The Ekushey Book Fair has always been a wonderland for book lovers of all ages, but for its youngest visitors, something was missing this year�no Sisimpur, no Shishu Prohor, and, for many, no fun.
�I brought my son early in the morning, hoping he�d see Halum and Ikri like every year,� said Sabirna Sultana from Mohammadpur, one of the many disappointed parents.
�But when we arrived, there was nothing! He kept asking, �Where are they? Where�s Tuktuki?� I had no answer.�
Traditionally, Sisimpur, the Bangladeshi version of Sesame Street, has been the highlight of Shishu Prohor�a special children�s hour at the fair. Fridays and Saturdays used to be filled with kids singing along with their favorite furry friends, engaging in fun learning sessions, and giggling at Halum�s antics. Last year, the inauguration of the Sisimpur Kids� Corner on February 2 made the fair an even bigger treat for young visitors.
But this year, things were different. Saturday, February 8, came and went, and the usual excitement was nowhere to be found. There were no Sisimpur performances, no cheerful mascots waving at delighted children�just confused little faces and parents trying to make do with books instead.
Md. Kamrul Mia, a bookseller at the ToonToon Books stall, shared his observation: �In previous years, you could hardly walk through this area because kids were running around, laughing, and shouting. Today, they come, look around, and leave. It�s just not the same.�
Even the youngest visitors had their say. Four-year-old Tahsin from Banasree, clutching his mother�s hand tightly, lamented, �Where is Halum? I wanted to roar like him!�
His twelve-year-old sister, Aisha, added, �Last year, I danced with Tuktuki. This year, it�s boring.�
For some families, the disappointment was real. Lilima Nasrin, a mother of two from Kochukhet, expressed her frustration:
�We always plan our book fair visit around Shishu Prohor because it makes books more exciting for kids. Without it, it�s just a regular market for them. They�re too young to get excited about browsing bookshelves for hours.�
Eight-year-old Rafi from Narayanganj arrived with high hopes of meeting Halum, but his face showed disappointment. �I wanted to show Halum my drawing. I made him look very strong,� he said, holding up his carefully colored picture.
Why Was Sisimpur Missing?
The question remains�why was Sisimpur absent this year? According to sources, USAID did not sponsor this year�s inclusion of Sisimpur. Fair organizers have yet to provide a clear explanation. Whether it was due to budget constraints, scheduling issues, or other reasons remains uncertain.
Regular attendees hope this is only a temporary setback.
�Sisimpur isn�t just entertainment�it�s an experience,� said Farid Ahmed, a father attending the fair. �It makes learning fun, and that�s what this fair should be about. I really hope they bring it back next year.�
Without Sisimpur, the children�s section of the fair felt noticeably quieter. The cheerful shrieks, the eager line-ups for puppet shows, and the photo sessions with life-sized Halum were all missing. Parents and vendors alike felt the change.
Despite the disappointment, book fair organizers encouraged families to focus on what�s still available. The children�s section remained filled with colorful books, interactive reading sessions, and exciting new releases.
�We know kids love Sisimpur, but this is a great opportunity for parents to introduce them to the magic of books beyond the characters,� said Nasrin Sultana, a visitor at Prothoma Prokashon. �There are so many wonderful Bangladeshi authors writing for children today�let�s explore them!�
For now, families will have to rely on their own creativity to make the fair exciting for their little ones. But one thing is clear�Sisimpur�s absence has been deeply felt.
Beyond Sisimpur: The Fair�s Other Attractions
While young visitors missed their furry friends, the fair remained lively in other ways. Couples, wrapped in the gentle warmth of early spring, wandered hand in hand through the fairgrounds.
Some paused by the poetry stalls, reading aloud lines of Jibanananda Das or Helal Hafiz, whispering soft words to each other between pages. Others sat on the concrete steps inside Unmukto Moncho, sharing a single cup of steaming coffee, lost in quiet conversations that made the book fair feel like a festival of love.
Near the entrance, an elderly man in a white panjabi stood with a bundle of handcrafted flutes, playing a nostalgic tune that carried the essence of Bengal�s rural soul.
And, of course, no book fair is complete without its food corners. The scent of hot beef kebabs and grilled chicken filled the air as hungry visitors crowded around the stalls, eagerly waiting for their turn. College students gathered in groups, debating which stall had the best kebabs, while an elderly couple sat on a nearby bench, enjoying simple jilapis, their hands sticky with syrup.
For eight-year-old Jihan from Shewrapara, the food corner was the only consolation for missing Sisimpur.
�No Halum-Tuktuki, no problem! I will eat extra fuchka today,� he giggled, his face lighting up as he reached for another piece.
For now, families must make their own fun at the fair. But one thing is certain�Sisimpur has left its mark, and its absence has been felt by all. As the fair continues, book lovers of all ages will still find joy in the pages of countless stories.
But for the youngest visitors, next year�s Sisimpur comeback can�t come soon enough.
