ThinkBox, a unique library for children, holds a collection of more than 5,000 books and interactive toys for its young members. The library is the brainchild of software engineer Bhakti Shah, and works towards drawing children to books through aids and board games, among other methods.
“We have special books that make reading interesting and easy to comprehend like the puff-up books,” says Bhakti. The library organises art and craft workshops, story-telling sessions, robotic camps where children get to see how robot models are made using car motors, and conducts hands-on science and maths workshops among other activities. Children are taught chocolate art, how to save and utilise solar light, and make paper cameras. They also conduct workshops with child psychologists for parents.
The idea of starting this library occurred to her when she couldn't find a good library which had interactive aids and books spanning genres for her child. “I had been to such a library abroad, and wanted to start something similar here,” she says.
Do and learn
One can find a range of musical books, touch-and-feel books, glitter books, puzzles and toys catering to young children as well as teenagers.
The four-year-old library, which initially started with a small collection of 500 books, now has more than 5,000 books and toys. Members can borrow books as well as the toys.
In the absence of parks in the neighbourhood, the library serves as an edutainment zone for children living in and around Malleshpalya.
