Writers need to connect with children: Ramendra Kumar

Award-winning children's writer Ramendra Kumar has said authors need to connect with "vibrant minds" before penning books for them.

Expressing satisfaction after participating at the Sharjah Childrens Reading Festival (SCRF), held from April 17 to 27, Kumar said the festival is one of the "best" events, to have been attended by him.

The writer represented India at the programme, featuring 33 authors from 18 countries.

"The festival is one of the best events related to childrens literature which I have attended. The children though are the same everywhere bright with ideas and imagination. All we writers need to do is to connect and catlayse," Kumar told PTI.

Kumar, who is the Chief of Communications, SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), said he took part in panel discussions on 'The craft of writing childrens books' and 'Fiction in childrens and young adults literature.

The writer said he was also taken to four schools in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah as a part of the festivals outreach programme, during which he discussed the art of spinning yarns, conducted story telling sessions and interacted with the "vibrant minds".

"In one of the schools in Abu Dhabi the number of children was a whopping 1100 a humongous number by any standards," he said.

The writer was also extended a special invite to a school in Dubai, beyond the schedule of the festival.

Kumar who has authored 36 books is also a storyteller and inspirational speaker.

His writings have been translated into 15 Indian and 14 foreign languages.