CHENNAI: The YMCA grounds at Nandanam saw scores of people, old and young, browsing hundreds of stalls at the annual book fair with enthusiasm on Saturday. With many conventional stalls keeping busy, a standout spot was stall number 377, and more importantly, it was the favourite for children.

Stall number 377 was Kakkai Koodu, a Chennai-based publishing initiative launched in 2018. At this particular stall, the merchandise moved beyond books, grabbing the attention of many children. It features small statues of hornbills, peacocks, crows, insects and beehives, turning the area into an impromptu lesson in nature rather than a typical book counter.

"We were just walking along when we suddenly stopped here. The structures caught our attention, and the children were immediately drawn to them. Stalls like these naturally attract kids," said R Renuka, who was visiting the fair with her two children.

According to J Chezheyan, founder of Kakkai Koodu, the stall was intentionally designed to spark questions among young visitors. "The theme is meant to attract children. They need to be aware of the birds around them. When they see these structures, they start asking their parents about them," he said, holding up a pocket guide that lists 138 commonly found birds in Tamil Nadu. Priced at Rs 40, the guide introduces children to birdwatching in a simple, accessible way.

"When children are exposed to birds through these displays and books, nature becomes familiar to them. Later, when they encounter books or discussions about the environment, it does not feel alien," he added.

Chezheyan noted that while books on cinema or popular culture often draw readers, environmental themes have a different urgency. "People may read many subjects, but environmental issues affect everyone directly. Climate change and ecological damage are real concerns, and education has to begin early," he said. The visual elements, he added, also signal clearly that the stall focuses on nature and the environment rather than light reading.

Alongside the bird guides, the stall offers books on forests, ecology and the Irular communities of Tamil Nadu. It also has detailed titles devoted to individual bird species. Together, the displays and publications aim to turn a casual stop at a book fair into a moment of discovery about nature.