Read Aloud

Launch of Bala The Bunny And Other Stories

Praxis Institute for Participatory Practices successfully launched its Read Aloud series of participatory storybooks for children and young adults at Odyssey’s flagship store in Adyar, Chennai, on Sunday, November 20, 2011.

Dr Charu Hasan, eminent lawyer, actor and a thinker in his own right, released the first book in the series – Bala the Bunny and Other Stories. Regaling children with stories from his childhood, the octogenarian urged kids to listen to every voice but form conclusions on their own.

Bala the Bunny And Other Stories tells the stories of characters whose right to voice their concerns and opinions about their own lives and livelihoods is muzzled. The stories have been adapted from real-life case studies based on research projects undertaken by Praxis in the past 15 years.

Storyteller, researcher and independent writer ShobanaJayaraman brought to life the characters in Bala the Bunny, getting the young listeners to join her through their imaginative narratives.  

She introduced the book’s uniqueness to the children, pointing out the stories lacked endings, because they wanted children to come up with their own. At the end of the session, she invited her newly gained young fans to write to Praxis their own endings to the stories.

Odyssey played hosts to the hilt by arranging a surprise gift for the children gathered, who had been enjoying the session with rapt attention.  

The Book

The book, designed attractively and priced affordably, is available here and through Flipkart.

It recognises the importance of introducing children to social issues in a gentle manner to initiate a thought process that helps them empathise with the poor and marginalised in society. It gives children the space to creatively engage with issues in a participatory manner and find meaning ways of making a change in the realities people living on the fringes of society face.
The book offers your child the opportunity to take part in a contest by ending the stories in a way they think best.

Price: Rs 70

Pages: 25

End The Story Contest

Six steps to share your stories with the world!

1. Read the stories in Bala The Bunny And Other Stories
2. Discuss the stories with friends
3. End each story the way you think best
4. Send us your ending of the story
5. Tell us why you chose the ending
6. Email your entries to us along with the scanned feedback at the end of the book to readaloud@praxisinida.org

Or just post your entries to

Praxis - Institute for Participatory Practices,

Flat No - 5 D 808 Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600010

The best entries will find their entrieshere

All entries by one child must be accompanied by one completed feedback form.

Write to Us

Name ................................................

Age ....................    Sex ....................

Address ............................................

...........................................................

Email id .............................................

Have you read Bala the Bunny And Other Stories? Y / N

Did you like the book? Y/N

I liked/disliked Bala the Bunny And Other Stories because..........................................................................

..........................................................................

..........................................................................

Would you like to write stories on similar issues that you may have come across
around you for the next issue of Read Aloud? Y / N

Any queries, suggestions? Drop a line at readaloud@praxisindia.org