Bangalore, Nov 12: The Vyasa Project, an Indian nonprofit audio library of stories narrated by children, for children, has announced Readers’ Quest 2026, a nationwide, seven-day online storytelling challenge for children in Grades 1 to 7. Taking place from November 14 to 20, 2026, during National Library Week, the initiative invites children to discover the joy of reading, record stories in their own voices and contribute to a growing audio library for other children to enjoy.
At its heart, Readers’ Quest 2026 is built around a simple idea: when children become storytellers, they don’t just build self-confidence, they inspire other children, too. Each narration becomes part of a shared library, allowing children around the world to discover stories through the voices of fellow young readers.
A 7-day invitation to read, narrate and contribute
Readers’ Quest 2026 is open to children across India in grades 1 to 7. Participation is free and entirely online. To qualify for the award categories, children must contribute at least seven narrations over the seven days, from November 14 to 20.
Children registered on the Vyasa Project platform can access the contest from their dashboard. They can choose from a curated catalogue of timeless classics, folktales, fables and poems in the platform’s five languages: English, Hindi, Telugu, Bangla and Kannada. The challenge makes story narration an engaging and achievable daily activity. Children can choose stories that interest them, practise at their own pace and contribute recordings to an audio library that grows with every narration.
Reading aloud: a simple practice with lasting benefits
Reading aloud can be an important bridge between learning to read and developing a lifelong relationship with books. It brings together reading, listening, language and self-expression in an enjoyable and meaningful way.
Readers’ Quest encourages children to:
- Cultivate a reading habit: Encourage consistency and foster curiosity & imagination
- Develop expression: Strengthen pronunciation, diction and voice modulation.
- Grow in confidence: Find their voice and take pride in their contributions to a public resource.
- Expand vocabulary and build fluency: Discover new words in context, improve pace and explore new ideas and perspectives.
- Inspire other children: Inspire listeners to pick up a reading habit and become narrators themselves.
Every narration adds to the growing audio library. Together, these audios can help create a virtuous cycle: children who enjoy reading become storytellers, their narrations encourage others to explore stories, and develop a lifelong love for reading.
Recognising young storytellers
Readers’ Quest 2026 will recognise up to 20 winners across two age-group categories:
Juniors: Grades 1 to 4 | Seniors: Grades 5 to 7
- Story Champion: Awarded for the highest number of contributions.
- Golden Narrator: Awarded for the best contribution.
Five winners will be selected in each award category across the two age groups, for a total of 20 winners.
Entries will be reviewed by a panel of respected professionals and authors who share a strong connection to the Vyasa Project’s foundational work. Winners will receive prizes and certificates, as well as an opportunity to attend a special Voice & Storytelling Workshop conducted by RJ Jayashree Raj, RJ at Rainbow FM, co-founder of ImprovCommune Hyderabad and an improv facilitator. The workshop will help young narrators explore storytelling and voice modulation, building on the skills they practise during the challenge.
Further, every child who completes seven contributions during the week will receive a participation certificate.
Founders’ perspective
Speaking about the initiative, Priyanka Tadipatri, Co-founder of the Vyasa Project, said:
“I grew up listening to my grandmother’s stories and my impatient curiosity to know what comes next, drew me to reading. I believe listening can be a wonderful gateway to reading. When a child hears a story, especially in another child’s voice, it can spark a genuine interest to take a shot, themselves. That spark is what we hope to create with the Vyasa Project: and this Readers’ Quest is a fun, game-like way to do that.”
Karan S Kumar, Co-founder of the Vyasa Project, added:
“Think of a book you read years ago. Chances are, you still remember how it made you feel. Stories stay with us; they quietly shape how we see other people and the world around us. In an age when children are surrounded by so much noise, reading gives them room to pause, wonder and ask questions. That is what Readers’ Quest hopes to create: a little space to slow down, an opportunity to think, and the joy of learning about the world, one story at a time.”
Parents and schools invited to participate
The Vyasa Project invites parents, schools and educators across India to encourage children to take part in Readers’ Quest 2026.
Parents can help children get started by registering them on the platform, exploring the story catalogue together and supporting them as they record their narrations. Schools can introduce the challenge to students, share the poster with families and encourage reading aloud during National Library Week.
