'Don't ever write 'down' to your audience'

It is only by making books fun, beautiful, intriguing or desirable objects that children will associate reading with pleasure rather than seeing it as a chore, says Anita Roy, editor of children’s publisher Young Zubaan.

Is there a need for Indian-authored children’s books?
Absolutely, yes! There are many excellent, innovative, fabulous books for children being imported into India, from old favourites like Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, AA Milne et al, to newer writers like JK Rowling, Philip Pullman, Lauren Child, Stephanie Meyer, Francesca Simon and others. Yet, if you were asked to name an Indian children’s author, you are unlikely to come up with anyone other than, perhaps Ruskin Bond.

Is there a demand for Indian titles?
Many parents and teachers are desperately keen to get Indian children’s books for their kids. They realise the importance of introducing their children to a literary/imaginative world with which they can immediately identify and in which they recognise themselves. It’s much more than simply changing ‘Janet and John’ to ‘Ravi and Seema’.

Full interview here DNA