Q&A with Deepa Agarwal, Crossword Book Awards 2025 Jury: On climate, history, and the stories shaping young readers

Deepa Agarwal, jury member for the Crossword Book Awards 2025, reflects on a year of children’s books that tackled urgent themes, from climate change and gender stereotypes to forgotten histories and paths to tolerance.

Deepa Agarwal writes for both children and adults and has over 60 books published. A frequent contributor to magazines and journals in India and abroad, she has edited and compiled several anthologies. Among various other awards, she has received the N.C.E.R.T. National Award for Children’s Literature for ‘Ashok’s New Friends’, while her historical fiction ‘Caravan to Tibet’ was on the prestigious IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Honour List 2008.

The jury reads a huge number of submissions in a limited time, what was your approach to reading so widely and still giving each book its due?

It was indeed a challenge to read such a large number of books in the limited time we had. I decided to begin with the thicker books first, in order to concentrate deeply in case I was short of time later. I made notes on each book and marked them out of 10 to help me to make my final assessment.

If literature reflects its time, what did this year’s Children's Books submissions tell you about the world we’re living in? 

Children's literature aims to communicate values so it was interesting to note that many contemporary issues have been addressed in the submissions. There were several books on the theme of climate change and preservation of the environment across genres. Some dealt with social Inequality and gender stereotyping - it was heartwarming to find excellent books focusing on the achievements of lesser known women pathbreakers, also others dealing with historical facts not often covered in children's books. Then, reflecting the needs of the times, books on spiritualism and religion which could spread awareness and tolerance. It was heartening to note that children’s writers are making a conscious effort to address current issues.

What was the toughest part of arriving at a longlist from such a wide range of submissions? 

It was hard to compile a longlist that did justice to the large number of high quality books received. There were a couple about which all three of us were in agreement, but we had to have a long discussion on the merits of the rest since we wanted to make sure that the most deserving featured on the longlist. I must also mention that making a fair comparison between a young adult book and a picture book is quite complicated.

If you had to describe this year’s longlist in three words, what would they be?

Mind-boggling variety 

What conversations do you think this year’s longlist adds to Indian literature, or even to our society at large?

It definitely makes us think more deeply about the issues covered and motivates writers to continue to  address them in depth and in more engaging ways. The narrative structure and writing style of some of the books was very fresh and appealing - something crucial for keeping readers engaged. The illustrations and production quality of some was outstanding, very important to attract children.    

In a time of endless content, what do you think makes literature still worth turning to?

Literature deals with universal truths, it explores emotions in depth and helps us to learn problem solving, to discover new ways of thinking, explore different cultures and promotes understanding between people. I feel it connects the whole world in a manner that other kinds of content might not be able to. Reading a book is a far more immersive experience because it’s just you and the book. Also you have to imagine the scenario sketched in words and interpret the writer's intent according to your own understanding. It’s not like ready made content that is just spoon fed to you. A book will be read and interpreted differently by different readers and in that sense, it belongs to the reader in a way ready made content cannot.

What, to you, makes a book unforgettable? 

A book that explores life's truths with empathy and unique insights will remain unforgettable 

As a jury member, what advice would you give to aspiring Indian writers hoping to be recognized in the coming years?

First of all, your intention should be quite clear. Are you writing to achieve fame or make money? I personally feel that's not the right approach to creating a memorable work. Write the book that emerges from within you organically. Avoid choosing a theme or genre just because it’s a popular trend. Write about what touches you deeply and strongly. When you write a book with that kind of passion, it will definitely make an impact.