Sunday, January 31, 2010

Children's publishing looking up

Time was when children’s books by Indian authors would be preachy, condescending and badly produced. Not any more, DNA finds that Indian authors and publishers are at long last coming out with books that combine innovative Indian content and international appeal.

Oh ye, readers of old, who looked no further than Enid Blytons and Nancy Drews for literary sustenance, eat your heart out. The new generation of children have those and much more. For in the past decade, more and more books by Indian authors are finding their way to prominence in book stores, libraries and imaginations of readers. What’s more, these are books with innovative content and high production standards.

In essence, we are at the threshold of a new era in children’s publishing — one in which we are finally evolving our very own contemporary literature for kids. Says Anita Roy, editorial head, Young Zubaan, “Children in India are growing up in a fast-changing world, and are exposed to a vast range of different media. Indian authors are responding by writing new, exciting and imaginative narratives in contemporary idioms to capture the interest and imaginations of their audience.”

Full report here

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