CHANDIGARH, January 22: The decline in the reading habits of children is perhaps because of the non-availability of attractive books as also due to their high prices. The enthusiasm displayed by tiny tots as they browsed through the colourful books excitedly, at the Community Book Fair, seemed to support the statement.The Book Fair was inaugurated today and has been organised by Scholastic India, a subsidiary of Scholastic Corporation of USA, at Bal Bhawan, Sector 23. The exhibition is on till January 25.
Visitors, especially children, ran excitedly from stand to stand marvelling at the bright riot of colours and the attractive illustrations and cut outs in books. While the children eagerly browsed through the books, the parents busied themselves with buying the same. Perhaps it were the attractive prices that made the parents show such keen interest.
While a series of fiction books for above 14 age group are available for Rs 60, Scholastic's price for favourites like ``20,000 Leagues Under The Sea''
and ``Around The World in 80 Days'' by Jules Verne range between Rs 80 and Rs 100. Classics from Penguin are also available at a low price of Rs 60.
R.L. Stine's ``Goosebumps'' for children between 12 and 14, which has become a hot favourite and a bestseller in US, is also attracting buyers. Ann M. Martin's ``Baby Sitters'' for children above 12 years of age and ``Little Sister'' for those under 12 have also been warmly received.
A wide range of books for children of all age groups are also on display along with books with titles like ``Math Games'', ``Math Stories'', ``Math Mind Stretchers'', ``Math Mysteries'', which in spite of dealing with a subject generally not liked, are drawing a good response.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
