Miss. Asha Nehemiah
Asha Nehemiah is a popular author whose books are loved by children, parents and educators. Her published work includes early readers, picture books, chapter books, short stories and middle grade fiction.
Miss. Parinita Shetty
Parinita Shetty likes books, trees, her cat, and cake. She dislikes procrastinating but not enough to actually stop doing it. She did somehow manage to write a few picture books and chapter books, complete a Master’s in Children's Literature and Literacies at the University of Glasgow, and a PhD in Education at the University of Leeds. She is a part-time public library assistant, part-time postdoctoral researcher and sometimes children's book writer. She should currently be writing but is probably watching Doctor Who.
Miss. Aashti Mudnani
Aashti Mudnani is a professional hunter of children's books, illustration lover, listener of stories and chai drinker. She started Lightroom, a bookstore for children’s books when she and her husband couldn't easily find books that they would have liked for their children. Seven years after the first idea and with the help of a whole lot of people, the store opened in 2013. She loves being outdoors, especially where there are more wild things than cityscapes. But for now, she lives in Bangalore.
Miss. PARO ANAND
Paro Anand, a fearless writer and storyteller, received the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puruskar Award in 2017 for "Wild Child," now "Like Smoke." She's a dedicated advocate for children's literature, with books like "No Guns at my Son's Funeral" gaining international acclaim. Anand also runs "Literature in Action" and hosts the podcast of the same name. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Kalinga Karubaki Award for Fearless Writers in 2019. BBC Hindi featured her in their "100 Women" project, highlighting her achievements in literature and storytelling. Paro Anand's contributions continue to inspire both nationally and internationally.
Miss. Sujata Noronha
Sujata Noronha is the Founder Director of Bookworm, an innovative library organization in Goa, India. Her work revolves around decolonizing library practices and creating inclusive spaces for children, particularly for diverse communities entering formal literacy in India. Sujata's academic interests span language, literature, and learning, making her a dedicated educator and advocate for critical discourse in the field.
Miss. Uma Krishnaswami
When she was five years old, Uma Krishnaswami wrote her first story—in green crayon, on the wall of her father's government-allotted house in Delhi Cantonment. These days she uses more conventional materials. Uma is the author of over twenty-five books for young readers with more on the way. Her work has been translated into 14 languages. Since 2006, Uma has also taught in the MFA/Writing for Children and Young Adults programme at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, USA. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Miss. Ahalya Naidu
Ahalya Naidu has been a features writer and editor for newspapers and magazines. She has also edited manuscripts for new and established authors. She is the co-founder of Trilogy, a curated bookshop and library, which was set up in 2014, in Mumbai.
Miss. Himanjali Sankar
Himanjali Sankar is an editor and writer. Her children’s and YA books include The Stupendous Timetelling Superdog and Talking of Muskaan, which were shortlisted for the Crossword Book Award. Mrs C Remembers, her first novel for adults, won her the FICCI Publishing Award for Upcoming Author of the Year in 2018. She is currently Editorial Director at Simon & Schuster India.
Miss. Sampurna Chattarji
Sampurna Chattarji is a prolific writer known for her poetry, fiction, editing, and teaching. She has an impressive body of work, including nine publications for young readers like "The Bhyabachyaka and Other Wild Poems" co-authored with Eurig Salisbury. Among her notable works for adults are "Dirty Love," a collection of short stories about Bombay, and eleven poetry titles, including "Space Gulliver: Chronicles of an Alien" and "Unmappable Moves." Chattarji is celebrated for her contributions to literature.
Anita Roy
Anita Roy is a writer, editor and environmentalist. She set up and ran the Young Zubaan imprint until 2015. Her children’s novel, Gravepyres School for the Recently Deceased was awarded the WWF/Green Lit Fest prize in 2021. She is a regular columnist for the Guardian’s Country Diary, and her work has appeared in Granta, Guernica, The Dark Mountain Project, Resurgence & Ecologist, India Today, India Quarterly and elsewhere.
