Proddatur Hosts Book Unveiling and Children’s Storytelling Event
PRODDATUR: The children’s book The Story of Giraffe Chess, authored by Dr. Bhagya Shree Nadamala, was unveiled in Proddatur by Sri D. K. Chaduvula Babu, recipient of the 2023 Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award. The unveiling was held alongside a Giraffe Chessstorytelling competition for schoolchildren, bringing together educators, chess enthusiasts, coaches and members of the local community to celebrate children’s literature and creative learning.
Award-Winning Literary Figure Praises the Book
After unveiling the book, Sri Chaduvula Babu praised its sports theme and moral message. He noted that the author had woven the chess pieces into the story through simple dialogue, making the book accessible to young readers. He also highlighted its potential use by schoolteachers during storytelling sessions and as a resource for organising storytelling competitions. His remarks emphasised the book’s dual purpose: offering children an engaging story while creating opportunities to explore chess through reading and narration.
Author Focuses on Child-Friendly Storytelling
Dr. Bhagya Shree Nadamala, Assistant Professor of English at Vignan University and the book’s author, said she had worked to make the text child-friendly through simple language and a fantasy-based narrative. The story introduces readers to Giraffe Chess, described at the event as a chess variant played on a 68-square board. The approach aims to help children enjoy a fictional story while becoming familiar with the game and its rules. Dr. Nadamala holds an M.A. in English and a PhD from IIT Patna, and was described by the publisher as an English gold medalist. Her contribution brings together literary storytelling and an introduction to an innovative board-game format.
Publisher Highlights Learning Through Giraffe Chess
Smt. Nare Sailaja, the book’s publisher and Director of the International Giraffe Chess Federation (IGCF), said the publication had been prepared with children in mind. She expressed hope that young readers would use the book to learn about playing Giraffe Chess on its 68-square board. She also thanked Dr. Nadamala for accepting the invitation to write the story. The book’s launch highlighted how children’s publishing can introduce a game through narrative, potentially making rules and gameplay more approachable for younger audiences.
Schoolchildren Recognised in Storytelling Competition
The accompanying Giraffe Chessstorytelling competition gave schoolchildren an opportunity to demonstrate their narration skills. Participants presented their stories, and the organisers announced K. Daval Kumar as the winner, K. Mahi Reddy as runner-up, and Maniswini in third place. Pratap Reddy, Secretary of Dhara Apartment, presented trophies to the storytellers and appreciated their active participation. The competition added a participatory element to the event, encouraging children to speak before an audience, interpret a story and express ideas in their own way.
Educators and Chess Community Attend
The occasion was attended by Dr. Priyanka Tripathi of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Patna, Dr. G. Mohana Charyulu, Professor in the English Department at Vignan University, Guntur, and Prof. A. Sharada, Dean of International Students. They congratulated the author on the book. Giraffe Chess players from across Proddatur also attended, along with coaches N. Nagarjuna and P. Aravind. Their presence reflected the local chess community’s participation in an event connecting the game with reading, narration and school-level engagement.
Promoting Reading, Values and Creative Learning
The book unveiling and competition underscored the value of encouraging children to read, narrate stories and engage with activities that combine imagination and learning. Through The Story of Giraffe Chess, the organisers presented a way to introduce a chess variant within a child-friendly narrative while also promoting moral themes and public-speaking practice. The Proddatur gathering brought literature, education and chess enthusiasts together around a shared objective: creating engaging learning experiences for children through stories and participation.
Related Videos
· Book unveiling and event video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EcnkSgkCY/
Storytelling competition video: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CdgSh2vED/
