There’s nothing quite like the energy of a lit fest. Children running around, reading, getting excited about books … what more does a writer want?
My first session of the day was all about my middle-grade book, Sisters at New Dawn. Do you see the sheets of paper in the children’s hands? They’re lists of subjects children at New Dawn choose from. I asked the children to imagine they received these lists. What would they choose? I loved listening to all their responses, and all their additions to my subject lists!
But what made my session extra special is the girl in yellow right in the front. That’s Sunandini, and we finally took a picture together too. She’s been part of my online creative writing programme for the last two years now, and she lives in Kolkata, but she stayed back just for my session! Sunandini bought Sisters, read it one day in advance, and brought it for me to sign at Kukdukoo. She’s the very first online participant I’ve met in person, and it was such a joy to meet her!
My second session was based on The Best Idea of All, and it was with littler ones, out on the field. As always, I was astounded by all their responses when it came to the question of conserving water and saving the world!
“We can use a sponge and bucket to wash a car.”
“We should collect rainwater in buckets.”
“Rainwater harvesting!”
“Bathe using a bucket, instead of taking a shower.”
We spoke of chemicals and making natural colours – and several of the children already knew how to make colours of their own!
In some ways, however, what made Kukdukoo even more special was all the people I met there, people I’ve interacted with online, people whose books I’ve read and reviewed, people whose videos I’ve watched … It was lovely! I bumped into Ramya Srinidhi, who told two stories from my Dragonflies, Jigsaws and Seashells for Scholastic India. I met Janaki Sabesh, Rohini Vij, Shibal Bhartiya, Paro Anand … It was such a treat!
I also took my books along for some them to sign. Here are a few special ones.
I read Bena’s Summer some time ago, and I was moved by the story. It’s such a beautiful, lyrical story, bursting with innocence and compassion. Of course I had to get my copy autographed!
Many years ago, when I was about nine years old, I read Paro Anand’s very first book, Pepper the Capuchin Monkey. I took it along for her to sign for me, and I agree with what she’s written there. It was wow … just wow.
And while I was at it, I also asked her to autograph A Very Naughty Dragon, which we read at my book club some time ago. I told her about everything we did with it, the way the children explored other endangered animals and the discussions we had.
The most surreal moment, however, was when she bought a copy of Sisters at New Dawn and asked me to sign it for her. I wish I were better at thinking of taking photographs!
Kukdukoo 2022 was my first in-person lit fest since 2019. It was full of energy, laughter and enthusiasm. Here’s to many more!
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