The Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation (TNTESC) has signed an agreement with Sweet Cherry, London, to publish over 2,000 copies of innovative toddler books. These books will be brought out in various formats, including sound books, case books, board books, pop-up books, flip books, and poster books, in both English and Tamil. The agreement was signed recently at Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

The co-publishing efforts are expected to take 18-24 months, as per international publishing agreements. According to T Sankara Saravanan, Joint Director (Translation), TNTESC, the initiative aims to bring out more qualitative content and also expose the children to both languages from a young age.

The department is also in talks to bring Singapore’s Sherlock Sam series to Tamil Nadu. The series, which includes detective books and mystery stories, will be adapted to suit the Tamil culture, allowing children to explore and enjoy the stories.

During the book fair, officials met with publishers from over 35 countries and exchanged book rights, including those from Serbia, Jamaica, Romania, and Sri Lanka. The TNTESC has also signed agreements to publish child-friendly books on various topics, such as paleontology, cooking, theatre, and botany.

Furthermore, an agreement was signed with the fair organisers, where Tamil Nadu will receive a free stall every year in Bologna in exchange for a stall to the Bologna fair at the Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF). This partnership will enable the state to showcase its literary works and connect with publishers internationally.