Koppal government-school students release 14 picture books in Bengaluru

Fourteen picture books carrying the stories and artwork of children from Koppal government schools were released on Saturday at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bengaluru.

Nineteen students in Classes 5 to 8 worked on the books for more than a year. Some developed stories, while others illustrated them. The children were selected after a 10-day introductory workshop involving about 60 participants.

The initiative was run by Kalike, supported by Tata Trusts, with Yellara Pustaka publishing the books. Workshops introduced the students to watercolour, crayon, Warli painting and Madhubani, alongside theatre, creative writing and ways of building a story.

Yellara Pustaka co-founder Kailash Tiptur said the sessions let children choose whether they wanted to draw or tell stories, rather than directing them towards a fixed format. Two books by Kalike team members were also released at the event.

A resource book documenting the initiative is planned.