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Category: Recommendations

July rains bring more reads to curl up with!

Posted on by kgoba

With the rain pelting against the windowpane, many outdoor plans will be washed away. What do we do then? For those with little ones in the house, this is the perfect opportunity to invest in reading time. 

Scroll down to find something for those lazy, rainy days! 

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Learn with Pictures: Colours

Learn With Pictures: Colours

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will explore the world of colours and learn to identify things around.

With a convenient format, various activities, and vivid illustrations–the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

Learn with Pictures: Opposites

Learn With Pictures: Opposites

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will learn opposites along with adjectives and prepositions.

With convenient format, various activities, and vivid illustrations-the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

Learn with Pictures: Jobs

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will learn about different professions and the subjects associated with them.

With convenient format, various activities, and vivid illustrations-the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

Learn with Pictures: Things that go

Learn with pictures: Things that go

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will learn about 25 types of transport, shapes and colours along with adjectives and prepositions.

With convenient format, various activities, and vivid illustrations-the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

Learn with Pictures: ABC

Learn with Pictures: ABC

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will learn the English alphabet along with adjectives and prepositions.

With convenient format, various activities, and vivid illustrations-the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

Learn with pictures: First Words

Learn with Pictures: First Words

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will build their vocabulary by learning words in varied themed sections of the book.

With a convenient format, various activities, and vivid illustrations–the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

Learn with Pictures: Body

Learn with Pictures: Body

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will learn about human and animal anatomy along with their different features and functions.

With a convenient format, various activities, and vivid illustrations–the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

Learn with Pictures: Numbers

Learn with Pictures: Numbers

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will learn numbers. counting, matching, identifying colours and lots more.

With convenient format, various activities, and the vivid illustrations-the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

Learn with Pictures: Animals 

Learn with Pictures: Animals

This bright activity book filled with pictures is perfect to discover key concepts, new words and facts!

Your child will learn the names of 35 animals along with adjectives and prepositions.

With convenient format, various activities, vivid illustrations-the book will equip kids with reading, language, visual, motor and imagination skills.

For ages: 3+

The Boy Who Loved Birds by Lavanya Karthik

The Boy Who Loved Birds: Salim Ali||Lavanya Karthik

Before Salim Ali was a world-famous ornithologist, he was a boy curious about the mysteries around him. Especially the mysteries of birds.

For ages: 7+

The Girl Who Climbed Mountains by Lavanya Karthik

The Girl Who Climbed Mountains: Bachendri Pal||Lavanya Karthik

Before Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to climb Mt Everest, she was a little girl with dreams as big as the sky.

For ages: 7+

How the Mango Got its Magic by Sudha Murty

How the Mango got its Magic||Sudha Murty

We all love the sweetness of mango and how it quenches our thirst on a hot summer day, but have you ever wondered how the mango got its magical sweetness?

The tale of how such sweetness came into existence is a fascinating one indeed. India’s favourite storyteller brings alive this delightful tale with her inimitable wit and simplicity. Bursting with captivating illustrations, this gorgeous chapter book is the ideal introduction for beginners to the world of Sudha Murty.

For ages: 5+

Tara And The Friendship Theorem by Chitra Soundar

Tara and the Friendship Theorem||Chitra Soundar

Tara and her best friend, Farida, are experts at the traditional Indian game of Pallanguzhi. But when Tara’s family relocates to the UK, Tara has to say goodbye to her best friend. Who shall she beat at Pallanguzhi now?

As Appa and Amma get the new home ready, Tara and her brother check in to a weekend retreat, Camp Wilderness. Wow. Do Tara’s parents even know who she is? She’s more what you’d call an indoorsy person, with her love of coding and maths.

To distract herself from all the trees and animals and general wildlife – shudder – she sets out to find a new friend. No one can ever replace Farida, but Tara’s determined to find someone almost as awesome. This is the perfect opportunity to test her Friendship Theorem!

