Support Us
Towards 50, One Word at a Time!
Sixteen years ago, we started Bookaroo with a dream. To foster a love for books in children by bringing them in contact with the creators of those books. To that end, in different cities across the country all year round, year after year, Bookaroo has been organizing literary festivals that invite story-tellers, authors and illustrators to come and work their magic on young hearts and minds!
Thousands of children from all walks of life are welcomed warmly and heartily; many of them have never met an author or held a signed copy of a book in their hands before!
Parents usually accompany their little ones, forging deeper bonds as they grow together in their love for the written word. This, in an era where mobile phones and scrolling through social media has become the predominant source of entertainment.
For some children (and parents too!), Bookaroo has been their first real connection to the world of books outside of a classroom. This is particularly so in the case of those who live in smaller cities, or come to us from government-run schools or NGOs. The interactions are truly heart-warming! From listening to our authors discuss their books, attending illustration workshops or sitting wide-eyed before story-tellers experiencing the worlds they evoke through their music and stories.
The chance to interact directly with the speaker and have books signed by them makes for a beautiful culmination of each session. Many a parent has told us what a game-changer Bookaroo has been in their child’s reading journey. And when children who cannot pay to attend a ticketed event walk into ours with nothing to stop them, our joy is complete…
Bookaroo is grateful to have had the chance to create lifelong readers. Today, second generation attendees are brought in by parents who attended our events years ago. School teachers, having accompanied their students, return a day or two later with their grandchildren!
And so, it is imperative that we continue to keep this festival accessible to all, that no child is turned away because they could not afford to pay an entrance fee. This is why the festival is non-ticketed and completely open to all. A vital part of Bookaroo’s work is that in every city that we conduct a festival, we unfailingly travel to schools and libraries in that city’s underserved communities (such as paediatric wings in government hospitals, juvenile correction centres and offer the children there free sessions with book creators.
Today, after 16 years of travelling through 17 cities across three different countries, Bookaroo now approaches the incredible milestone of its 50th edition! As we reflect upon this magical journey, we concede that magic, too, needs sustenance to proceed unhindered on its journey. And so, we ask for you to join forces with us in helping us keep the spirit of Bookaroo alive and thriving.
Your support will:
- Bring in more diverse authors, illustrators and storytellers, some of whom bring us the stories of their people in their Own Voices
- Keep Bookaroo free and open to the public
- Create a reading movement across the length and breadth of the country
- Help us create awareness and buzz about our events
- Train and nurture volunteers who will go on to become the backbone of the festival
We believe that every child deserves the wonder, and joy of reading. And we hope you’ll see the power of our mission and stand with us to keep the legacy going.
Swati Roy and Venkatesh
Festival Directors
Donations to Bookaroo are eligible for exemption up to the limits as set under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. We shall issue a receipt for the same immediately.
Bookaroo is a registered charitable trust with 80G and 12A registrations.
80G Regn No: AABTB4683RF20216 * CSR Regn no: CSR00006036 * Trust Regn No: 6254
