The Ekushey Book Fair has always been a wonderland for book lovers of all ages, but for the tiniest visitors, there was something 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 frustrated parents. She added, "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 (the exclusive children's hour at the fair). Fridays and Saturdays used to be buzzing with kids singing along with their favourite furry friends, engaging in fun learning sessions, and giggling at Halum's antics. Last year, the inauguration of the Sisimpur Kids' Corner on 2 February made the fair an even bigger treat for young visitors.
But this year, things were different. Saturday, 8 February, came and went, and the usual excitement was nowhere to be found. There were no Sisimpur performances, no cheerful mascots waving at delighted children. There were just confused little faces and parents trying to make do with books instead.
Md. Kamrul Mia, a bookseller at the stall of ToonToon Books, said, "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 elder sister, twelve-year-old 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, shared her thoughts: "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, visiting from Narayanganj, came with the expectation to meet 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 coloured picture.
The question remains-why was Sisimpur absent this year? It has been informed that USAID did not sponsor this year's inclusion of Sisimpur. Fair organisers have not given a clear answer. Whether it was due to budget constraints, scheduling issues, or something else remains unknown. Regular attendees hope this is only a temporary setback.
Farid Ahmed, a father, said, "Sisimpur isn't just entertainment. It's an experience. 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 quieter than usual. The cheerful shrieks, the eager line-ups for puppet shows, the photo sessions with life-sized Halum-all were absent. Parents and vendors alike noticed the change.
Despite the disappointment, book fair organisers encourage families to focus on what's still available. The children's section remains filled with colourful books, interactive reading sessions, and exciting new releases.
