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Popular Sisimpur puppet characters -- Halum, Ikri Mikri, Shiku, and Tuktuki -- engage with children at the Shishu Prohor (children’s hour) of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday. - DAILY SUN PHOTO
The young visitors spent a delightful time buying their favourite books, watching puppet shows, singing songs and dancing in joy, making the most of the festive atmosphere.
Although fewer children were seen browsing books on regular weekdays, the two-hour session over the weekend was enough to bring the fair to life at the Suhrawardy Udyan portion of the venue.
Obhik Mahmud, 9, and his brother Shoubhik Mahmud, 7, visited different stalls and bought several books. Obhik chose horror stories and science fiction novels, while Shoubhik picked books on rhymes and comic characters. Their mother, however, selected two books for them – one on ancient civilisations and another on space and the solar system.
Farhana Mahmud, their mother, said, “I bring my sons to the fair every year. I do not want them to spend too much time with electronic gadgets. My aim is to introduce them to the amazing and rich world of books so they grow up with good values and a love for reading.”
Like last year, the absence of the Sisimpur Chattar, which had been one of the most popular spots in the earlier years, was the biggest disappointment for children this time.
She said, “I watched a tiger on television. But this tiger was in front of me. It came out of the stage and shook my hand. The experience was amazing.” Although the book fair does not feature a dedicated children’s corner this year, publishers of children’s books have set up their stalls close to one another in a particular section of the fairgrounds, attracting families and young readers.
The fairground resembled a playground, with children excitedly rushing from one stall to another. Their guardians introduced them to colourful books on stories, fairytales, rhymes, comics, mathematical games, and science fiction.
Publishers, proprietors, and salespersons also enjoyed the lively atmosphere, delighted by the happy faces of young readers. They noted that the number of children visiting the fair this year was impressive, and sales had been encouraging. Stalls such as Jhinge Phul, Takdhum, Jhilmil, Taitambur, Kinder Books, Mourpangkhi, Ghashphoring, and Soptodinga were crowded with children and their guardians. Mahmudul Hasan, publisher of Kinder Books, said, “We have brought a number of books by popular children’s authors. Our error-free texts, colourful illustrations, and high-quality paper are satisfying both children and their guardians.”
Mridul Mahbub and Ehsan Mahmud discussed their new books at the Lekhok Bolchi stage on the day. Today, on the 10th day of the fair, a discussion on “Birth Centenary: Nurjahan Begum” will be held on the main stage at 3pm. Israil Khan will present the keynote paper while Sohrab Hasan will participate in the discussion to be presided over by Luva Nahid Chowdhury.
Besides, the final round of the children and adolescents’ music competition will be held today at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of the Bangla Academy.