Maths has never let Tara down before – surely it can help now? But as Tara applies her theorem at Camp Wilderness, could she miss a friendship that is blossoming right under her nose?

For ages: 9-12

Amma, Take Me to the Taj Mahal by Bhakti Mathur

Amma, Take Me to the Taj Mahal||Bhakti Mathur

Travel with Amma and her boys to one of the seven wonders of the world, a symbol of an emperor’s love for his queen and the pinnacle of Mughal architecture in India, the Taj Mahal.

Walk with Amma, Shiv and Veer through the sprawling gardens that replicate paradise on earth. Gaze at the mausoleum and admire its astounding architecture, breath taking scope and perfect symmetry. Marvel at the intricately decorated white marble walls engraved with precious stones. Travel back in time 500 years as Amma narrates the story of how the Mughal Empire was founded and the historical, cultural and personal stories that lie at the genesis of this magical monument.

Told with interesting stories, anecdotes and vibrant illustrations, this series is an introduction to Indian monuments of historical importance.

For ages: 9+

June’s moon is all about summer releases!

Posted on by kgoba

There’s nothing like sipping a freshly made lemonade, sitting cross-legged on the floor during your summer holidays and exploring stories through freshly printed books. Add our June releases to the mix and you have a power-packed day – full of action, humour, colours and more! There’s something in this list for every kind of young reader out there. Just browse and take your pick!

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Gupshup Goes to Prison by Arefa Tehsin 

Gupshup Goes To Prison||Arefa Tehsin

Khalid’s cat Gupshup has run away to a prison. An open prison, it is called, but everyone knows that prisons are full of horrible, evil people. Or are they? And how on earth will Khalid get Gupshup home?

For readers 7+

 

The Great Escape by Menaka Raman

The Great Escape||Menaka Raman

Sachit is not a fan of Wunderkind Academy. And it is a beautiful day outside. Aided by new friends Hari and Kris, can he escape to freedom?

For readers 7+

 

The Egghead Detective Agency by Pika Nani & Jemma Jose

The Egghead Detective Agency||Pika Nani

Has your pool turned pink recently? Are kidnappers after your pet chicken? Is an old forest in danger?

Sisters and little investigators, Tam and Ant cannot believe their eyes when they meet ‘Egghead’ right in their living room! The soon discover that he is, in fact, the ghost of a famous detective who was quite sought-after in his time. The girls now enlist his services for their detective agency-after all, the friendly ghost does come with great abilities.

Together they must solve the strange incidents that keep happening at their beloved Emerald Gardens-the quiet little residential complex.

What’s more, YOU can help the detectives crack the cases with Solve It Yourself clues (SIY), picture puzzles, secret codes and more in this 5-in-1 chapter book!

For readers 7+

 

Akbar-Birbal & The Haunted Gurukul by Apeksha Rao & Doodlenerve

Akbar-Birbal and The Haunted Gurukul||Apeksha Rao

Just into his tenth year, life’s all good for the future Mughal king, Akbar. But when his bestie, Nassie, the royal elephant goes on a rampage, a dangerous plot to harm the prince is uncovered. With things taking a sinister turn, Akbar is packed away (very far indeed) to the Vishwamitra Gurukul to live undercover.

Life in a gurukul hostel is nothing like his life in the palace! For starters, there’s no halwa for dessert after dinner! And then there’s that ghost who keeps knocking on doors, calling to be let into the room. But when the spirit attacks a student, the young prince must act. Thankfully, he’s just met one of the greatest minds of the future and also his new best friend – Birbal.

For readers 7+

 

Little Jagadish and The Great Experiment by Anjali Joshi & Debasmita Dasgupta

When young Jagadish realizes that the world is full of unanswered questions, he sets out to explore and discover the world around him using the scientific method. Inspired by the life and work of Indian physicist, botanist, and author Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, this story encourages young readers to embrace their curiosity and unleash their inner scientist.

