Written by Prerna Agarwal, LEC 2020
‘Learning should be a joy and full of excitement. It is life’s greatest adventure; it is an illustrated excursion into the minds of the noble and the learned.’
This quote by Taylor Caldwell overlooked my senior school corridor and always made me wonder, ‘How can that be?’ For my senior school experience was nothing like it. Even college classes in Delhi University were no fun. I like learning new things, exploring new ways of looking at life to try and make sense of everything that’s going on and hope to find joy in what I learn. And learning has indeed become more interesting since school but my LEC experience with Bookworm tops them all.
How my LEC journey began
My love for children’s books and stories and a chance meeting with an alumni, Upasana, in Gurgaon, drew me to the course. When I first heard about it from her, with a glow in her eyes and a smile that appeared at the mere mention of LEC, I knew I had to do it. So I looked it up that evening and was intrigued by the very idea of being in such a course. The smiling faces in the gallery pictures, said it all. And the venue as Goa was equally exciting – as for me Goa is a place synonymous with fun, leisure and excitement. And that’s how, my LEC journey began….without any previous experience of working in a library or children’s literature….. with just an open mind and a warm heart.
I must confess that I was slightly apprehensive about how it would all turn out for me and if it was apt for me, but even before the classes started, I was put to ease with the obvious warmth from the team – the way they interacted, their co-operative spirit, their readiness to make adjustments and their belief in the course offering. And am I glad I decided to take the plunge? The excitement started brewing with the opening of the virtual library and the collage activity. The reading began and with each book I read, a variety of emotions began to surface. I had never imagined that picture books could have stories on such grave and heavy issues of death, crime, caste or lgbtq. I was amazed, emotional, sad, surprised and puzzled as I read each book, so different from what I’d read before, so touching some of them and yet so beautiful.
The First Session – A mind-blowing start and thereon.
The first session brought mixed feelings – I was happy that the course had finally started and sad that it had to be virtual. But the broad smile and welcoming and warm opening by ‘Sujata – the wonderful’ and her loving word and gestures, especially the virtual tour of Bookworm to make us feel welcome and missed at the place at the same time, moistened my eyes. The love had seeped in and melted the ice, I felt as though we were family and all inhibitions vanished. The magic had begun.
That day, I heard my first ‘Book Talk’ by Usha Mukunda – ‘Gone Grandmother’. Usha ‘read’ the story intricately, deeply and shared some very pertinent observations in gentle fashion, her voice was soothing, her pace – matched the intensity of the story. It was amazing how a picture book could have so many layers of understanding.
Next we had Jane’s wonderful session in which we unlearned and relearned the concept of reading. The way she spoke, so gently and softly, I was glued to her words. It was so beautiful to think of reading the world around me thorough my senses, my emotions, to think about my first childhood reading experience and to make the mini book while connecting my reading journey to my personal world. The session was so thought provoking, I stayed with it all afternoon, only to be jolted with enthusiasm by Nayan during the evening session. She made us smile, laugh, move, share and bring out our creative skills as we engaged ourselves in making our library cards. The day was simply joyful and I couldn’t wait for more.
And thereon I’ve never ceased to wonder, ponder and mull over things discussed during the classes. The facilitators seem to have left no stone unturned to make this rather difficult journey a little easier for us, with mentors supporting and guiding us at every step. Each day has been special in it’s own way – the readings, the presentations, discussions, sharing of ideas, book talks, surprises, guests, audio-visuals, art, music, games, stories, activities, group work, energisers…..there’s no dearth of ideas here at Bookworm to keep us mesmerized with the variety and the engagement while gently yet firmly urging us to read a little more each day, as we come closer to the world that believes in creating a safe and happy place for children, filled with love and beautiful books, making reading a memorable and joyful experience.
While I write this, I’m so glad it’s not over yet and as I eagerly wait for our final and physical contact in Goa, I hope and pray that we can all make it and defy the evil virus, and finally step-in at Bookworm, where magic really happens and complete the course with fond memories of all these wonderful people next to me, as we click pictures to be cherished for life. 