Srinagar, Oct 24 (JKNS): The magic of stories is set to return to the Valley as Bookaroo, the much-loved Festival of Children’s Literature, comes to Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar, Athwajan, on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Organised in collaboration with the D.P. Dhar Memorial Trust, the eighth Srinagar edition promises a vibrant celebration of books, storytelling, art and imagination, bringing together young readers and some of India’s most engaging literary and creative voices.
With the theme “Where Books Come Alive,” Bookaroo aims to nurture a love for reading while encouraging children to explore ideas, express themselves creatively and discover the limitless possibilities of their imagination.
The festival will welcome children aged 4 to 14 years for an enriching day of interactive sessions, storytelling, creative workshops and literary experiences.
This year’s festival will feature 11 speakers from seven cities across India, with a diverse programme of 22 sessions designed to engage children through stories, music, drama, illustration, art and hands-on activities. The programme will cater to different age groups, ensuring that children with varied interests and creative inclinations find something exciting to explore.
The participating speakers include Jeeva Raghunath, an acclaimed storyteller and author; Dr Priyanka Chatterjee, popularly known as Golpodidi, an award-winning storyteller and design thinker; Radhika Suri, educator, author and nature enthusiast; Mala Kumar, children’s author and editor; Vinitha, whose stories have received recognition and found their way into textbooks; Asuma Noor, an artist and storyteller inspired by nature; Likla, known for her interest in colour and art; Roshni Vyam, an artist whose work draws upon the living knowledge systems of the Pardhan Gond community; Sara Basu Vetteth, founder of the RainbowFish visual arts programme; Malvika Kathpal of PETA India; and Pankaj Saikia, author and illustrator of picture books, comics and graphic novels.
The festival’s thoughtfully curated sessions will take children on journeys across a wide range of themes. From “Nothing Is as It Seems” and “Twisty Tales and Talking Animals” to “The Magical Mangroves,” “Mountains of Adventure” and “The Green Detective,” the programme promises to blend entertainment with discovery. Children will also have opportunities to explore art and visual storytelling through activities such as “My Robot Friend,” “It’s a ‘Sun’day” and “Birds That Don’t Exist, Yet.” Sessions on self-acceptance, history, nature and animal compassion will further encourage young participants to look at the world with curiosity and empathy.
In addition to storytelling and interactive sessions, the festival will feature creative spaces, a doodle wall, a bookshop and a signing area where children can discover books and engage with participating authors. A dedicated PETA Point will invite children to learn about kindness and compassion towards animals through engaging activities.
The programme is scheduled to run from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with individual sessions organised across designated activity spaces on the DPS Srinagar campus. Entry to the festival is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. Advance registration is encouraged, particularly for workshops with limited seating.
Bookaroo’s return reinforces the importance of making reading an enjoyable, interactive and memorable experience for children. By bringing authors, illustrators, storytellers and young readers together, the festival seeks to create an environment where books become a gateway to creativity, critical thinking, cultural understanding and lifelong learning.
As Srinagar prepares to welcome another edition of this celebrated literary festival, Bookaroo at DPS Srinagar promises to be more than a day of stories, it will be an invitation for children to imagine boldly, ask questions, discover new worlds and develop a lasting connection with books. (JKNS)
Event Details:
• Event: Bookaroo – Festival of Children’s Literature 2026
• Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Venue: Delhi Public School Srinagar, Athwajan
• Age Group: 4–14 years
• Entry: Free (first-come, first-seated basis)
• Registration: https://events.dpssrinagar.com/e/bookaroo-2026
• Website: https://www.bookaroo.in/
Come, be part of a celebration where stories return, imagination takes flight, and books come alive! (JKNS)
