Seven children's storybooks launched

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, July 27: Seven children’s storybooks were officially launched amid a programme held in the capital on Sunday.  

Organised by the Centre for Children’s Literature and Research, the books were jointly unveiled by educationist Kedar Bhakta Mathema, senior children’s author Ganga Karmacharya, children’s writer Pramod Pradhan, child rights activist Gauri Nepali, the authors of the books and other guests.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Kedar Bhakta Mathema said that children develop sharper minds when they have the opportunity to read children's literature alongside their classroom textbooks.

The seven books were produced under the Aparajita Story Project, part of the British Council’s gender-focused arts programme, Gender Arts: Equal Together 2025, coordinated by journalist Sushila Tamang.

The published titles include ‘Aitiko Bihe’ by Sushila Tamang, ‘Naamko Katha’ by Bina Thing, ‘Indreni’ by Hansawati Kurmi, ‘Mitini’ by Shanti Sapkota, ‘Mamighar’  by Sanjog Thakuri, ‘Haitamako Himmat’ by Asmita Badi, and ‘Surjiko Ujyalo’ by Sangita Uranw. 

The project was implemented in collaboration with the Centre for Children’s Literature and Research and the Hami Dajubhai organisation.

The books feature illustrations by artists Rabindra Manandhar, Anamika Gautam and Prajwal Thapa Magar.

Children’s author and critic Pramod Pradhan said the simultaneous publication of seven books by seven different writers is a highly encouraging milestone for Nepali children’s literature. 

Child rights activist Gauri Nepali said the seven books convey a wide range of important messages based on the realities experienced by people in society.

Reflecting on her own childhood, she recalled that she had little access to such stories and mostly read tales centred on moral lessons.

Project coordinator and author Sushila Tamang said the initiative aimed to promote girls' empowerment, gender equality and social development through children’s literature, while addressing discrimination between boys and girls as well as caste, class and cultural inequalities. She said the project had resulted in a powerful collection of children’s books.

She further added that every community has its own lived experiences, social and cultural traditions, struggles and practices, and that the seven stories seek to reflect and celebrate this diversity.