular workshops, I'm going to be part of The Lit Bug Fest! The Lit Bug Fest is a children's literary fest to be held on the 29th of April at Persistent Systems, Bhageerath, Senapati Bapat Road. It is an all-day event, and I'm … [Read more...]
Book Launch at Atta Galatta
Launching my railway adventures for children in a city in which I know very few children was bound to be a challenge, but it was such fun! The event began with a college friend who came to show her support - and she made my day. I hadn't met her for a decade, making her presence even more … [Read more...]
Reading Workshop and Book Launch in Bengaluru
I have two events coming up in Bengaluru this week - a book launch tomorrow, and a reading workshop on Saturday. I hope to see you there! Book Launch at Atta Galatta, Koramangala, Bengaluru Date: 9th March 2017 Time: 5:30 pm Open to all! Reading Workshop at Kids Collective, Jayanagar, … [Read more...]
Writing Workshops at Gurukul School
The British Library invited me to conduct writing workshops for the fourth and fifth standard students of Gurukul School, and what fun it was! A student of mine introduced me to a lovely activity that I improvised for the fourth standard. I handed out sheets of paper to groups of children, and … [Read more...]
Workshops at Symbiosis International School
I love the concept of the language week that is held at Symbiosis International School. The students organised a language quiz; they explored the cultures associated with different languages; they had competitions ... And I was invited my to conduct creative writing workshops for grade VIII. In … [Read more...]
AFCC 2017
Last year, I attended the Asian Festival of Children's Content for the first time because I was shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award. This year, I'll be attending it again--as a speaker! I'm speaking as part of a panel discussion titled "Writing about Us". Here's a little about … [Read more...]
The Reading Challenge is Back!
The Reading Challenge is back at the British Library, Pune, and this time, the theme is 'The Big Friendly Read'! Celebrating 100 years of Roald Dahl, we have a lovely collection of books as usual. Many feature Dahl characters that I fell in love with as a child, and of course, many others with the … [Read more...]
Journeys with Shakespeare
When I was asked to speak about Shakespeare at a gathering of school principals and English teachers, I was more than a little nervous. I borrowed and read books; I watched DVDs about his life; I pulled out notes from my Master's course on Shakespeare ... And I enjoyed myself thoroughly! Reading … [Read more...]
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