Srinagar, November 1: The magic of books, storytelling and imagination came alive at Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar, Athwajan, on Sunday as the eighth Srinagar edition of Bookaroo – Festival of Children’s Literature witnessed an enthusiastic participation of around 5,000 children, parents, teachers and literary enthusiasts from across the Kashmir Valley.
Organised under the aegis of the D.P. Dhar Memorial Trust, the day-long festival brought together young readers from several districts, including Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Baramulla and Ganderbal, among others, turning the DPS Srinagar campus into a vibrant space of creativity, discovery and literary exploration.
The festival was supported by Encash Mahindra and Amandeep Ujala Hospital, Bemina, whose support contributed to making the literary celebration possible.
With this year’s theme, “Where Books Come Alive,” the festival offered children an opportunity to move beyond conventional reading experiences and immerse themselves in a world of storytelling, art, illustration, music, drama and interactive learning.
The festival featured 11 speakers from eight cities across India, with a carefully curated programme of 21 sessions catering to children between the ages of 4 and 14. Acclaimed authors, storytellers, illustrators, artists and creative practitioners engaged young participants through imaginative storytelling, hands-on workshops and thought-provoking interactions.
From tales of talking animals and magical mangroves to mountains of adventure, nature, history and environmental awareness, the sessions encouraged children to explore new ideas, ask questions and express their creativity. Art-based activities, interactive storytelling and opportunities to meet authors further enriched the experience.
Speaking on the occasion, Swati Roy, Co-founder of Bookaroo, said, “Bookaroo has always believed that reading should be an experience children look forward to, rather than something they associate only with classrooms and textbooks. The enthusiasm we witnessed in Srinagar, particularly the participation of children from different districts, reflects the power of stories to bring young minds together. We hope every child who attended today leaves with a new story, a new idea and, most importantly, a greater love for books.”
Ms. Shafaq Afshan, Principal, DPS Srinagar, said, “It is heartening to see nearly 5,000 children, parents and educators come together to celebrate the joy of reading and learning. At DPS Srinagar, we believe that education is about nurturing imagination, encouraging independent thinking and helping children discover their individual strengths. Bookaroo provides exactly this kind of enriching environment, where children learn through stories, creativity and meaningful interactions. We are delighted to have hosted this celebration and to have welcomed students from different parts of the Valley.”
The participating authors and artists also expressed their appreciation for the warmth and enthusiasm of the children, describing their experience in Srinagar as memorable and deeply rewarding.
Roshni Vyam, author and artist, who participated in the festival for the first time in Srinagar, said, “It’s my first time at Bookaroo Srinagar, and it’s been a great and beautiful experience. I met such amazing and kind students at DPS. Small children were thanking me for taking the session, and that was really special. It was wonderful to interact with them, and I would love to continue this beautiful journey with Bookaroo. Thank you once again for such a memorable experience!”
Likla Lall, author of ‘Ganesh Haloi: Colours of Home’, shared, “It’s been a beautiful experience at Bookaroo Srinagar. For so many of us, it was our first trip to Kashmir. The warmth, beauty and enthusiasm with which we were received were truly wonderful. In my session, I introduced children to the works of artist Ganesh Haloi. They were curious, creative and sharp – all budding young artists. The teachers and student volunteers were encouraging and passionate. It has been a pleasure and an honour to be part of the festival. I hope we have fulfilled our role in keeping the spark for literature alive!”
For the participating students, the festival offered an experience that went well beyond the pages of a book. A student from The Life School, Charishrief, shared, “I really enjoyed being part of Bookaroo. The stories, activities and interactions with the authors made learning so much fun. I got to explore new things, meet children from other schools and discover that books can take us to places we have never imagined. I would love to come back again.”
Parents, too, appreciated the initiative for providing children with an engaging and meaningful learning experience outside the classroom. A parent of a DPS Srinagar student said, “It was wonderful to see children so excited about books, stories and creative activities. In an age when children spend so much time with screens, an event like this reminds them of the joy of reading, imagining and creating. It was also a great opportunity for parents to be part of their children’s learning journey.”
Beyond the scheduled sessions, the campus featured dedicated creative spaces, a doodle wall, a bookshop and an author signing area, allowing children to interact with writers, discover new titles and take home memories of their favourite literary encounters. A dedicated PETA Point also introduced young participants to the values of kindness and compassion towards animals through engaging activities.
The participation of schools from different districts added a special dimension to the festival, creating opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds to interact, share experiences and celebrate a common love for stories and learning.
The eighth edition of Bookaroo in Srinagar once again highlighted the importance of creating accessible platforms that encourage children to read, think independently, explore their creativity and develop a lifelong relationship with books.
As the festival concluded, it left behind more than memories of a day filled with stories and activities. It reinforced a simple yet powerful message: when children are given the freedom to imagine, question and create, books become much more than printed pages – they become gateways to endless possibilities.
