The graphic novel format might be unfamiliar to many visitors to the New Delhi World Book Fair,
but it didn’t stop them from grasping the value of Campfire’s beautifully-crafted publication.
The titles for children were being swiped off the shelves by young people and adults,
curious to see what this innovative Delhi publisher is all about.
Campfire has been in operation only since the end of 2008 and this is the first
New Delhi World Book Fair where the vibrant start-up has been in attendance.
Visitors to Hall 14 were greeted by a wall of colourful titles, with all 23 of Campfire’s graphic novels on proud display.
Fitting into four categories (Mythology, Biography, Originals and Classics), the majority of Campfire’s books are
currently graphic novel adaptations of Classics. Titles such as Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Treasure Island’
and HG Wells’s ‘The Time Machine’ attract the nostalgic older audience as well as curious younger readers.
Parents in particular are keen that the great stories of our time are not lost in an era when children are
under extreme pressure to perform well academically. Graphic novels allow children to exercise their imaginations,
enabling them to think visually and creatively. The education system is slowly starting to acknowledge that there
is more to problem solving than maths and chemistry. Throughout India, graphic novels such as Campfire’s are increasingly
being incorporated into lesson plans because they are a great way to engage children, helping them to learn and progress.
Sure enough, many of the visitors to Campfire’s stand were school librarians and teachers, interested to pick up some graphic
novels for use in their schools.
As a business platform, The New Delhi World Book Fair has provided Campfire with the opportunity to fulfil its potential as
a truly global publisher. The high quality, lovingly produced titles are attracting interest from multiple international
and domestic publishers and distributors to which Campfire was previously unknown.
For book lovers and industry experts, Campfire is a bright spark that is impossible to ignore.
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