Books From My Shelves
By Atishi Kapur Tandon
“The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
— Dr. Seuss
This quote sums up my entire reading journey!
Hi everyone! I am Atishi, a Grade 6 student living in Dehradun. As a longtime reader of The Garhwal Post, I have loved reading the “Books From Shelves” section, where fellow book lovers introduce their favorite reads. Today, I am excited to share my own story of how I grew into a passionate reader by the age of eleven.
Infant & Toddler Days: Sensory Reads & Crawling for Stories
My earliest memory with a book isn’t actually mine—it is a story my mother loves to tell. Even as an infant, I was completely fascinated by books. She tells me that when I was learning to crawl, she would place a colorful Little Red Riding Hood pop-up book a few feet away from me. Enchanted by the bright illustrations, I would crawl (or stumble!) toward it. Books became a key part of how I learned to move! That was the moment my mother realized how much books thrilled me, and from then on, there was no looking back.
From pop-ups, I moved on to interactive “touch-and-feel” books that let me explore stories through touch. Soon came books with large, captivating illustrations:
Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae (illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees)
I thoroughly enjoyed all of them, and I still cherish some of those early treasures on my shelves today.
Early Childhood: Books Over Screens
Growing up, I didn’t have noisy electronic toys or screen time. Instead, there were always books. During meals, my mother never handed me a phone; she read stories to me—so many that there was often more paper on the dining table than food!
Whenever I threw a toddler tantrum, placing a vibrant picture book in front of me would calm me down instantly. Books became my constant companions through every long car ride and quiet waiting room.
Turning Six: Chapter Books & Letting Imagination Soar
By the time I turned six, I graduated to short chapter books. I dove into wonderful stories by authors who remain close to my heart:
Roald Dahl (Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG)
Ruskin Bond (The Blue Umbrella, Room on the Roof)
Sudha Murty (How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, The Gopi Diaries)
These books helped build my vocabulary and reading speed. While they still had illustrations, the pictures grew smaller and fewer. I began to realize that illustrations are just a springboard for creativity—not a necessity for a great story. As I embraced text-led storytelling, my imagination soared into unmapped worlds.
Today: Mythology, Spiritual Reads, and Beyond
Now at eleven, my love for reading has expanded into deeper genres. My interest in Indian mythology and spiritual literature grew from the bedtime stories my grandparents shared with me. Today, I enjoy reading mythology retellings (such as The Palace of Illusions, Ahilya’s Awakening, and The Forest of Enchantment), empowering non-fiction (Ikigai for Teens, The Secret: The Power for Teens), and moving fiction (A Man Called Ove, The Stationery Shop of Tehran).
Reading has given me focus, empathy, and an endless world of wonder. To anyone wondering why they should pick up a book today: a screen only shows you someone else’s imagination, but a book builds your own!
If you enjoyed reading my story or are looking for age-appropriate book recommendations, I would love to connect with you on Instagram at @atishisreadingchronicles. Happy reading!
