While children were more interested in buying science fiction and Disney’s fairy tales books, their parents were inclined towards social awareness books at the first Shishu Prohor (special hours dedicated to children) at Amar Ekushey Book Fair.
The publishers of several book publishing stores told this correspondent that parents prefer books which have a social awareness messaging for children.
Coordinator of Sisimpur Publication, Faisal Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune that parents are inclined towards purchasing educational books with colorful illustrations for their children from their store.
“We have a book titled “Dicchi Pari Mamar Bari’ [travelling to uncle’s place] that teaches children road safety in Bangladesh which is a suitable and timely message, and crucial issue in Bangladesh right now.
Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
Children can become aware and learn about traffic signals, dangers in crossing roads and other road safety rules from this book,” he said.
MA Musa Khan visited the Shishu Chottor (A corner designated for children) with his 14-year-old son at Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday.
He believes that books can be a great source of knowledge to children through which they learn morality, ethics, and responsibility.
“Children love to read ghost stories. Instead of painting a scary image of ghosts, the writers can incorporate some positive messages in such books,” he suggested.
Light of Hope Publication is offering books through which children can learn letters by drawing pictures.
Waliullah Bhuiyan, publisher of Light of Hope, told Dhaka Tribune: “Children learn how to draw before they recognize letters. There are tons of resources online for learning English Alphabets but unfortunately we do not have that many books to learn Bangla letters by drawing pictures,” he said.
Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
A set of four books-- English capital letters, English small letters, Bangla consonants and Bangla vowels--can be purchased at a discounted price of Tk950 from Light of Hope publication at the book fair.
Mahmuda Khan Rupa from Laboni Publication told Dhaka Tribune that children are more attracted to books with fairy tales like Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast compared to Bengali fairy tales.
“Children ask for books they are familiar with. They watch Snow White or Beauty and the Beast on Youtube and therefore they ask their parents to purchase those books more, compared to local fairy tales,” she said.
Shishu Prohor is open from 11am to 1pm every Friday and Saturday at the book fair in Suhrawardy Udyan.
Children can enjoy various fun activities including puppet shows and drawing competitions at Shishu Prohor.
