This year, I signed up for Pratham Reading Champions with a slightly different plan in mind. Instead of a big group, I thought of keeping it simple — a one-on-one interaction. My niece, who is an enthusiastic reader, was more than happy to be my first listener. Very soon, a few children from my flat joined in, and suddenly it was a cosy Sunday storytelling circle.
This year’s book collection included two delightful titles:
- Surki and Tirki — written and illustrated by Madhuri Purandare, English translation by Anushka Ravishankar.
- I Am Not a Cat — written by Paro Anand, illustrated by David Yambem.
The first story is about friendship, and how it can grow when two become three. A simple tale, but it touches on the complicated emotions children often feel. Possessiveness, betrayal, forgiveness — all those “grown-up” feelings that little ones must somehow learn to navigate. With children, making friends is usually an open-armed welcome, without judgement. But when the heart says, “This friend is mine alone”, then learning to share becomes a part of growing up.
Between the two, the second book felt lighter, but it carried an intense message. Paro Anand used the voices of animals, and tucked in a surprise twist at the end. It made the children think about presence and recognition. Do you always have to be the loudest to be noticed? Or can a quiet, steady presence also be powerful? The story hinted at personality differences and how they shape a group’s energy. I found it subtle and thought-provoking.
Of course, the children had their own verdict. They loved I Am Not a Cat more — especially the animal sounds! For a while, my living room became a mini jungle: lions roared, cats meowed, and butterflies fluttered. But Surki and Tirki did open up a heartfelt chat on what it means to be a good friend, and why inclusivity makes play so much more fun.
For me, reading aloud both stories was a joy. I could feel their impact immediately in the children’s responses — laughter, questions, little debates, and the wide-eyed silence that only a good story can create. It was very different from my first Reading Champions session back in 2015, or even the ones in 2017 and 2018. Each time I volunteer, I learn something new about children and about the magic of books.
In a time when iPads and phones compete for attention, it feels precious to hold their focus with nothing more than words and pictures. Pratham’s books are always a pleasure — high quality, rooted in everyday truths, and often paired with wonderful connected activities. I’ve even contributed a few stories to their Storyweaver platform in the past, and I continue to admire the way serious lessons of self-development are wrapped so gently in storytelling. This year, I’m also hoping to slowly pitch story sessions for children with special needs. Stories belong to everyone, after all. What a sermon cannot achieve, a simple tale often can. The best stories don’t preach, but they stay with you. Sometimes, they change you for life.
Acknowledgement: Polished by Mira (AI Powered ChatGPT)
Itinerant Storyteller 