For readers 7+

 

Visual Dictionary: My Body 

Visual Dictionary: My Body

This colourful board book introduces your child to the human body: how muscles and bones work, what the brain and heart are responsible for, why different internal organs are needed and lots more.

Filled with short stories for little ones, interesting facts and large vibrant pictures, this book is a fun learning experience!

So get ready to seek and find, identify body parts and learn about them.

For readers 3+

 

Visual Dictionary: Animals

 

Visual Dictionary: Animals

This colourful board book introduces your child to the world of animals: herbivores and predators, birds and fishes, bugs and spiders, reptiles and lots more.

Filled with short stories for little ones, interesting facts and large vibrant pictures, this book is a fun learning experience!

So get ready to seek and find, identify animals and learn about them.

For readers 3+

 

Visual Dictionary: Vehicles

Visual Dictionary: Vehicles

This colourful board book introduces your child to different vehicles: rail, air and sea transport, as well as, special military and space equipment.

Filled with short stories for little ones, interesting facts and large vibrant pictures, this book is a fun learning experience!

So get ready to seek and find, identify vehicles and learn about them.

For readers 3+

 

The Big Book of ABCs

The Big Book of ABCs

Experience the alphabet like never before!

From apples, balloons and cats, to penguins, tulips and zoos, there are delightful, new words with every page turn!

Designed to make learning fun, The Big Book of ABCs introduces new words in vibrant settings that make each word even more memorable.

For readers 0-3 years

 

The Big Book of First Words

The Big Book of First Words

Get ready for a learning adventure!

In every home, at the park, at the beach, and even at the zoo, new words await.

Designed to make learning fun, The Big Book of First Words introduces new words in vibrant settings that make each word even more memorable.

For readers 0-3 years

 

The Big Book of Colours

The Big Book of Colours

The best adventures are colourful!

Are you ready to enter the big, beautiful world of colours? Explore places, things, animals, birds and more that bring colours to life.

Designed to make learning fun, The Big Book of Colours helps you decode the secrets of the colour wheel.

For readers 0-3 years

 

The Big Book of Counting to 100

The Big Book of Counting to 100

A counting adventure from 1 to 100!

Are you ready to explore the world through numbers? Down the lane, through the park and across the ocean, there’s so much to see and count!

Designed to make learning fun, The Big Book of Counting to 100 makes counting a truly exciting activity.

For readers 0-3 years

 

Which book is going to be your next summer read? 

Beat The Heat With Our May Releases!

Posted on by kgoba

For bookish parents, these long summer vacations are a blessing. Sure, there’s holiday homework and the sweltering heat, but summer break is the best time to inculcate good reading habits in your kids.

Start summer right for your little one with the help of these May releases!

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Listen to Your Heart: The London Adventure by Ruskin Bond

Listen to Your Heart: The London Adventure||Ruskin Bond

Ages: 9+ years

Shortly before his eighteenth birthday, Ruskin embarks on a literary journey and reaches England after charting unknown waters. Greeted by the uncertainties of a new city, he muses over his loneliness, switches jobs, falls in love, befriends the ocean and relentlessly chases a big dream!
Capturing memorable experiences from young Ruskin’s life, Listen to Your Heart is an inspiration for aspiring young writers, a meditation on embracing fears, seizing every opportunity but most importantly living one’s dreams.

 

The Solar System for Smartypants by Anushka Ravishankar

The Solar System for Smartypants||Anushka Ravishankar

Ages: 6+ years

Do you ask questions like,
‘Is the Sun really a star?’
‘Which is the hottest planet?’
‘Are Saturn’s rings made of diamonds?’
Then this book, with its gorgeous illustrations and a very curious cat, is for you!

 

Gravity for Smartypants by Anushka Ravishankar

Gravity for Smartypants||Anushka Ravishankar

Ages: 6+ years

‘Why do things fall down not up?’
‘Will the moon fall on us?’
‘Why do things stay on the ground?’
If you’re a Smartypants who asks these kinds of questions, then get to know more with this book!

