The vibrant world of children's literature has found a lively hub in Chandigarh as the Paper Trails Literary Fest 2025 commenced at FirstSteps School. This three-day celebration, dedicated to fostering a love for reading and writing among young minds, began on Monday, December 15, and will run till December 17 at the school's Sector 26 campus.
A Gathering of Literary Luminaries for Young Readers
The festival has successfully drawn a constellation of celebrated figures from the realm of children's publishing. Esteemed authors, illustrators, and storytellers are actively participating to inspire the next generation. The event saw the presence of notable personalities including writer Asha Nehemiah, author Meghaa Gupta, editor and writer Vidya Mani, and the popular illustrator-storyteller Shyam Madhavan Sarada (Greystroke). They were joined by storyteller Deeptha Vivekanand and the school's leadership, Chairperson Japji Cheema and Principal Jasbir Kaur.
Japji Cheema articulated the core vision behind the festival, emphasizing its goal to create a dynamic bridge between books, their creators, and young audiences. "We aim to transform reading from a solitary activity into a shared, communal experience," she stated. The festival's agenda is packed with interactive engagements designed to make literature come alive, featuring storytelling sessions, illustration workshops for book covers, author readings, and direct dialogues with the creators.
Interactive Workshops and Educational Philosophy
The fest is not just about observation but active participation. A series of hands-on workshops have been scheduled to engage students creatively. On the opening day, December 15, Vidya Mani and Greystroke conducted a magazine illustration workshop, while Deeptha Vivekanand led an immersive storytelling session. The following days promise more enrichment, with international storyteller Kapil Pandey conducting a session on December 16. The final day, December 17, will feature a storytelling workshop by Greystroke and will be celebrated as Punjabi Day, with storyteller Shiraz Saini also contributing to the festivities.
Principal Jasbir Keur connected the event to the school's broader educational ethos as an International Baccalaureate institution. "We focus on moving beyond rote learning to conceptual understanding and real-world application. This literary fest helps children grasp the importance of reading and writing through direct expert interaction," she explained. She also revealed the school's expansion plans, noting that a new IB school will soon be established in Panchkula.
Building a Lasting Foundation for Reading
The participating authors highlighted the critical role such dedicated festivals play in shaping young learners' habits. Asha Nehemiah, famed for books like 'The Rajah's Moustache' and 'Granny's Sari', stressed the importance of creating literary spaces exclusively for children. Meghaa Gupta expressed her delight at being part of the initiative. Vidya Mani, who runs the 'Melting Pot' studio, spoke about the necessity of engaging with children early to build a robust reading foundation.
Greystroke, whose book 'Wailers Three' is a CBSE-recommended reader, affirmed that events like Paper Trails are instrumental in nurturing a lifelong passion for reading and writing. Adding to the festive atmosphere, a travelling children's bookshop by Funky Rainbow has been set up on campus, showcasing works by the visiting authors and illustrators. Furthermore, students have been deeply involved in preparatory activities throughout the month, culminating in a special showcase based on their literary inquiry cycle.
The Paper Trails Literary Fest 2025 stands as a significant community effort, successfully turning the page from passive learning to an active, joyful exploration of stories and ideas for Chandigarh's young readers.
