The Hope Train

Hi everyone, I hope you are safe and taking all the necessary precautions. These are difficult times, but such times in the past have also been turning points in history, and this might be one. It is difficult to stay cooped up in the house without friends or seeing the outside world. There are only so many things one can do around the place (with or without the internet), and only so much time for which one can tolerate the parents. I grew up during some difficult times in my homeland. There were frequent curfews and shutdowns. So I know how it feels to be forced to stay indoors. Children in Kashmir have had to face a terrible time. At least the countrywide lockdown is meant to protect us from the virus. But please do spare a thought for those who do not have food or money during this period, and may not have a job in future. I spend my time doing household chores and attending to various domestic tasks. I try to read when I get the time. I check the news online when ...

Illustrated letter from Illustrator Tanvi Bhat Tanvi Bhat is a freelance illustrator who lives in Mumbai. She’s a self-taught artist and loves to draw for children’s books. She has illustrated books over 18 books for publishers like Pratham Books, Amar Chitra Katha, Duckbill Books and Tulika Books and more. She works with watercolors and gouache and gets inspiration from things she sees when exploring the streets of colorful India.

Letter from author Harshikaa Udasi Dear young readers, Guess how I woke up this morning? Fii fii fii fii fii fiyum fiyum… Two weeks ago, when I was sitting in the rush city of Mumbai, if I had heard that sound, I would have surely thought it was my phone ringing with someone on the other side waiting to ask me about work. Mumbai is the sort of city that doesn’t let anybody walk or take a stroll. We are forever running. You know, right, how everyone keeps running from one place to another – moms, dads, uncles, aunts, teachers, even you? But since March 16, my phone is pushed away to one corner of my house. So peculiar sounds mean only few things to me – either my son is calling out my name, or my tummy is making noises and asking for food, or there is a new bird whose lovely voice is echoing through my house. So when I woke up today, I rushed, not to work but to our backyard! I am writing to you from a small town called Deolali which is in Nas...

Letter from Kate Dicamillo Dear Readers, Hello from Minneapolis where the world is quiet and still and overcast. I just went out for a walk with my dog, Ramona. We stayed six feet away from the other people out walking, but we all called "hello" to each other.In this hard time, it is wonderful to greet strangers as friends (even if it is from a distance). Here are some things I saw on the walk that cheered me: a chalk drawing on the sidewalk of a mermaid, an impossibly small purple flower blooming next to a fence, a woman sitting on her front porch reading a book. Speaking of books, what a comfort they are in these times! I feel as if books are literally shining light into my life--just like the sidewalk mermaid and the purple flower, they offer radiance, connection, peace. I hope that you are well, and reading and finding some measure of comfort in the people and si...

Letter From Khyrunnisa A. Hello my dear young friends! How are you? Doing well, I hope. And how have you been spending your time? You’ve got long holidays, right? Very long holidays, but so different from the kind you have been used to. These are not exactly what we can call happy holidays. There are too many restrictions that stop you from enjoying the holidays, from being free from care.   No going out to play, no visiting your friends, no friends visiting you, no eating out, no picnics, no shopping, no rollicking rough and tumble games of football and kabaddi, no cricket or badminton, no summer camps, no swimming lessons, no art or music classes, no..., no..., no... A long list of ‘no’s. You were so happy when school closed unexpectedly. Did you say, ‘Wheee! Is the world coming to an end? Can’t believe this, school is actually closing early for the summer, and no exams either! Yay! So many holidays! Wheeeee!!’ You began making plans for the long holida...