From children, for children: Koppal students create 14 picture books
Fourteen picture books, created, written and illustrated by children from government schools in Koppal, were released on Saturday at an event held at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bengaluru.
Nineteen students, all studying in grades 5-8, worked on the books for over a year. While some of them crafted their own stories, others made illustrations
Updated - October 31, 2026 07:01 pm IST - Bengaluru
Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Uma Mahadevan; Kannada Development Authority Chairperson Purushothama Bilimale; founder-director Yellara Pustaka; Vanita Annayya Yaji; and other dignitaries launching 14 children’s books during a Children’s Libraries and Literature event at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
Fourteen picture books, created, written and illustrated by children from government schools in Koppal, were released on Saturday at an event held at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bengaluru.
Nineteen students, all studying in grades 5-8, worked on the books for over a year. While some crafted their own stories, others made the illustrations.
Nineteen students, all studying in grades 5-8, worked on the books for over a year. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
A project of Kalike by Tata Trusts, the books were published by Yellara Pustaka.
“We had already published two books for children and by children in 2021 and 2023. After seeing that, Kalike approached us for this project,” said Kailash Tiptur, co-founder of Yellara Pustaka.
A preliminary workshop of 10 days was conducted for about 60 children, from whom 19 children were selected. Over the course of a year, several workshops were conducted, and the children were introduced to multiple art media and styles such as watercolour, crayon, Warli painting, Madhubani, and so on. The workshops also provided guidance on ways to tell stories and introduced children to theatre and creative writing.
Along with the 14 books authored and illustrated by children, two books by Kalike team members were also released. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
“The workshops didn’t force them to do anything. We just created an environment where they could do what they wanted to do. Some wanted to draw; some wanted to tell stories. We left it to them,” Mr. Kailash said.
The books have been conceived for children, by children.
Stories told to children are often clichéd stories passed down for hundreds of years, with many of them being moral stories, Mr. Kailsh noted.
Children along with dignitaries launching the books in the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
“We adults keep telling children only our stories. There is no freshness to it. The Kalike team wanted to do something about it. This is an attempt where children could break free from monotony, and their individuality could be brought out,” he said.
Along with the 14 books authored and illustrated by children, two books by Kalike team members were also released. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
Along with the 14 books authored and illustrated by children, two books by Kalike team members were also released. According to Mr. Kailash, a resource book showcasing the entire initiative would be brought out in the coming days.
Published - October 31, 2026 06:53 pm IST
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