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 Writers' Club at St. Mary's. Yesterday, I watched how she told a story to children of varied ages. I also watched Kakoli Bagchi tell a story for the first time. With lovely little puppets, they brought Mrs Broome's story Red Kite Adventure to life! After that, she told the story of a shiny red ball that travels the globe ... I enjoyed the story as much as the children did!My event was next on the agenda, and I loved it! I did have a wide range of children there, and I'm afraid the older children weren't as involved as the younger ones, but all in all, it was such … [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 special.As children started trickling in, we began to explore the series of railway advenures through the audio books and activity kits. The joy of each of the railway books is that it is sold both as a book and as part of a kit, making for wonderful activities with children at events like this!And of course, for any writer, people who want to buy your book and get it signed just warm your heart! … [Read more...]
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 I used to compete with myself as I tried to make my puzzles faster and faster. And I had enough puzzles to make a mat of puzzles on the drawing room floor. Do you see the whizzing hands? Old habits die hard!And then, we have stage one of the electric loco for The Duronto Adventure. We're cutting the sheets, slowly but surely. I cut badly, rarely in a straight line. But does that stop me from enjoying it? Never!The process is slow ... Working on it a little every day, and loving it! … [Read more...]
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 Duronto Adventure, the first book for older readers, explores the electric locomotive, so here's a model that you can make for yourself if you have the kit!Bholu at the Level Crossing, the first book for younger readers, shows you a goods train. The goods train has (as one of my characters puts it) a 'big iron face'. The kit has a jigsaw puzzle of the big iron face!These books are not yet available at your local store, but they've officially been launched! And I'll keep you updated ... … [Read more...]
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 Duronto Adventure Chitra, Rohit, Priya and Deven are travelling by themselves for the first time. They are excited about their newfound independence, but little do they know that their journey is going to be even more adventurous than they imagine! When the train stops at Igatpuri and Rohit goes missing, Priya panics. Yet, this is only the beginning of a crazy ride ...Title The Duronto AdventureAuthor Varsha SeshanIllustrator Rishi BhardwajGenre AdventureAge-group 10+ Bholu at the Level Crossing Welcome to the … [Read more...]