Writer interacts with kids at online storytelling session

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, April 18

Paro Anand, the award winning and acclaimed writer, held an online session of storytelling to engage children from various parts of the world, including Amritsar and London, on Friday. The session was held in collaboration with Majha House and moderated by Nazi Puri, Amritsar’s official Book Fairy.

Paro, who has 26 books to her credit, has written short stories and novels for both children and adults. She began the session by asking the kids about their favourite books and characters. She selected two stories for the session, ‘A Very Naughty Dragon’ and ‘The Lion and the Rabbit’.

Paro said she had selected the stories on the basis of the age of the audience. “One was for small kids and the other one for children in the age-group of 8 to 13 years. Before the narration, it is important to focus on the words and emotions, It is important for kids to relate and engage with their own versions while we are doing this,” said Paro. She also performed stories, miming the actions of the characters and showcasing their different emotions.

“This period of lockdown is difficult and taking a toll on all of us, especially the children. While adults can reconcile themselves to this situation with patience that comes with the age, children are more prone to frustration and mood swings as they find it difficult to channelise their energies. That is why Majha House organised a session, especially for children not just to keep them engaged for some time but also to reinforce the joys of stories and reading,” said Puri.

Paro is a recipient of the Sahitya Academy Bal Puraskar Award in 2017 for her short story anthology, ‘Wild Child, and other Stories’. She was also invited to the Indian Conference at the Harvard Business School.