As part of its Language Week celebrations, Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, recently hosted a special Meet the Author session featuring Ms Anjali Mandal, an educator, storyteller, and author of Ticky Tock and Other Tales. The event sought to inspire students to develop a genuine love for reading and understand how language fuels creativity and self-expression.
The morning began with a green welcome, symbolising respect and appreciation. Ms Mandal then took the stage to share her personal journey with students from Classes VI to VIII. Once a finance professional in London, she spoke about discovering her true calling in teaching and storytelling. Her narrative encouraged students to follow their passions and embrace the joy of creative exploration.
Lessons beyond the page
In an engaging interaction, the author shared how everyday experiences and emotions often shape her stories, bringing relatable characters and moments to life. She highlighted how reading helps young minds build imagination, empathy, and emotional intelligence, nurturing both creativity and self-expression. Her stories, she said, are drawn from life and often reflect the curiosity and wonder of childhood.
The session also included lively, story-based games that encouraged students to think creatively and participate enthusiastically. These activities transformed the room into a space of laughter and learning, where stories came alive through imagination, collaboration, and shared joy.
Speaking about her experience, Aram Noor of Class VIII shared, “The story completion activity was fun, and it made me feel like I can make more stories.” With a similar sentiment, Azlan of Class VII said, “It was an amazing event, and it motivated me to write a lot and imagine more.”
Harshil of Class VI stated, “It made me feel that we can think more easily by reading and create an imaginary world of our own.”
The event became a memorable highlight of Language Week, reminding everyone of the lasting impact of words and the endless joy that storytelling brings to both the mind and heart.