Author and journalist Sabrina Binte Ahmed Shuvra launched two pop-up books for children and teenagers, titled "Shahid Zia's Story" and "Beloved Khaleda Zia for Children" at a ceremony held Sunday at the National Press Club's Abdus Salam Hall in Dhaka.
Publishing house Dashamik organized the event. Information and Broadcasting State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury attended as chief guest while Dashamik proprietor Dipanta Rayhan presided over the ceremony.
Special guests included lawmakers S. M. Jilani, Selimuzzaman Selim, K. M. Babar and Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu along with BNP Cultural Affairs Secretary Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Ujjal. Rabindra University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tahmina Akhter Topi and writer Ehsan Mahmud spoke as discussants alongside several other writers and guests.
Speakers highlighted the value of presenting Bangladesh's history, the Liberation War, democracy and notable figures to young readers in simple, engaging formats, noting that pop-up books can boost children's interest in reading.
Minister Chowdhury stressed introducing Bangladesh's history to children and called for English translations to reach Bangladeshi children living abroad.
Shuvra said she wrote the books to present history and notable personalities to children in an enjoyable, accessible way using visual storytelling to complement traditional reading.
"Shahid Zia's Story" covers aspects of Ziaur Rahman's life while "Beloved Khaleda Zia for Children" presents selected details of Begum Khaleda Zia's life and political career in child-friendly language.
Pop-up books let characters and scenes rise in three-dimensional form as pages turn with making reading more interactive. Publishing professionals say such formats can help build reading habits and present history in an engaging way.
