The Enchanted Saarang, the very latest from Tulika Publishers, is being released at Kashmir ki Kahaniyan, a storytelling session at Bookaroo, the children's literature festival being held at Delhi Public School, Srinagar on 7 and 8 May.

1. Giving spirits. . . Cunning horse thieves. . .Greedy treasure-seekers. . . Magical bowls. . . Enchanted saarangs. . . Drawn from mythology, folklore and lived experiences, The Enchanted Saarang, a unique collection of stories from Tulika will be launched at the Bookaraoo Festival on the 7th and 8th May in Delhi Public School, Srinagar. A SNEAK PEEK FOR OUR READERS:

2. “He went lower down the slope, eyes, nose and ears alert. A terrifying noise! Something whirred past his nose. A huge, brilliantly coloured bird shot into the air, followed by others of a dull brown. It was a sonola, as colourful as a peacock but without the magnificent train.”From Drin

3. The small terrified neigh brought Gulaal thundering back. She reared up and was upon the killer, pounding with her forelegs. The leopard in fury released his hold to rake her chest with its claws, then turned again to the defenceless little colt. But Gulaal returned to the attack, battering the leopard’s ribs with her hooves. From Gulaal

4. “I wanted to give you a surprise,” said the little man. “Here’s a present for you in exchange for the lunch I ate. I think you will like it.” He laughed a secret laugh and held out a shining copper bowl. “Take it,” he said, “and run your fingers all around the rim.”Fazli took it, wondering why the old man was smiling so much. . .”From The Secret of Traamkhazaan

5. “Not a sound. No water, no dimly-lit cavern, but a luxurious chamber, the walls glinting with murals outlined with gems, thick silk carpets on the floor and silken cushions, with golden tassels, heaped against carved panelling.” From The Enchanted Saarang

6. About the AuthorAsha Hanleyspent a magical childhood beside Lake Nageen in Kashmir, filled with folklore, myths and snippets of history. After many years away, she returned to settle in Pahalgam with two small sons and tried to help the local people. However little they may have learnt from her, she says, she learnt plenty from them and this book is the result. In 1990 she was forced to flee her home within the hour. Asha now lives in London. About the Illustrator Proiti Roy is a brilliant illustrator whose work has delighted readers all over the world. Her nuanced sense of form and colour touch an emotional chord both within the world of the story and the world of the reader. Among her acclaimed books are Ismat’sEid, The Snow King’s Daughter, What Shall I Make?, Putul and the Dolphins, and Gulla and the Hangul. She lives in Chennai and when she is not painting, she is mothering rescued dogs.

7. To order books visit www.tulikabooks.comFor enquiries, write to tulikabooks@gmail.com, tulikabooks@vsnl.com