Book Into the Future: A magical celebration of stories

Books have a way of turning ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, and at Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld, GK-II this belief came alive in the most enchanting way. Recently, the school culminated its Literacy Month with the much-awaited Book Fair – “Book Into the Future: Magic Edition”. The day beautifully blended the joy of reading, community warmth, and a little sprinkle of magic underlining the importance of nurturing young readers from an early age.

A Warm Beginning

The fair commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting and inspiring words from dignitaries, who emphasised that literacy is not just about reading words, it is about shaping minds, nurturing empathy, and expanding the horizons of imagination in children.

At the entrance, guests received a “green welcome” from School Head, Mrs. Komal Nathani, symbolising growth and sustainability. The highlight of the inauguration was the
ribbon-opening ceremony, where distinguished guests joined hands to officially open the fair.

Special invitees

Among the special guests present were Mr. Shreyas Sharma, Senior Editor at Think Tank, father of Pre-Nursery student Sreeti Mudi; Mr. Vaibhav Rathi, Senior Advisor of the
Indo-German Project for Climate Action in India, and his wife Ms. Swati Singh Sambyal, an international circular economy expert, parents of Pre-Nursery student Ira.

Further, Dr. Shiva Khurana, renowned paediatrician at Max Saket and a cherished ex-parent of Rhythms; Mr. Sanjay Rana and Mrs. Jyoti Rana, respected General Secretaries of the RWA; and Ms. Aparna Mudi, celebrated children’s author and Head of Content & Growth at Fully Fractional graced the event.

Each dignitary shared inspiring thoughts on how stories nurture curiosity, imagination, and empathy in children, reminding parents that literacy is not just about reading, but about shaping a child’s worldview.

Welcoming the guests, Mrs. Komal Nathani, School Head, emphasised the core purpose of the event, “The whole idea of this event is to encourage reading amongst the little ones. In a digitally driven world, reading is often replaced by cartoons or online stories. We want our children to be surrounded by books, feel the texture of books, explore board books, and use techniques like Jolly Phonics that help them become early readers. Daily reading strengthens language, literacy, imagination, empathy, problem-solving, and even parent-child bonds. Stories carry moral values, teaching children compassion, empathy, and decision-making from a young age.”

A Young Storyteller Steals the Show

The magical tone of the fair was set by Aahana Mathur, a MYP-1 (Grade 6) student of Apeejay’s IB School (Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park). At just 11 years old, Aahana has already authored 10 children’s books, a feat that left the audience in awe.

Standing before eager little listeners, she began with her book Milly and Mittens at Grandmama’s Farm. What made the session extraordinary was her creativity, she brought along soft toy versions of her characters, inviting children to guess, laugh, and interact as the story unfolded.

“When I was in Grade 3, I had a passion project where I chose to write my first book, Lily’s Birthday. My teachers encouraged me, and since then, I have written and illustrated ten books on my own,” Aahana shared, her young voice filled with pride and passion.

Her storytelling was not a monologue, it was a dialogue. The children excitedly answered her questions, “Have you ever been to a farm?” “What sound does water make when we splash?” Together, they chanted “Splish! Splash! Sploosh!” turning the auditorium into a lively theatre of imagination.

The session concluded with a lesson of kindness and courage, as Aahana’s characters reminded everyone that helping friends and believing in oneself can make the impossible possible. Parents and students applauded thunderously, clearly moved by the confidence and creativity of a young author.

Books, Stories, and Endless Discovery

After the storytelling, families explored the Full Circle Bookstore exhibition, which showcased a wide collection of children’s literature – ranging from picture books to interactive activity sets, from Indian authors to renowned international voices. Parents expressed delight at discovering global titles under one roof, while children were seen clutching their favourite finds with wide smiles. The interactive setup encouraged children to discover, touch, and explore books independently, fostering a lifelong love for reading.

For many, it was not just a book exhibition but a reminder that books can be lifelong companions, sparking curiosity and joy beyond the classroom.

Parents, too, were captivated. Ms Prerna, mother of Meher, reflected, “I’m so glad we chose this school for her. The way the school is grooming the child overall, whether in art, music, or literacy skills is phenomenal. In times when everything is on iPads and phones, having a book is a luxury. Reading is a dying art which should be promoted, and at the age of three and a half onwards, it really helps in the future.”

Mr Rishabh, the parent of twins Rigansh and Rishaan, added, “The teacher took us through their drawings and crafts, which was very nice. We also had a reading session by a student and a book fair. These interactions help in school associating well with parents and understanding expectations.”

For some, the day resonated on a more personal level. Ms. Swati Singh Sambyal, the guest and a published author and parent noted, “It was mesmerising to see how our kids are flourishing here. I would like more such sessions involving parents.”

Echoing the importance of reading in the digital age, Aalekh’s parents, Arpan and Manisha, observed, “Most kids today are glued to screens. But picking up a book is so much better. Reading builds values and good habits in life. Our son enjoyed the storytelling session and we were impressed by the book collection here.”

A Day to Remember

As the event drew to a close with another round of Aahana’s storytelling for latecomers, one thing was clear: the day had left an imprint on young hearts. Students were so engrossed that they were reluctant to leave, even as the school announced the start of Dussehra holidays.

A Message from the School

Reflecting on the success of the event, Mrs. Komal Nathani, School Head, shared, “At Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld, we believe that books are not just stories on pages, but windows to the world of imagination, knowledge, and values. Reading in the early years lays the foundation for language, creativity, and critical thinking, while also nurturing empathy and curiosity. Our aim is to foster a culture where every child learns to cherish books as their lifelong companions.”

She also noted, “Encouraging reading in preschool builds a strong foundation for academic success and nurtures traits like empathy, problem-solving, and compassion. Through stories, we hope to guide our children to become not only skilled readers but also good human beings.”

And with that, the Book Into the Future: Magic Edition truly lived up to its name, reminding everyone present that the future belongs to those who dream, imagine, and read.