Off The Shelf
Off the Shelf Hyderabad is the bookstore to be at right now! And I had the absolute joy of hosting a workshop there with my dear friend and illustrator, Ashlin Sara Paul. This was our first event together, and even though we have collaborated on more than three books, seeing our words and illustrations come alive in a beautiful bookstore was something else entirely.
I kicked off the workshop with an exciting mix of activities—a treasure hunt, poetry recitation, and eco writing exercises—setting the stage for some wildly creative storytelling. Then, Ashlin worked her magic, guiding the kids through a watercolor session where they illustrated scenes inspired by their eco writing. Watching their words transform into colourful images was absolutely enchanting!
Of course, what is a good workshop without a little chaos? At one point, we completely forgot where we had hidden one of the critters for the treasure hunt! It took us a while to track it down, which had everyone giggling.
Off the Shelf was the perfect setting, cozy, welcoming, and buzzing with energy. What made it even more special was how people could wander in and out of the store as we ran our session. Some even paused to watch, turning our workshop into an impromptu performance with a live audience. It was a day filled with creativity, laughter, and a little bit of adventure, just the way we like it!
