Children have an innate love for stories. When given the right resources, their imagination soars, sharpening their analytical abilities, deepening their attention spans, and enhancing their communication skills. Reading is not just an activity—it is vital for children's intellectual and emotional development.

As the month-long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, the largest book fair in Bangladesh, approaches, a question looms large: are we truly creating an environment that fosters love for books among children? Year after year, countless families throng the fairground with children excitedly tagging along, eyes wide with wonder. Yet, for many of these young visitors, the experience falls short of its potential. Are we doing enough to nurture their budding curiosity and imagination?

Take, for example, the designated children's corner at the book fair. While it holds promise, it often lacks the creativity and vibrancy needed to captivate young minds. Imagine a magical gateway at the entrance—a vivid, colourful portal transporting children into a world of imagination and wonder. The decor could mirror the themes of beloved books, with characters and scenes brought to life through art, colours, and innovative use of space. This is not merely about aesthetics; it's about creating an environment where children feel valued, seen, and inspired.

Infrastructure, too, demands careful thinking. Children's safety and comfort should be non-negotiable. Facilities like child-friendly drinking water stations, washrooms, and breastfeeding corners for mothers with infants must be prioritised. These practical elements ensure that families can fully immerse themselves in the book fair without unnecessary stress.

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But the experience should not stop at browsing and buying books. The children's corner could host interactive sessions with authors and illustrators, where children share their thoughts and learn about the creative process. Such exchanges would not only delight young readers but also provide invaluable insights for authors and publishers about what resonates with their audience. Why not include spaces where children can express themselves through storytelling, dressing up as their favourite characters, or even designing their book covers? Such activities spark creativity and make the experience truly immersive.

Then there's the issue of Shishu Prohor, a dedicated time slot for children that often feels diluted by the presence of the general crowd. It's disheartening to see this initiative lose its purpose because it isn't strictly enforced. A simple yet bold solution would be to reserve these hours exclusively for children and adults accompanying them, ensuring an uninterrupted, focused experience.

Publishers bear a significant responsibility. Parents often lament the lack of high-quality Bangla books for children. Many say their children prefer English books simply because they find them more engaging. This isn't surprising in a world where visual storytelling in films, animations, and video games sets an extraordinarily high bar. Books need to compete, and they can do so only if publishers continue to improve the quality of books.

Books must evolve to challenge outdated notions. Families, societies, and the world are changing. Books should be written considering these factors. The days of rhymes and stories riddled with racist, misogynistic or otherwise insensitive undertones are long gone. Stories must be inclusive and forward-thinking, providing children with lessons about empathy, diversity, and resilience. Children of different ages have different feelings, thoughts, and reading speeds. Authors should write books that will delight children, inform them about age-appropriate topics, and inspire them to live meaningful lives.

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There is a need to publish books on various subjects including rhymes, poems, stories, novels, geography, science, nature, classic literature, fairy tales, mythology, etc. In many countries, different kinds of experiments are going on regarding storytelling, illustration, and printing. Are we doing that? Are we utilising new technologies and possibilities in publishing children's books, considering paper type, binding, cutting, etc in line with the age of the readers? Isn't it natural that children will not want to read a book if its content and printing quality is not good?

Parents play a crucial role in fostering a culture of reading. The seed of love for books are sown at home. Parents who read to their children from infancy and share the joy of storytelling create a lifelong bond between their children and books. It's essential to include books in the family budget, encourage library visits, and celebrate books as thoughtful gifts for birthdays and festivals. Children learn by observing, and when they see their parents read, they're likely to follow suit.

School libraries play an important role in developing reading habits among children. Teachers can encourage children to read books. Free transport could be organised for students from various schools to visit the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair has the potential to be more than a cultural event; it can be a movement that rekindles love for books in a generation inundated with digital distractions. But for that to happen, all stakeholders must step up. It's time to think boldly, act decisively, and reimagine what a child-friendly book fair can be.

Laila Khondkar is an international development worker.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own.

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