 

Photosynthesis for Smartypants by Anushka Ravishankar

Photosynthesis for Smartypants||Anushka Ravishankar

Ages: 6+ years

This one is for the kids who can’t stop exploring the natural world!
If your little one asks questions like:
‘Why are plants green?’
‘How do plants make their own food?’
‘Do plants have a kitchen?’
Then allow this book to answer them and more!

What was it like to be a child during India’s freedom struggle?

Posted on by prhi-dev

From our school history textbooks to historical fiction and non-fiction, we have been exposed to the history of our country’s past quite often. But whether we were reading factual accounts of the people who fought for our country’s independence, or it was authors reimagining what it might have been to be alive in that reality, the one thing common amongst all these books was adult protagonists.

Nobody really thought what it would be like to be a child during the time when our country was on the brink of its freedom!  

Until Lubaina Bandukwala and Aditi Krishnakumar came up with similar ideas and wrote two beautiful books talking about exactly that!  

 

The Chowpatty Cooking Club by Lubaina Bandukwala
The Chowpatty Cooking Club || Lubaina Bandukwala

 

The Chowpatty Cooking Club 

Lubaina Bandukwala

 

With Mahatma Gandhi’s call to the British to Quit India, the city has become a hotbed of revolutionary activity-student protests, secret magazines and even an underground People’s Radio which broadcasts news that the British want concealed.Sakina and her friends Zenobia and Mehul desperately want to be part of this struggle for freedom. But there is little that they are permitted to do. But at least, they are trying to do something useful, while their mothers are only running a cooking club …

 

 

 

 

That Year at Manikoil 

Aditi Krishnakumar

 

While World War II rages in Europe and the Japanese army draws closer to India, Raji and her sisters are sent off with their mother to stay in Manikoil, her mother’s family village. But with her brother now a soldier in the British Indian Army and refugees fleeing from Malaya, Burma and other eastern countries back to India, Manikoil is no longer the peaceful haven it once was.  And while there is hope of Independence in the air, Raji is uncertain whether it will come to pass-and what it will truly mean for her and her family.

 

Pick up one of these books today and let your child step back into British India!

Eggs-tra special April book recommendations

Posted on by kavyawahi

April is here! This means that very much like the vibrant colours of the Easter eggs you’re hunting for this season, our rich array of books are ready to bring immense joy into your little ones’ world. This eggs-tra special month calls for reading eggs-tra special books that will brighten your kids day. Taking care of their TBR is our prerogative and we’re ready for the little easter bunnies and penguins to dive into our captivating stories about art mysteries, pets, science experiments, and detectives. Let the easter games (and stories) begin!

Scroll through this curated list to find just the perfect books for kids of all ages.

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Inni and Bobo Find Each Other

Inni and Bobo Find Each Other
Inni and Bobo Find Each Other || Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu

Ages: 4+ years

Little Inni loves all animals, especially cute little puppies-and now she wants to get one! That’s when Mama and Papa take her to an animal adoption centre. Once there, Inni wants to take all the puppies home-after all, they’re so cute and adorable! But then she sees the scruffy-looking, floppy-eared Bobo. And her heart is set! She has found her new best friend!

Endearing and narrated with a lot of heart, the Inni and Bobo Series, is not only about a little child finding friendship but also about the beauty of adopting dogs. It’s about learning empathy and imperative life lessons, and most importantly about opening one’s heart and homes-which is what life is all about.

 

Young Indian Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Change-makers

Young Indian Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Change-makers
Young Indian Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Change-makers || Rupangi Sharma

Ages: 9+ years

LET’S MEET:
the teen whose tech company got a $75 million funding
the boy who created the world’s smallest satellite
the nine-year-old who set up her own software firm
the girl who started a social initiative to impart life skills through sports
And many more!

