Talking Cub (the children’s imprint of Speaking Tiger) is proud to announce the publication of A Bend in Time: Writings by Children on the COVID-19 Pandemic,with an introduction by award-winning children’s writer Bijal Vachharajani.
A unique and timely book, it puts forth the emotions and thoughts of children and young adults about the greatest global crisis in recent times: the COVID-19 pandemic. These twelve engrossing pieces are drawn from across the country and social groups, and convey varied viewpoints and responses to the pandemic and resultant lockdowns.
Funny, thoughtful, wise and empathetic, this collection showcases the creativity and the mind of the present generation.
The book is now available on Speaking Tiger Books here.
Announcing the release, publisher Sudeshna Shome Ghosh, says: “As the pandemic and the lockdowns continue across the country, we are seeing how the children around us are dealing with a sudden upturning of their usual patterns of life. What is going on really in their minds? How many children are being asked to express their fears and insecurities in this situation?
The pieces in this book depict a variety of minds. They cover different aspects of life and society, as well as straddle the personal and public. And since they are written by children, there is an underlying humour, cheekiness, and angst in them.
Art is what keeps us alive and sane in difficult times. Writing is one way of reminding us of beauty even in the worst of times. Creativity opens a window to our souls and lets us speak our thoughts in a medium that brings us comfort and joy. We need to encourage creativity in children now more than ever.”
In her introduction to the book, Bijal Vachharajani writes: “These twelve children and young adults reflect so many thoughts, questions, narratives. The depth of their thoughts doesn’t astound me—children are way smarter than groan-ups. But not all children get to tell their stories. Not all of them have access to the Internet, to facilities, to online schooling, to socially distanced homes and neighbourhoods. While some are safe at home, so many have had to walk for miles to get to their homes. Inequalities have come to the forefront, and it’s vital that privilege be examined and challenged. And so many children in this book are thinking about that.”
ABOUT THE BOOK
In this collection of stories and essays by children and young adults from different parts of India, we see unbridled imagination and empathy, as they write about what is happening around them. While one writer wonders why her dreams have gone missing, another turns to history to see what lockdowns would have been like in ancient times. There are heartrending and deeply emotional stories of lives lost and the stark inequalities that the pandemic has laid bare. Some writers wonder if the star of hope will ever shine again, and others look for relief in scientific thought, in writing, and in books.
Throughout the collection there runs a sense of time lost and gained—of how this phase of global history is a bend in time. Intensely honest, wise yet innocent, thoughtful and full of hope, this anthology, introduced by award-winning children’s writer Bijal Vachharajani, is a peek into the mind of a generation that could re-imagine our world and, if we are lucky, make it safer, wiser and more compassionate.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
Archita Agrawal | Ishaan Ghosh | Lavanya Sinha | Mira Gupta | Omkar Mantri | Sharvari Sonawani | Shiv Malik | Shivani Sharma | Shreya Aiyer | Sofia Kakar | Tishya Tara | Uk!Yo
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Talking Cub is the children’s imprint of independent publishing house Speaking Tiger Books. Publishing since 2018, Talking Cub has established itself as an imprint with exciting books, both fiction and non-fiction, for children of all ages. Talking Cub publishes poetry, short stories, novels, books on history, biographies, picture books and more. Talking Cub has published authors such as Jerry Pinto, Bulbul Sharma, Paro Anand, Ranjit Lal, Subhadra Sen Gupta, Deepa Agarwal, Bijal Vachharajani, Andaleeb Wajid and many others. Talking Cub books have appeared in many recommended reading lists and have received critical recognition as well.