Bibliofile

Writers of children's literature like to think it's a special art. Not all writers can write for kids, they often assert. But there is a sudden spurt of books that may prove them wrong. Githa Hariharan, Anita Nair and Manjula Padmanabhan are among a half-dozen authors who've lately come out with books for children. And it's not just a one-off thing. Says Anita Nair whose The Puffin Book of World Myths and Legends has just hit the book shops: "The only difference between writing for adults and writing for children is that I have to be more conscious of dialogue. Children like a lot more conversation in their stories." That, and some 'sanitising' work, especially when it's a book of myths. "Most myths tend to be too full of debauchery."

One autobiography does not a writer make, but having discovered the difficult joys of writing, Leila Seth is now resolving to embark on a second book. This one will combine two of her passions: the Indian Constitution and teaching children. The book is going to be a primer on the Constitution for children of 12-15, teaching them about their rights and duties in a painless, untextbookish way.