Dateline Dehradun: On 6th October 2024, students of the Brooklyn School emerged winners for the book enactment of The Chhau Champ, Him Jyoti School for the book Akela, Mondrian House for Pagdi for Sinh, Oceanic International School for What the Dark Sounds Like and The Oasis for Out in the Moonlight, for the Valley of Words (VoW) Children’s Vertical 2024, held at Him Jyoti School, Dehradun. This year’s event brought together students from ten schools in the region and included Creative Book Reading, Book Enactments, Author interviews by school students and Crossword creating an immersive environment where students could celebrate their love for books and literature.
The Inaugural Ceremony commenced with greetings from the event’s hosts, the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Him Jyoti School choir, and a welcome address by Jyoti Dhawan, the Curator of the VoW Children’s Vertical.
In her opening remarks, Jyoti Dhawan expressed the essence of the event: “In a world that is fast filling with AI and virtual reality, VoW’s Children’s Vertical aims to initiate young children to the joys of reading and stimulate their creativity and expression. This is the 4th year we have organised a one-of-a-kind event to encourage the children of Dehradun to savour and celebrate the written word to enjoy reading, reciting, singing, enacting, or even mime, creating crosswords and writing creative book reviews!”
The event’s literary component was enriched by the presence of three acclaimed authors:
Richa Jha, author of Akela, a children’s story that explores themes of loneliness, imagination, and self-discovery. Through the eyes of a young protagonist, the book beautifully portrays how solitude can sometimes be a powerful space for creativity. Richa Jha is known for her sensitive approach to contemporary issues in children’s literature, and her book Akela encourages readers to embrace their individuality and find strength in their uniqueness.
Vibha Batra, author of The Chhau Camp, brought a fascinating narrative that takes readers into the world of traditional Indian dance forms. The story follows a young girl as she discovers her passion for Chhau, a classical Indian dance, and navigates the challenges that come with pursuing an art form often dominated by men. Vibha Batra’s work is celebrated for its vibrant storytelling and ability to weave cultural richness into stories that appeal to young readers.
Aparna Kapur, author of What the Dark Sounds Like, captivated the audience with her book, which explores themes of mystery, fear, and resilience. The book tells the story of a young girl overcoming her fear of darkness and finding strength in unexpected places. Aparna Kapur’s work is known for blending suspense with emotional depth, making it a thought-provoking read for young adults and children alike.
Each author engaged with the students during the Creative Book Reading session, where they shed light on their writing processes, character development, and the importance of literature in shaping young minds. Students were not only inspired by the stories but also encouraged to explore their creative potential through reading and storytelling.
The creative book reading session allowed students to showcase their interpretation of the authors’ works through expressive readings, while the book enactments saw them bring key scenes from the featured books to life. The crossword puzzles added an element of fun and competition, with participants engaging in literary-themed word games that tested their knowledge of authors, books, and genres.
The day’s proceedings were further enriched by Mr Manish Agarwal, the Regional Officer of CBSE, Ms Jyotsna Brar, former Principal of Welham Girls’ School, and Ms Ruma Malhotra, Principal of Him Jyoti School, who delivered speeches on the importance of such initiatives in the intellectual development of students.
The event drew towards the end with final remarks by Mr Sanjeev Chopra, Festival Director of Valley of Words, who commended the students for their performances and engagement throughout the day. He also announced the results, with winners from each activity awarded prizes and certificates.
Mr. Sanjeev Chopra shared, “The Children’s Vertical at VoW is a celebration of the best-illustrated books for children. This is the age when young minds must begin their lifelong engagement with books. And so, this genre is the most significant for Valley of Words.”
The day concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, where Jyoti Dhawan awarded the top performers in the book readings, enactments, and quizzes. The event was meticulously organized, with volunteers from the Valley of Words team ensuring the smooth execution of activities.
The VoW Children’s Vertical 2024 proved to be a remarkable success, continuing its tradition of fostering creativity and love for literature among young minds in Dehradun. The overwhelming response from students, educators, and authors confirmed the event’s impact, and it remains a unique platform for nurturing intellectual exploration in children.
 Children’s Vertical 2024, held at Him Jyoti School, Dehradun brought together schools from Dehradun to celebrate the written word){kind=link}