A Wildlife Celebration in Words and Pictures: Photographer and Author Reflect on the Heartwarming Launch of Pachyderm Tales’ Children’s Book Series

In a beautiful convergence of art, education, and environmental awareness, Pachyderm Tales launched a captivating ten-book wildlife series for children on the evening of July 5, 2025, in Trichy. This extraordinary event, viewed through the lens of wildlife photographer Mr. V. Ananthakrishnan and storyteller-author Dr. Abdul Mohammed Ali Jinnah, was more than a book launch—it was a heartfelt celebration of the natural world and its vital place in the imagination and education of children.

From the photographer’s perspective, this series is a culmination of years of dedication and countless miles traveled. Mr. V. Ananthakrishnan, aged 74, has spent decades capturing wildlife in its most intimate and majestic moments. “Every photo in this series was taken in the wild, in the natural habitat of the animals. My aim has always been to let children see the world as it truly is—raw, beautiful, and worth protecting,” said Mr. Ananthakrishnan, whose images serve as the visual heartbeat of the books.

Each book highlights a different animal—from the elusive leopard and resilient cheetah to the graceful giraffe and powerful tiger. These photographs not only document wildlife but serve as a visual storytelling platform, bringing children face-to-face with animals they might never encounter in their everyday lives.

Complementing these images are the stories written by Dr. Abdul Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a distinguished academician with 25 years of experience and a professor at Jamal Mohamed College, Trichy. His words breathe life into the photographs, weaving science with storytelling. “Children need narratives they can relate to—stories that inform, entertain, and build empathy. These books are not just stories; they are tools to help young readers fall in love with wildlife,” said Dr. Jinnah.

The event, organized in collaboration with Voice Trust, a non-profit working with marginalized children, drew a crowd of conservationists, educators, and children. The stories were unveiled by various dignitaries, each of whom resonated deeply with the themes of the books:

• Mr. Munish Palaniappan, photographer and mentor, unveiled the series and designed its visually arresting covers.
• Ms. Suchithra Balasubramanian, singer and Harikatha exponent, launched Rudra the Leopard.
• Mr. Ravi Srinivasan, wildlife educator, presented Nyati the Buffalo.
• Ms. Jaisri Raju Sriram, storyteller, launched HipHip the Hippo.
• Mr. Karthic Rangarajan, wildlife enthusiast, introduced 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, released Meenu the Giraffe, emphasizing the importance of habitat conservation.

From the author and photographer’s point of view, the presence of children from Voice Trust’s Siruganur shelter home was the most rewarding part of the evening. “Seeing their eyes light up when they held the books, pointed at the animals, and asked questions—that’s the real success of this project,” reflected Mr. Ananthakrishnan.

Dr. Jinnah agreed: “These children may not have had the opportunity to visit a forest or see a giraffe in real life, but through these pages, they can journey into those worlds.”

Dr. R. Lakshmi Priya, Founder and CEO of Pachyderm Tales, shared her heartfelt thanks to the contributors and research team—Sri Hari Shankar and Sri Harini Shankar—for their meticulous background work. She reiterated the organization’s commitment to merging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education with creativity to foster a love for nature in children.

A special message was delivered by Dr. Shintu Dennis, who emphasized the power of early environmental education. “If children are introduced to the wonders of wildlife through engaging stories and real imagery, they are more likely to grow into adults who care, protect, and act.”

The event concluded with gratitude expressed by Ms. Uma Aparna, COO of Pachyderm Tales, and Ms. Janet Preeti, administrator of Voice Trust, who applauded the collaborative spirit that brought the project to life.