Hello there!
Shashwat here, and I’m a writer, editor, and storyteller who has a passion for children’s literature and education. Coming from a family of well-known Nepali writer Krishna Prasad Parajuli, writing and storytelling have always been an integral part of my upbringing, and I’m proud to carry on this legacy in my own career.
Over the years, I have established a name for myself in the Nepali children’s literature scene by writing several collections of stories, picture books, and rhyming books for children that not only entertain but also educate. My stories are carefully crafted to be modern and relatable to younger audiences, using simple yet meaningful language and characters that engage and entertain children. Through my use of pictures and language style, I strive to convey important messages in a way that is both entertaining and educational.
My passion for promoting quality literature and shaping the Nepali children’s literature scene has led me to work as an editor for prestigious children’s magazines such as ‘Mela’ and Kantipur ‘Kopila’. I have also had the privilege of helping to establish Mela Books, a publishing house dedicated to children’s books, and I’m committed to promoting quality literature for children.
Apart from my work in writing and editing, I am also an experienced instructional designer with over 30 years of experience. My expertise lies in editing and processing Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs) and Supplementary Reading Materials (SRMs) for early readers. Through my work in this area, I have developed over 600 high-quality practice books, storybooks, decodable readers, big books, teacher resource materials, and more.
I’m deeply passionate about early grade education in Nepal and have a strong understanding of the early grade curriculum of Nepal. I have spent over a decade coordinating and facilitating various training workshops for teachers, both in-person and virtually. These workshops focus on teaching creative and effective approaches and provide on-site coaching and mentoring.
Currently, I work as a consultant for a few organizations and as a freelancer. I was previously a Materials and Production Manager at USAID-EGRP, Nepal, for about six years, where I supported the implementation of the Early Grade Reading Program. In this role, I delivered material-based teacher training, and coached teachers to incorporate research-based best practices in instructional design.
In addition to my work, I collaborate with local-level education units, Palikas, School teams, SMCs, and PTAs to create a print-rich environment in classrooms. I’m proud of my contributions to early grade education in Nepal.
My passion for education, literature, and storytelling has been the driving force behind my work in making a difference in the lives of children in Nepal. I’m proud of my contributions to the field of Nepali children’s literature and early grade education, and I’m excited about what the future holds.
