In a heartfelt celebration of wildlife, education, and creative storytelling, Pachyderm Tales hosted a landmark book launch event on the evening of July 5, 2025, in Trichy, marking the release of a vibrant new series of ten children’s books dedicated to wildlife and environmental awareness. The event brought together conservationists, educators, children, and a host of distinguished guests in a shared mission to ignite young minds with curiosity and care for the natural world.

The new series, developed by Pachyderm Tales, is designed to introduce children to the wonders of wild animals, their anatomy, habitats, and behaviors through engaging storytelling, vivid photography, and the foundational principles of STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Each book features a unique animal, photographed in its natural environment across various continents, paired with an original story that sparks both imagination and ecological awareness.

At the helm of this visionary project is Dr. R. Lakshmi Priya, Founder and CEO of Pachyderm Tales. Her commitment to merging creativity with conservation is evident in every page of the series. “Children learn best when they are emotionally and visually engaged. Our aim was to bring together photography, narrative, and science in a format that’s accessible, joyful, and deeply impactful,” she said during her address, acknowledging the significant contributions of research collaborators Sri Hari Shankar and Sri Harini Shankar.

The books feature breathtaking photography by Mr. V. Ananthakrishnan, a renowned wildlife photographer whose decades-long dedication to capturing animals in the wild has brought global biodiversity to the fingertips of young readers. “Photography speaks across languages. A single image can spark empathy, fascination, and the desire to learn. That’s what we hope these books will do,” said Mr. Ananthakrishnan, now 74, whose globe-trotting efforts have helped visually anchor each animal’s story.

The stories themselves are penned by Dr. Abdul Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a seasoned academic and storyteller with 25 years of experience and a professorship at Jamal Mohamed College, Trichy. “These aren’t just stories about animals,” he explained. “They’re carefully crafted tales that teach respect, responsibility, and the value of coexistence.”

The importance of creating wildlife books for children was underscored throughout the event, particularly by Dr. Shintu Dennis, who shared powerful insights on the role of early education in conservation. “Children are inherently curious. If we feed that curiosity with meaningful content—books that help them understand and care about animals—we are cultivating future custodians of the Earth. Conservation isn’t just science; it’s a mindset that starts with a story,” she said.

Also lending their voices to the celebration were a variety of notable guests:

• Mr. Munish Palaniappan, photographer and series mentor, opened the book launch and highlighted the importance of color and design in attracting young readers.
• Ms. Suchithra Balasubramanian, singer and Harikatha exponent, launched Rudra the Leopard.
• Mr. Ravi Srinivasan, wildlife educator with experience in Botswana, presented Nyati the Buffalo.
• Ms. Jaisri Raju Sriram, storyteller, introduced HipHip the Hippo.
• Mr. Karthic Rangarajan, wildlife enthusiast, unveiled Polka the Cheetah.
• Mr. Sridhar Bharathy shared Tej the Tiger.
• Ms. Poornima Chandran Prabhu launched Cayla the Crocodile.
• Mr. A. Gregory, founder of Voice Trust, presented Meenu the Giraffe.
• Ms. Janet Preeti and Ms. Subhasree Ravi from Voice Trust emphasized the intersection of education, compassion, and conservation.

The event was co-hosted with Voice Trust, a long-standing non-profit organization based in Trichy dedicated to empowering marginalized children. Children from Voice Trust’s shelter home in Siruganur were in attendance, their bright expressions capturing the essence of the event’s purpose: making the wild world tangible and relatable for every child, regardless of background.

The evening concluded with heartfelt thanks from Ms. Uma Aparna, COO of Pachyderm Tales, and Ms. Janet Preeti, who both expressed deep appreciation for the partnership and collaboration that made this initiative a reality.