In a moving celebration of wildlife, storytelling, and conservation, Pachyderm Tales, in collaboration with Voice Trust, hosted an impactful book launch event on the evening of July 5, 2025, unveiling a captivating new children’s book series that blends education, empathy, and the wonders of the natural world. The event brought together nature enthusiasts, conservationists, educators, children, and distinguished guests in a vibrant tribute to biodiversity and environmental awareness.
Founded and led by visionary educator and conservation advocate Dr. R. Lakshmi Priya, Pachyderm Tales is an organization that integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education with storytelling and visual arts to inspire young minds. The newly launched wildlife book series, featuring ten unique titles, is a reflection of this mission—introducing children to animals, their anatomy, and habitats in an engaging, creative, and accessible way.
Each book is built around extraordinary wildlife photographs taken across continents by Mr. V. Ananthakrishnan, a renowned wildlife photographer who, at age 74, continues to travel the world documenting animals in their natural environments. The stories are masterfully written by Dr. Abdul Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a veteran academician with 25 years of storytelling experience and a professor at Jamal Mohamed College, Trichy. Their work is supported by dedicated researchers Sri Hari Shankar and Sri Harini Shankar, who played a crucial role in shaping the content.
Why Wildlife Books Matter
In her address, Dr. R. Lakshmi Priya emphasized the importance of cultivating a connection between children and nature in today’s increasingly urbanized and digital world. “These books are designed to ignite curiosity and compassion, helping children understand the value of biodiversity and the role they can play in conservation,” she said.
The event highlighted how storytelling and visuals can transform complex scientific concepts into joyful learning experiences that resonate with children. Through vibrant imagery and compelling narratives, the series aims to plant the seeds of environmental responsibility early on.
Distinguished Guests Launch Animal Stories
The event featured several dignitaries who each launched a book from the series and spoke on themes of wildlife conservation:
Mr. Munish Palaniappan, an acclaimed photographer and mentor credited with designing the book covers, launched the series and emphasized the importance of engaging visuals and storytelling in environmental education.
Ms. Suchithra Balasubramanian, renowned singer and Harikatha exponent, introduced Rudra the Leopard.
Mr. Ravi Srinivasan, educator and wildlife expert with experience in Botswana, launched Nyati the Buffalo and stressed the need to preserve habitats.
Ms. Jaisri Raju Sriram, storyteller, presented HipHip the Hippo, advocating for harmony with aquatic life.
Mr. Karthic Rangarajan, wildlife enthusiast, launched Polka the Cheetah, highlighting resilience and speed in nature.
Mr. Sridhar Bharathy introduced Tej the Tiger, celebrating India's national animal.
Ms. Poornima Chandran Prabhu presented Cayla the Crocodile, underlining the importance of river ecosystems.
Mr. A. Gregory, Founder of Voice Trust, launched Meenu the Giraffe, emphasizing the grace and vulnerability of wildlife and the urgent need for ecosystem protection.
Voice Trust: Empowering Through Education
The partnership with Voice Trust, a Trichy-based non-profit working to uplift marginalized children through education, added significant meaning to the event. Children from the organization’s home in Siruganur attended and engaged enthusiastically, reflecting the event’s success in reaching those who might not otherwise be exposed to wildlife education.
Ms. Janet Preeti, administrator of Voice Trust, and Ms. Subhasree Ravi shared insights into their educational outreach programs and highlighted how such collaborations strengthen conservation awareness.
A poignant moment came when Mr. Gregory, with over four decades of experience in sustainable agriculture and wildlife protection, shared stories of his own conservation journey and stressed the importance of instilling these values in future generations.
Dr. Shintu Dennis, also in attendance, delivered a heartfelt message emphasizing that education and exposure to the natural world are vital to nurturing compassion and responsibility in children. “When children fall in love with wildlife, they become its future protectors,” she noted.
Gratitude and Closing Reflections
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Ms. Uma Aparna, COO of Pachyderm Tales, and Ms. Janet Preeti, expressing deep appreciation to all contributors, supporters, and collaborators who made the event a resounding success.
