The Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore was the first literary festival I attended. Here’s what I did there. The first session, Cracking the Golden Egg at Literary Festivals, was conducted by Felicia Low-Jiminez and Maria Alessandrino. It was a useful panel discussion, even though it focused more on how to deal with being […]
Back from AFCC 2016
So much excitement, so much fun! I attended the Asian Festival of Children’s Content at Singapore for the first time, and the opening ceremony was the grand event at which the winner of the Scholastic Asian Book Award 2016 was announced. My unpublished work, Dragonflies, Jigsaws and a Rainbow, was one of the five shortlisted entries, […]
More First Prints!
I wrote not so long ago about the first prints of The Duronto Adventure and Bholu at the Level Crossing. The next two books for young readers are here! A little about these two books … Kevin has lost his lucky coin! Bholu volunteers to help him look for it, and Deven, Priya, Rohit and Ruth come along. Would […]
Shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award!
My work, Dragonflies, Jigsaws and a Rainbow, has been shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award! The award winner will be revealed at the opening ceremony of the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) in May this year. The objectives of the award are: To recognise excellence in fiction in Asian stories for children To showcase the diversity […]
Duronto and Level Crossing Resource Packs!
I wrote about first prints and the joy of having the resource packs in hand. But how could I cut up the one electric loco kit I had? Now, armed with a spare set, I’m ready to make my own electric loco model. As a child, I loved jigsaw puzzles. I loved them so much that […]
Launch at National Rail Museum
I wrote about the launch of The Duronto Adventure and Bholu at the Level Crossing about three weeks ago. Finally, here are some pictures! The National Rail Museum was set up on the 1st of February, 1977. So, on the 1st of February this year, we were keen on launching at least the first book for each age-group. The […]
Two new books by Varsha Seshan!
It’s been nearly four years since The Story-Catcher was published. Finally, here are two new books! Launched at the National Rail Museum yesterday, these books are currently available only at the Souvenir Shop of the museum. They are part of a kit that also contains a CD and an activity! Pictures of those will come soon … The […]
A Brand New Series of Books on Trains: Coming Soon!
Do you know who Bholu is? Since 2002, this friendly guard elephant has been the mascot of the Indian Railways. I’m delighted to be writing a series of stories for children, featuring Bholu, along with many other characters. The series will target two age-groups: Younger readers (aged 5-8) Older readers (aged 9-13) The books for younger readers will have Bholu […]
Why not Indian literature?
I read article after article about how Indian literature for children is on the rise. I read about lit fests and how these promote Indian writers and Indian literature. I read about new publishers and new writers all over the country. I feel encouraged, thinking about my future (and present) as a writer. Yet, against […]
The Story-Catcher: A Review by Arushi Upadhyaya
Some time ago, I mentioned a book review of The Story-Catcher by 9-year-old Arushi Upadhyaya. Finally sharing the whole review here! It made me smile all over again.
My First Violin Recital
I’m conducting a Writing Club at St. Mary’s School for 25 girls from classes VI and VII. Every time I give them a writing assignment, I will be publishing the work I like best on my blog. I will be editing the work very slightly, if at all. It’s Friday again, and time to publish. This week, each girl […]
Pop! Goes the Music
I’m conducting a Writing Club at St. Mary’s School for 25 girls from classes VI and VII. Every time I give them a writing assignment, I will be publishing the work I like best on my blog. I will be editing the work very slightly, if at all. This week, each girl wrote a poem inspired by a piece […]
The Story-Catcher – A Review by a 9-year-old
I’ve been waiting for something momentous before writing my blog – what could be more momentous than a review of The Story-Catcher by a nine-year-old? Arushi Upadhyaya had to design a book-jacket for a school competition. The entry she submitted is with the school, but she sent me the rough plan she made. At the back, she informs me, […]
Alma Mater
Thoughts come to me in bits and pieces. The house charts are still displayed at the back of the hall. They’ve become bigger and grander, not restricted to single sheets of chart-paper. Also, the availability of print-outs means that girls with neat handwriting don’t make all the charts. There are big boards on the wall, […]
St. Mary’s … St. Mary’s …
When I read the title (and when I was writing it), I could not help singing it. I’ve been writing for ages now. I’ve had about 25 stories for children published. I have a book to my credit. Yet, I can’t deny that I am happy to see an article in the St. Mary’s School magazine! […]
Reading and Writing Workshop
I have one photograph with the children at Cedarwood!
Reading and Writing Workshop at Cedarwood
Half of my reading and writing workshop at Cedarwood is over, and I’ve finally convinced myself that I am not going to be taking any photographs. I keep intending to, and then I get so involved in everything we’re doing that somewhere along the line, I forget. We’ve done so much in the last few […]
We Said Go Travel
Two of my personal narratives have been published on the travel site “We Said Go Travel”.
Imagine and Innovate: A Workshop on Books for Children
Workshop Outline: How do books come alive? What happens in the mind of the writer, and how does it finally reach the hands of the reader? “Imagine and Innovate” explores each step of the journey: from the idea to the making of the book. Children will come together to create a story, design and make a […]
Creative Writing Masterclass with Prof Bill Herbert
I did not know what a masterclass was. ‘Masterclass’. It was something my musician-friends spoke about, but I had never experienced myself. When the British Library organised a masterclass in creative writing with Prof Bill Herbert, I knew I had to enroll. Sometimes, there are many things about writing that you know. Rule #1: Show, […]