Lalitpur

The Asia Foundation and Srijanalaya in collaboration with National Human Right Commission (NHRC) are delighted and honored to announce the launch of six picture books for children and young adults. Organised by KathaSatha, the launch festivities will include readings, conversations, discussions and talks from March 10-11, 2022.

The main launch event will be held on 10 March at 11AM (Nepal time). All launch events will be broadcasted LIVE via Facebook pages of Let’sReadNepal, National Human Rights Commission of Nepal - NHRC, Nepal, Srijanalaya, and KathaSatha pages. These six picture books on child rights were created by a team of six writers and eight illustrators led by managing editor, Muna Gurung. The writers are Bina Theeng, Pranika Koyu, Sarita Pariyar, Swapnil Smriti, Tirtha Gurung, Ujjwala Maharjan, and the illustrators are Alina Chhantel, DidiBahini (Dristi Manandhar & Keepa Manandhar), PayalSapanaPaints(Pallavi Payal and Sapana Sanjeevani), Roseena Shakya, Rupak Raj Sunuwar, and Swornim Shakya. The team worked collaboratively for fifteen months to bring these books to life. These six stories compel readers to discuss the difficult topics of juvenile justice, bullying and harrassment, child labour, and caste, ethnicity and disability- based discrimination.

Each book tells a unique story that addresses various intersectionalities of child rights in Nepal and each story varies in subject, style, and texture, taking us from the hills of Panchthar to the villages of Sikles by way of Hetauda and Kathmandu. All six books will be available for free to read in both Nepali and English via Books for Asia’s Let’s Read digital library.

Ambar Ko Dhun/ Ambar’s Song
Written by Pranika Koyu
Illustrated by PayalSapana Paints

Chhyanbale
Written by Tirtha Gurung
Illustrated by Roseena Sakya

Gayal Keto/ The Absent Boy
Written by Bina Theeng Tamang
Illustrations by DidiBahini

Juvie
Written by Ujjwala Maharjan
Illustrated by Alina Chhantel

Sunaulo Sungur / The Golden Pig

Written by Swapnil Smriti
Illustrated by Swornim Shakya

Utsukta
Written by Sarita Pariyar
Illustrated by Rupak Raj Sunuwar