Children’s books lack variety

Around hundred publishing houses have set up stalls at Shishu Chattar at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela. A number of childrens' books have been published by these publication houses. However, parents have claimed that there's little to no variation in these books.

Readers also said they've noticed carelessness in these books. A lot of poorly written books have been  published without any editing. There is no extra care applied to the art, printing, binding and decoration of these books.

Jashim Uddin, a visitor from Rampura, brought his wife and two daughters to the book fair yesterday. He said he wants his daughters to read science fiction or educational books. But his daughter, a second-grader had decided for herself what kind of books she wants. She likes ghost and books with cartoon characters.

He laughed and said, "My daughter hasn't bought any of my favorite books yet. She said when she has finished buying her favorite book, she would buy books at her father's choice."

Another guardian, Amjad Hossain, also said he visited at least 10-15 stalls. It's all the same kinds of books. There is less variation in subject diversity.

He said, "My daughter is an English medium student. I couldn't find a book written in English about our country and our people. Most of the books are about unreal and imaginary subjects."

"Jhingeful", a children's book publishing house, has brought out two books -- Muhammad Nurul Huda's Khokababu of Tungipara and Lutfar Rahman Riton's "Dabaya Rakhta Parba Na". Their stall also has selected children's literature by Sukumar Ray, Rabindranath Tagore's "Rabi Kishore" and Farrukh Ahmed's "Shishu-kishore Samagra".

At the stall of Pragati Publishers, it was noticed that pop-up and flip books are at the top of children's interest.

Nine books of Rabindranath Tagore and Ahsan Habib's comedies have been published in a new way for the readers of pre-primary level from Kinder Books.

Popular children's author Anjir Liton said, "Now those who are publishing children's books, there is definitely innovation in their work. However, the quality of children's literature will be better if you pay more attention to the diversity of subjects and writing."​

Kamrul Hasan Shayok, publisher of Panjeri Publications said, "We need more consciousness about children's books. Now the traditional stories aren't attracting children. So we need to find a way to transfer traditional stories to children of the modern-era."