Anushka Ravishankar
Anushka Ravishankar has spent over twenty five years in the world of children’s books, as writer, editor and publisher. She has written over thirty-five books for children, including picture books in verse, chapter books, retellings of folk tales and non-fiction. Several of her books have been published internationally and have won awards. She was an editor at Tara Books and Scholastic India, and was co-founder and publisher of Duckbill Books.
Dalbir Kaur
Dalbir Kaur is a literacy & library consultant, and an educational entrepreneur. She is profoundly passionate about books, literacy development, and libraries. In 2011, she created the One Up Library, Book Studio, and Learning Lab, a unique library cum curated children’s bookstore, and a dynamic learning space serving wide-ranging age groups. So far, she has personally worked with over 5000 children and families to foster reading and writing about reading in a workshop model.
Mr. Asghar Wajahat
Asghar Wajahat is a retired Professor of Hindi and well known Hindi fiction writer, novelist, playwright.
He has published five collections of short stories, twelves full length plays, a collection of street plays, five novels, two short novels, four travelouges and a book on literary criticism. His work has been translated to many Indian and foreign languages
Dr. Wajahat has also been involved in Hindi cinema as a scriptwriter since 1975.
He was awarded national award by Sangeet Natak Akademi( National Academy for Music and Drama)in 2015 .He was also awarded 'Shalaka samma' ( highest literary award by the Delhi Government) in 2016. Lately he was awarded 'Vyas Samman' in 2021 by K.K Birla Foundation.
Mr. Mihir Pandya
Mihir Pandya has a doctorate from University of Delhi, on contemporary City in Indian Popular Cinema. He has worked with various magazines including India Today’s 'The Lallantop', Eklavya’s Children’s magazine ‘Chakmak’ and Hindi research journal ‘Banaas Jan’ in the past.
He has written on cinema and popular culture for BBC Hindi, Newslaundry, The Lallantop, The Hindu, Nav Bharat Times, Jansatta, Prabhat Khabar, Rajasthan Patrika, Tehelka, Hans, Kathadesh, Tadbhav, Aalochana, Bahuvachan, Naya Path etc. as well as his first non-fiction book on Cinema - "शहर और सिनेमा : वाया दिल्ली" published in 2012 from Vani Prakashan, New Delhi.
He has taught at Hindu College, ZHDC, Miranda House and Indraprastha College for Women in the past.. . He has worked as Hindi editor at IFFI Goa, 2015 and served in the jury in Mumbai Film Festival’s (MAMI) ‘Word To Screen’ initiative in 2016.
Mr. Nidhi Qazi
Trying to preserve the child within, children’s literature gives Nidhi those moments of calm and wonder much needed for that preservation. In her work in the education sector, she currently takes her love for literature to teachers through Parag’s offerings of professional development courses on library practices and children’s literature.
Her work focuses on supporting teachers and field practitioners in building understanding about the importance of a robust reading culture, quality materials for reading and joy of reading. She along with her team find pleasure in discussing books, reviewing them, designing sessions around books within a library space.
Brimming with energy to write for children, she hopes to write more and more with inspiration from life around and the works of Franz Hohler (Meri Badi Kitaab), Shel SiIverstein (A giving tree) and Charley Mackesy (The boy, the mole, the fox, the horse).
Dr. Mukul Priyadarshini
Dr. Mukul Priyadarshini, a Ph.D. in Linguistics, is a seasoned educator with experience at prestigious institutions like Lady Shri Ram College and Miranda House, University of Delhi. She has worked with government bodies like NCERT, NCTE, CBSE, and civil society organizations including Eklavya, Tata Trusts, and more. Mukul is passionate about enriching education through diverse children's literature, emphasizing linguistic diversity. She contributes as an editor, translator, and educationist, promoting the importance of language in learning.
Mr. Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar, an esteemed academic at Azim Premji University since 2014, has a diverse and impactful career. He managed children's book publishing at Room to Read India and coordinated educational programs at Digantar. His educational journey includes degrees in Hindi literature, teaching as a lecturer, and a unique stint at Ghent University, Belgium. Manoj is a prolific writer with numerous journal articles, book reviews, and contributions to education. He's also an editor and has presented at conferences, addressing vital issues in the field. Additionally, he engages with popular press and writes for children, further solidifying his significant role in academia and literature.
