Bookworms throng World Book Fair, children’s book sees demand

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) From Jeff Kinneys Wimpy Kid series to Amar Chitra Katha, the second day of the ongoing World Book Fair saw huge demand for childrens' books from tiny book-worms who thronged the venue in large numbers.

With weather remaining pleasant and not playing a spoilsport like Saturday, the book fair witnessed a large number turning up at the Pragati Maidan. As hours passed by, the crowd which was in a week-end mood kept coming in large numbers.

This year, many of the stalls have focused on children's book giving the kid visitors a reason to rejoice. Accompanied by their parents, the children crowded from one stall to the another looking out for their favourite books.

"I come to book fair every year. Though I have my board exams but spending few hours at book store is worth. It gives readers to pore over variety of books which one cannot find online," Gauri Bharadwaj, a student of Seth Anand Ram Jaipuria School who purchased Devdutt Pattanaik's "Devlok", told IANS.

Aatharv Srivastava, a class 1 student in Viswa Bharti School, was holding a copy of "My First Book of Dough Modelling" as he happily roamed around the stalls saying he is looking for more books on art and crafts and painting books.

Jeff Kinney's book Wimpy Kid series seemed to be the latest favourite among the children while "Game of Thrones" too remained popular. Some classic book series written by author Enid Blyton, John Grisham, Geronimo Stilton still found place in almost all the book stores.

J.K. Rowling's magical creation Harry Potter series is always preferred by all the kids.

"The variety of books that is available here gives children the scope to know a lot and also encourages reading habit. In an era where almost all the kids are more into digital world, book fairs are the only scope to get them physically attached with books. Kids come and they see others of their age reading books or buying some and they are equally motivated to purchase books," Shobit Aggarwal, a resident of East Delhi told IANS.

Aggarwal was here for the first time, accompanied by his son Aanjaney, a class 6 student from Amity School who got a Wimpy Kid book for self.

Hindi fable tales like Amar Chitra Katha, Vikram-Betal, comic series like Chacha Chaudhary, books on Akbar-Birbal also found places in the shelves of book stores.

"We tried to revive the popularity of these age old books through some discounts like buy one and get one free and in just two days we have seen huge sale of the books," said Praveen Bhandari from Partap Publisher and Distributor stall.

Even the international stalls from countries like France, Germany, Spain have focused on the children's book.

Children's Pavillion is another attraction at this year's book fair where a host of activities like drawing competitions, storytelling sessions, skits, author meetings and discussions are being organised. The Pavilion also showcases some of the best of recent publications for children from across the country.

Nearly 800 publishers from across the country and abroad are participated in the Fair, which goes on till January 15.