October 23: This year coinciding with the coronation and centenary celebrations, 400 new Dzongkha books have been published. They are available for sale at the national book fair in the capital.

Most of the books were written by dzongkha teachers and published by private publishing houses.

The publications include story books, poetry, lozeys, essays, letter writing and dzongkha grammar. The books are written for Pre Primary to class VIII levels with illustration for the children.

Dorji Wangchuk who worked for more than 20 years with the education ministry is one of the authors of the children’s books. He said most of his books are fit to be used as reading materials at the primary levels.

Sonam Tshering’s books contain essays and thematic writings. He said the books are all based on Bhutanese genre.

He said the books are mostly bought by schools for their libraries and by private individuals.

A dzongkha teacher from Tsirang who has come to buy books for his school said the new Dzongkha books are definitely going to help the students. He said it will supplement the students with reading materials.

Most of the books were written by the Dzongkha teachers during the winter break and initiated by the publishers.