Mr. Udayan Vajpeyi
Udayan Vajpeyi is a prolific author with a diverse portfolio, including poetry, short stories, essays, plays, and novels. He has authored numerous collections of poems, short stories, and essays, exploring a wide range of themes. His literary work has been translated into multiple languages and has achieved international recognition. Additionally, Vajpeyi has been involved in theater, film, and lectures on arts and literature in various countries. His contributions extend to writing for documentary films and editing an arts and literature journal. He resides and works in Bhopal, India, and has made significant contributions to the world of literature and arts.
Arun Kamal
Arun Kamal is a leading Indian poet writing in Hindi. He has six poetry collections and three selections of poems to his credit. As a literary essayist, his publications include two volumes of critical essays and a book of conversations. Has also published a verse play and an autobiographical narrative.
He is a recipient of several awards including Sahitya Akademi Award(1998),Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad highest honour for total contributions; and Kalinga International Literary Award.
Kamlesh Joshi
Kamlesh Chandra Joshi is a Teacher Educator. Since the last 30 years he is engaged in Primary Education with different organisations, working in area of Children Literature, Early Literacy and Teacher Development with great interest. He has published many articles on issues of language pedagogy, children’s books, teacher development in various educational journals and edited the educational magazine ‘प्रारम्भ शैक्षिक संवाद’ in the past.
Sonika Kaushik
Sonika Kaushik holds a doctoral degree in early literacy from University of Delhi and been engaged with the field of education as a teacher, teacher educator and researcher for more than two decades. Her work with the reading and early literacy programmes at the NCERT spans nearly a decade. Currently, Sonika serves as the Lead for Professional Development vertical of Parag Initiative including the Library Educators Course in Hindi and the Children’s Library Course.
Miss. Venita Coehlo
Venita Coelho works with words, images and paints. She is a screenwriter and artist as well as a director. As a writer for children, she has won the Sahitya Akademi award, The Hindu Goodreads award, the Neev award and the Peekabook award. She has twelve published books to her credit that range from a handbook on how to write television, to a collection of feminist ghost stories. She lives in Goa with her daughter and travels India in her Caravan.
Miss. Parul Kaushik
Parul Kaushik is an avid reader with a deep passion for children’s literature and fostering a love of reading in both children and adults. She firmly believe in the transformative power of books.
With over 14 years of experience in International Children's publishing as a product manager, She excels in product selection and has a talent for identifying outstanding books while advocating for independent publishers and booksellers.
Beyond her love for books and reading, she had a deep love for animals she happily shares my home with four cats and five dogs) and a strong commitment to animal welfare. Additionally, she's an avid crafter, finding joy in working with her hands. You'll most likely find her surrounded by books, cats, and yarn, as these are constants in her life.
Miss. Priya Kuriyan
Priya Kuriyan is a Children's book writer-illustrator and comics maker and chronic doodler. She has directed educational films for the Sesame street show (India) and the Children's Film Society of India (CFSI) and has illustrated numerous children's books for various Indian publishers. She lives and works in the city of Bangalore and in her spare time likes to make funny caricatures of its residents.
Dr Alka Hingorani
Dr. Alka Hingorani teaches at the IDC School of Design in IIT-Bombay. She is an architect and an art historian, and her book on mohras and mohra-makers in Himachal Pradesh is called Making Faces: Self and Image Creation in a Himalayan Valley (University of Hawai'i Press, 2012). She holds an MA in Design (Photography) and a PhD in History of Art, both from the University of California, Berkeley, where she also taught briefly before her return to India. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Her research interests include art and identity, storytelling as academic practice, and pedagogy at the cusp of classroom teaching and technology. Storytelling as pedagogy is a core pursuit at the Learn Through Stories Foundation (learnthroughstories.org), where she is one of three founder/directors.
