Abstract:
“Kacha Kacha Simona” was a pioneering chapter book series of Sinhala literature,
categorized under chapter books the children story genre, authored and published from the year 2017
by the Sri Lankan writer I.M. Uthpala Madhuwanthi alias ‘Sandha Uthpalawee’. At present, “Kacha
Kacha Simona” book series which is also considered a significant milestone of the author’s writing
career has evolved into a trilogy targeting not only readers aged 7 to 11, but also beyond. The book
series “Kacha Kacha Simona”, accompanied with delightful illustrations, captures the essence of the
author’s childhood experiences. The series revolves around the protagonist, a talkative, playful, yet
innocent girl with a strong determination for her studies. The books showcase Simona’s family, pets,
hobbies, and her profound appreciation for the little joys of life. Also the storyline revolves around
Simona’s journey as she prepares for and faces the grade five scholarship examination, a significant
challenge that alters the course of her life. The first book in the series, “Kacha Kacha Simona” was an
island-wide success, not only among children but also with adults. The author’s personal handling of
story development, illustrations, book layout, cover design, publishing, distribution, sales and
marketing showcased her multifaceted talent. The positive reception received from the audience
including fan mail and drawings from readers inspired the author to create the second installment of
the series, “Kacha Kacha Simona - Vibhaga Boothaya '' in 2020. In the year 2021, the third book “ Kacha
Kacha Simona – Duwana Iskole” was also published and they all received an overwhelming amount of
love and attention from young readers.The author introduced a unique page layout and a presentation
style, setting a new trend in Sri Lankan children’s story books. The trilogy was also recognized for its
educational value by the Ministry of Education as all three installments were certified as suitable for
Sri Lankan school libraries. The series’s success can be attributed to four key elements consistently
praised by its young audience based on their feedback. First, the narration style is engaging and
captivating, keeping children enthralled throughout the reading experience. Second, humor is artfully
woven into the narrative, providing moments of laughter and joy. Third, the author’s simple writing style
resonates well with young readers, making the books accessible and relatable to their real life
experiences. Fourth, the delightful illustrations complement the story, enhancing the overall appeal of the series. Taking “Kacha Kacha Simona’s user feedback into consideration, this study reveals the
desired expectations of young readers of Sri Lankan chapter book series.
