Dhaka: Fair brings a pleasant feeling and if it is book fair then it brings more happiness. Thousands of book lovers are found in book fair. Who are those book lovers? Like others children are also fond of reading books. If they find books according to their choices then their happiness increases more.

For children a separate children corner is always there at ‘Amar Ekushay Grontho Mela’ which is known as ‘Shishu Corner’. This year’s ‘Shishu Corner’ is established in front of ‘Nazrul Mancha’ and it is named as ‘Shomen Chanda Chattar.  A monument with Shomen Chanda’s picture is also placed there.

‘Shishu Corner’ is made up with the publications those only publish book for children separately. Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Cholontika Boi Ghar, Jhingeful, Pathshala, Toitumbur, Aro Prokashon, Chotoder Mela, Adigonto, Eti Prokashon, Patabahar, Shila Prokashaon, PPMC are notables among them.

In addition, some scattered children’s book publications is also there at the book fair. They are Shuvro Prokash, Chayabithi, Projjolon, Shoili Prokash, Kishore Bhobon Publishers etc.

This year Eti Prokashon has published Anisul Haque’s ‘Kishore Shomogro-3’. Adigonto has brought almost 15 new books.  Kabir Chowdhury’s ‘David Copperfield’, Shamsujjaman Khan’s ‘Doitto O Napiter Golpo’, Aboidranath Thakur’s ‘Nirbachito Shishu Shahitto’, Bodhhudev Bashu’s ‘Shishu Shahitto’, children writer Shujon Barua’s ‘Nirbachito Kishore Rochonaboli’, ‘Megher Kole Rod,’ Amirul Islam’s ‘Palao Edur Palao’, Aditto Ropu’s ‘Mina Jokhon Porir’ are among them. Jhingeful has recently brought a book ‘Shopner Shadhinota’ by Nusraat Jahan Jerin.

Shuvro Prokash has brought Mahadev Saha’s ‘Manob Eshechi Kaache’, Iqbal Khandakar’s thriller ‘School Jure Atonko’, Polash Mahbub’s ‘Dui Dol Duronto’,  Ranjeet Sarkar’s ‘School Chutir Dinguli’ and Mahfuzur Rahman’s ‘Vuture Tillar Khepa Club’.

Some other publications have brought children’s books beside other books. Among them Ali Imam’s ‘Kath Jhumrir Lal Nekre’, Mitul Saif’s ‘Shilpi Dadur Upohar’, Lokman Ahammod Apon’s ‘Lal Porider Nil Jama’ published from Projjolon Prokashoni. Chayabithi Praokashoni has published Akter Hossain’s ‘Hawoa O Hawoa’, Dhrubo Esh’s ‘Vutu Ar Tuthu’ , Abdur Gaffar Rony’s ‘Vin Groher Pandulipi’ etc. Roddur has published ATM Morshed’s ‘Chorai Chorai Chorachori’.

Class three student Oishi came to book fair with her father. She said “I come to the book for the second time with my father. I feel very good when I come here. I bought a book containing drawings of Hashem Khan. I love to read horror story.”

Shuvro Sham from Shuvro Prokash said children’s gathering is found in holidays. Selling and buying also increase on holidays.

The demand of children’s book is not lesser than adults at the fair. But the gathering at Shishu Corner is shorter on Sunday than Friday and Saturday.

Ends/RG/HFA/04/02/13