Toddlers, teens, adults browse at book fair

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, February 14

The Delhi World Book Fair 2024 has captivated book enthusiasts of all ages with a diverse array of offerings tailored to every taste and interest. From educational resources to captivating fiction, comics, and novels, the fair promises something for everyone, from toddlers to teenagers.

Smit Zaveri, children products manager at Harper Collins, highlighted the wide range of options available for young readers.

“There is a book for every age group at the fair,” she shared. “For toddlers in the age group of 0-3 years, we have bath books that change colour in water, along with board books and touch-and-feel books to familiarise them with sounds and textures,” she said.

“The main aim of bath books and board books is to assist children in developing motor skills required for grasping objects,” she emphasised.

Moving up the age bracket, Mahesh Nanjundaiah, national sales manager of Simon and Schuster India, elaborated on the offerings for children aged 3-5. “Picture books like ‘Bhangra Baby’ showcase fun activities like dance, while other books feature light text and engaging illustrations for bedtime storytelling,” he explained, adding that these interactive books make reading a joy for kids.

Books tailored for children aged 5-9, categorised in the early age bracket, feature light chapters. Picture books are rich in illustrations and offer engaging content for young readers.

Middle grade books cater to ages 10-16, offering a blend of fiction and non-fiction, along with chapter books.

Mukesh, an executive at Scholastic, highlighted popular titles such as ‘Geronimo Stilton’ and ‘Thea Stilton’, as well as classics like ‘Ready Freddy’, ‘Cat Kid Comic Club’, ‘Black Beauty’, and ‘Secret Garden’.

For educational resources, Malavika Talukar, creative head of DK Delhi, emphasised the depth and creativity of books covering various topics, including space exploration.

As the popularity of BookTok rises, a wide selection of young adult fiction is available. Mahesh said, “We have a variety of romance and fantasy books for young adults, including titles like ‘IceBreaker’, ‘Better than the Movies’ and works by Colleen Hoover.”

Furthermore, amid the celebration of its 100th anniversary, Simon and Schuster is delighting readers with English-translated Mangas like ‘One Piece’, ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’, ‘SpyxFamily’, ‘Death Note’ and many more.

These offerings, widely beloved among youngsters and teenagers, add to the diverse range of options available at the Delhi World Book Fair 2024. With such a diverse range of literary delights, the book fair promises an enriching experience for book lovers of all ages and interests.