KathaवटMeet Priya: from company law to children's books
Priya Mohire is the founder of Kathaवट, Banyan of Stories, an independent children's library in Dhanori, Pune.
An unexpected path
Priya began her career as a Company Secretary in the corporate sector, working in legal compliance. Her journey into education began with motherhood, which sparked a deeper interest in how children learn and led her to explore approaches to education.
She subsequently worked with Apni Shala Foundation, facilitating experiential learning programmes that used art, drama, games and community engagement to support children's social and emotional development.
Her interest in books and literature, along with her experience at Apni Shala, drew her towards children's books and their role in learning and development. She went on to complete the Library Educator's Course (2022–23), offered by Bookworm Library, Goa, in collaboration with TISS.
Why Kathaवट
Kathaवट brings these threads together: children's learning, good books, and the role a library can play in everyday family life. Priya believes that access to good books, and the freedom to explore them without pressure, can help children build a meaningful relationship with reading.
For her, running a library is not simply about lending books. It is about making space for curiosity, choice, conversation and discovery.
What she is working towards
- Redefining libraries: from silent, rigid, closed-access repositories of books to vibrant, child-centric, community-driven safe spaces that foster a lifelong engagement with books as a way of connecting with and navigating the world.
- Redefining reading: not just as a hobby, but as a way of understanding oneself and the world around.
- Building a living library: nurturing the library as a growing community space around books and reading.
Let's connect
Priya is always happy to have conversations and collaborations around children's libraries, reading engagement, and creating meaningful, book-centred learning spaces. Write to kathaavat@gmail.com or message on WhatsApp.
What parents say
Families often mention Priya's book recommendations. As one parent put it in a Google review: "Priya gives amazing recommendations for books that your child will like and she always hits the mark."
Want a recommendation for your child? Message Priya on WhatsApp.