Kolkata, January 22, 2026:
Children’s Book Trust (CBT), India’s pioneering non-profit publisher dedicated to children’s literature, is participating in the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing a strong reading culture among children and reducing excessive dependence on digital screens.
At Stall No. E-63, CBT is presenting a thoughtfully curated collection of over 1,000 affordable titles in English, Bengali, Hindi and Urdu. The collection spans picture books, storybooks, knowledge-based publications and value-oriented literature, catering to children across age groups and reading levels.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kishore Lal, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Children’s Book Trust, said,
“Our participation in the International Kolkata Book Fair is not merely about selling books; it is about reconnecting children with the joy of reading. The enthusiastic response from Eastern India reaffirms that parents and children continue to value books as a powerful medium for learning, imagination and character building.”
With a legacy spanning 69 years, the New Delhi–based Trust has played a defining role in shaping generations of young readers through high-quality, well-illustrated and culturally rooted Indian children’s literature. CBT’s presence at the Kolkata Book Fair is part of its larger ‘Look East Policy’, aimed at strengthening outreach and engagement across Eastern and North-Eastern India.
Highlighting the growing concern over screen addiction among children, Mr Lal added,
“Children today are spending far too much time on digital screens. We are responding to parents’ concerns by offering meaningful alternatives. Books foster curiosity, imagination and a healthy outlook towards life. As a non-profit trust, our mission is to ensure that good books remain affordable and accessible, especially for children from low-income families.”
CBT’s ‘Look East Policy’ is already yielding positive results, with increasing demand across cities and towns such as Asansol, Patna, Panagarh, Siliguri, Ranchi, Guwahati, Darjeeling and Shillong, where parents and children eagerly await opportunities to access CBT’s publications.