Mr. Suddhasattwa Basu
Suddhasattwa Basu, a painter, illustrator and animation film maker studied Fine Art at the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata. He designed and illustrated Target magazine from 1981 till 1985, The Economic Times in 1990, Business Today and India Today Plus in-between 1992 and 1997.
He has designed and illustrated more than 60 books which include, Delhi through the Seasons and Nature Watch by Khushwant Singh, To Live in Magic - by Ruskin Bond, The Homecoming - by Vijaya Sulaiman, The Story of Garuda - by Roberto Calasso, Mahabharat - by Namita Gokhle. He has authored and illustrated The Song of a Scarecrow, 2003, Whatever You Give, 2009, Ravan Remedy, 2013. Chandernagor – A burg of the moon, 2022.
He directed and animated the country’s first animation tele-serial, Ghayab Aya, 1990 and his animation shorts have featured in national and international film festivals;
Suddhasattwa Basu has been visiting faculty at the College of Art, Delhi and the NID, Ahmedabad. He lives and works in Delhi.
Miss. Deepa Balsavar
Deepa Balsavar, a prolific writer and illustrator of 30+ children's books, earned recognition for works like 'The Seed' and 'The Lonely King and Queen.' Her 'Nani’s Walk to the Park' won multiple awards, including NEXT Publishing’s Book of the Year. In 2021, she received the Tata Trusts Big Little Book Award for her contributions to children's illustration. Deepa was a key member of the Avehi-Abacus Project for 20 years, focusing on integrated education and values. She also collaborated with UNICEF on projects related to children's education and development. Currently, she serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at IDC, IIT Bombay.
Miss. Nina Sabnani
Nina Sabnani is a renowned artist and storyteller known for her impactful work in film, illustration, and writing. Her animated films, often collaborative efforts with folk fablers, have garnered international acclaim, including a National Award in 2016. She received a lifetime achievement award for Illustration at the Tata Lit Live Festival in 2018 and The Legend of Indian Animation award in 2021. Nina's research focuses on the interplay between words and images in animated films and book illustrations. She holds positions at IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay, School of Design UPES, Dehradun, and Srishti Manipal Institute of Art Design and Technology. She currently resides in Chennai.
Miss. Proiti Roy
Proiti Roy is a children's book illustrator with a background in fine arts and graphic design. She transitioned to illustration after working in advertising and manufacturing in India and Bangladesh. Proiti is the recipient of the Big Little Book Award in 2017 and collaborates with publishers and NGOs like Ektara, Eklavya, Tulika Books, Pratham Books, Karadi Tales, Johns Hopkins, and Room to Read. She has a deep love for animals and resides in Shantiniketan, caring for 20 rescued dogs.
Shilpa Ranade
Shilpa Ranade is an Animator and Illustrator. She is a Professor at IDC School Of Design, IIT Bombay, where she teaches Animation and Image making. She works in the area of creating content for children and makes animation films and has illustrated numerous books for leading publishers. Her films have won accolades at some of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.
Indrapramit Roy
Indrapramit Roy is a visual artist with a three decade long practice and has been teaching at his alma mater, Faculty of Fine Arts, MSU of Baroda since 1995. He has illustrated for Orion London, The Hindu, Tara publishing, Ektara, J. Paul Getty museum of Los Angeles etc. over the years. Honours and fellowships include Inlaks Scholarship, Erasmus Exchange Scholarship to spend a term at HdK Berlin, Govt. of India-Junior Research Fellowship, the Fulbright fellowship – USA and Artist-in-Residence at The Siena Art Institute, Italy
Sushil Shukla
Sushil Shukla is currently Director at Ektara – Children’s Literature Centre of Takshila. He has a vast body of work in the field of Children Literature for the last almost twenty five years – including writing, editing and publishing. He is also the Director of Riyaz, a unique initiative for illustrators, which he actively helped conceptualise. He ran the children’s magazine Chamak as an editor for a decade and a half and has edited more than a hundred children’s books. He is also currently involved in the ideation and editing of two children’s magazines named Cycle and Pluto.