Nepalese author on tackling a taboo subject and telling stories of his country

When he is not writing stories, Yashu travels the length and breadth of Nepal, teaching writing and storytelling techniques and setting up libraries in rural areas. Photo: Yashu Shrestha

He looked like a carefree young man enjoying his first visit to Malaysia. He donned the traditional baju Melayu with tengkolok (headgear) and happily tried to copy the moves of the dancers on stage.

If you had seen Yashu Shrestha at the 38th International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) International Congress in Putrajaya last year, it wouldn’t have surprised you to learn that he had written more than 150 children’s books in his country with some titles translated into English and Danish.