The Gijjigadus and the Fireflies

With over 100 children’s books under his belt, Atanu Roy has devoted much of his creative prowess to children’s literature. Roy’s use of bold colours and vivid details, capture the hearts and eyes of his readers. It’s no surprise then that Roy, who once worked as a political cartoonist for India Today, has won awards like the Children’s Choice Award for Book Illustrations and the IBBY Certificate of Honour for Illustrations.

Gopini is a poet and fictionist, and is assisstant director to N Shankar, a noted director in the Telugu film industry. Many of his poems have found place in well- read Telugu journals and dailies. He particularly admires the oral style of storytelling - a legacy of his blind grandmother- recreating in his writings. He says, through his writings he relives the memories of his childhood nights full of dreams and visions.