THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Children in the state will soon have an encyclopaedia of their own. The State Institute of Encyclopaedic Publications (SIEP) is working on its first-ever encyclopedia made specifically for children, with an ambitious target of releasing it on November 14, Children’s Day.
This single-volume edition is aimed at sparking curiosity in young readers from Classes 6 to 12. The 120-page Malayalam work, designed in crown size, will explore seven diverse themes such as ‘sookshmajeevikal’ (microorganisms), ‘malinyanirmarjanam’ (waste management), ‘bahirakashayatra’ (space exploration), ‘samudra jaivavyvidhyam’ (marine biodiversity), ‘kaalathe athijeevicha chalachitrangal’ (films that survived time), ‘ubayajeevikal’ (amphibians), and robotics.
Each chapter will be curated by editors in consultation with experts from respective fields. “We wanted to bring back academic reading among children. That was our first thought,” SIEP Director Muse Mary told TNIE.
Rekha R Nair, one of the general coordinators, pointed out, “The topics were chosen based on what children already enjoy and what we believe they should begin to explore.”
For example, the section on waste management is being developed with support from a Suchitwa Mission official and will cover concepts like types of waste, green protocol and waste management models.
The film section, overseen by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, features 60 landmark movies from around the world such as ‘Battleship Potemkin’, ‘Bicycle Thieves’, ‘The Great Dictator’, and ‘Run Lola Run’. In the space chapter, students will find entries on the International Space Station, reusable launch vehicles, astrobiology, and more.
Experts from institutions like the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Kerala University’s zoology department are also helping ensure scientific accuracy and depth across subjects.
“From the fascinating amphibians of Kerala and their life stages to the world of robotics and the wonders of the ocean, it will include classification systems, endangered species, robot anatomy, mobile and swarm technologies and ocean phenomena like tsunamis, tides and coral reefs,” said Riyana Ansari, another general coordinator.
To keep young minds engaged, the encyclopaedia will be filled with illustrations, infographics and photographs. Puzzles and activity sections are also being considered. However, SIEP has chosen not to include QR codes linking videos or audio content.
“We don’t want anything that might distract from focused reading. Educative videos are available on our YouTube channel, but this will remain a print-first, reading-focused encyclopaedia,” Muse Mary said.
The encyclopaedia will be available in schools, public libraries and at festivals across the state. While the layout and design work are being done at SIEP, printing will be handled by C-Apt and government presses.
“We have a tight timeline. But there will be no compromise on quality. With this encyclopaedia, SIEP hopes to make knowledge accessible and exciting for the next generation of thinkers, readers and explorers,” Muse Mary added.
Trove of knowledge
The themes explored includes microorganisms, waste management and space exploration among others
Each chapter will be curated in consultation with experts from respective fields
The encyclopaedia will be filled with illustrations, infographics and photographs