T Mhabemo Yanthan, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor of Nagaland seen here with 7-year-old Sofia Livimi Swu during the launch of her book on March 10. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 10
7-year-old Sofia Livimi Swu on Wednesday became the youngest author from Nagaland to have written a book with the release of her first adventure series titled “My Adventure in Fairyland”. The book was formally released by T. Mhabemo Yanthan, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor of Nagaland at The Heritage, Kohima.
At the age of five, Sofia started reading independently on her own after she began to attend phonics classes at Bumblebee Inclusive School at Upper Agri, Kohima where she has been enrolled since pre-nursery. Having discovered that she has a keen interest in flipping picture books, her parents— James Swu and Shekali Swu, who also share a common love for books would often buy her books, providing her with a variety of reading materials and picture books and also try to set aside reading time for her.
Once she was able to read on her own, her mother said, “it became something interesting and enjoyable for her.” Sofia started writing at the age of 6, wherein she rewrote ‘The Little Red Riding Hood’ in her own words and also illustrated it. The newly released book- ‘My Adventure in Fairyland’ initially started as a school assignment during the lockdown period, which garnered the attention of her teachers and eventually, she expanded it.
The child prodigy has 6 more books in the pipeline which has all been completed while she is still 7 years old.
Releasing the book, T. Mhabemo Yanthan, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor of Nagaland said, there are two takeaways for him personally while pointing to the role of teachers and the art of grooming and teaching a child according to their understanding and capacity while mentoring and tutoring them.
He said Sofia’s parents have chosen the right institution to groom, mentor, and polish the child wherein the teachers have also understood the calibre of the child. The other takeaway, he said is “the art of correct parenting.” “As parents, we don’t have to sit for hours and hours teaching what we must do and what we must not do, but it depends so much on how parents are behaving at home as well as outside”, he noted.
Yanthan commended the parents for the important role they have played in moulding their daughter and also congratulated Sofia on her book.
Kopele Tepa, Proprietor & Headmistress, Bumblebee Inclusive School, Kohima remarked that Sofia is very outspoken while adding that having her as a student has been both challenging and rewarding. “She is so inquisitive and pushes us to our limits to really get down and get our work done really well. She prompts us to really teach her and makes sure that we deliver our best”, she said.
She expressed pride to have her as a student while describing her as a child who is intelligent and creative. Wishing her the best, she also congratulated her parents and commended them on being so available and present in their children’s lives.
Highlights of the event included Bible Reading & Prayer by Rev. Kedo Peseyie, Pastor, City Church Kohima, Publisher’s Note, Song of celebration by AETERNA, a newly formed choir, Words of Gratitude by Vivito Yeptho, Co-Director, Nagaland Coffee and Benediction by Pastor Piokali Sema, Associate Pastor, Christian Education. The programme was chaired by Nivi Yeptho, Assistant Professor, Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts.
Mention may be made here that “My Adventure in Fairyland” is the 37th publication of PenThrill Publication House. The book is currently available at Crossword, The Common Room, Bible House, and Ilandlo.com.
