Introducing 'Poor Economics for Kids': Bridging Economic Concepts and Storytelling

Nobel laureate Esther Duflo launches a new book series titled 'Poor Economics for Kids'. The series, illustrated by Cheyenne Olivier and available in multiple languages, simplifies complex economic concepts for children through engaging stories. It aims to foster empathy towards poverty while addressing key social issues like education, health, and gender equality.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo has introduced a new book series titled 'Poor Economics for Kids', aimed at helping children understand complex economic concepts through engaging stories and colorful illustrations.

Originally written in French and illustrated by Cheyenne Olivier, the series has been released in English and five Indian languages—Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, Bengali, and Tamil. The books were launched at Alliance Francaise de Delhi and are published by Juggernaut in English, with the multilingual editions brought together by Pratham Books, a not-for-profit children's book publisher, to ensure wider accessibility across India.

Addressing the need for more representative children's books, Duflo noted that librarians and educators see the series as filling a crucial gap. The stories, featuring characters like Nilu and her friends, tackle important issues such as fundamental rights, education, children's health, and gender equality from a child's perspective, thus making complex economic ideas more relatable for young readers. The foreword of the series is penned by Abhijit Banerjee, Duflo's husband and co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Duflo and Banerjee are also known for their previous works, 'Good Economics For Hard Times' and 'Poor Economics'.

(With inputs from agencies.)