These are the inspiring stories of India’s future generations-innovative thinkers, dreamers and tinkerers-who have created amazing solutions to real-life problems. Aged seven to twenty-one, these youngsters are effecting change from far-flung rural villages, small towns, and urban cities. There’s no stopping these kids!

Motivated by their passions and the everyday problems they witnessed around them, these wunderkinds have succeeded in making a social impact. Their stories promise a young India, full of pioneers wowing the world with their prowess in technology, innovation, and social change.

 

10 Indian Art Mysteries That Have Never Been Solved

10 Indian Art Mysteries That Have Never Been Solved
10 Indian Art Mysteries That Have Never Been Solved || Mamta Nainy

Ages: 10+ years

This book tells the stories of ten mysterious people, styles and objects in Indian art from the prehistoric period to the present day-and in the process, it captures some of the diversity and range of the very large canvas we call Indian art. The stories told here include those of:

The Bhimbetka paintings
The evolution of the Buddha
The Ajanta caves
The Kailashanatha temple
The Pithora paintings
Women artists of the Mughal era
Bani Thani
Indian yellow
Manaku of Guler
The Sripuranthan Shiva Nataraja

Mamta Nainy explores diverse artistic periods, explains different art forms, and gives insights into the lives of artists working in different times and spaces, one curious case at a time.

 

Paati vs UNCLE

Paati vs UNCLE
Paati vs UNCLE || Meera Ganapathi

Ages: 7+ years

Inju wants is a quiet, boring holiday at the most boring house in Mumbai, but life at Parijat Retirement Colony is not the same anymore.

A thief is on the loose, and Paati has decided to become an UNCLE! But when the uncles of UNCLE (The Underground Nightly Cooperative League of Elders) act not so cooperative, Inju takes charge.

Joining forces with a lady whose papads were stolen, the skinny building watchman and Paati, Inju forms PAATI (The People’s Association against Thieves International).

Can this motley crew of detectives crack the code?

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So, this April, get ready to read some super fun stories with us!

Eight books to nurture your child’s perspective!

Posted on by prhi-dev

This International Women’s Day, we bring to you engaging and inspiring books about feisty, tenacious and extraordinary women! Whether you’re looking for picture books for young readers, nonfiction books about real-life pioneers or stories with memorable protagonists—we’ve got you covered.

Browse through these beautiful books and make your little one’s mind, heart and library more inclusive, fun and full of strength!

 

A Birthday Present for Aaji by Parinta Shetty
A Birthday Present for Aaji || Parinta Shetty

A Birthday Present for Aaji

Young Jyoti goes on a quest and meets with her neighbours to find the best birthday present for her Aaji — a woman who works many jobs including selling masala powder and fish, being a caretaker of a houseboat, a scuba-diving expert, a pretend ghost at Sindhudurg Fort. Wondering where her search leads her?

Ages: 5+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sweet Shop Wars by Chatura Rao
The Sweet Shop Wars by Chatura Rao

The Sweet Shop Wars

Firoza is on a mission to help her Daadu’s sweet shop beat their new rivals on the block. But when the girl from Best Sweets shop helps her out, Firoza learns a valuable lesson on friendship. Part of the Hook books, this book is a lovely lesson on tolerance and kindness towards everyone.

Ages: 5+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chumki and the Pangolin by Lesley Biswas
Chumki and the Pangolin || Lesley Biswas

Chumki and the Pangolin

The dangerous virus has forced everyone into lockdown including Chumki and her brother. Yet, when a poacher threatens her newly befriended pangolin, Chumki goes out of her way to save it from harm! Read the story to know about this daring girl who defies all odds to protect the ones she cares about.

Ages: 5+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Girl Who Was a Forest by Janaki Ammal
The Girl Who Was a Forest || Janaki Ammal

The Girl who was a Forest

An illustrated biography of Janaki Ammal who was an Anglo-Indian botanist known for her plant breeding techniques including her work on sugarcanes. Set in her ancestral home in Kerala, this is the story of young Janaki who learns a valuable lesson from a mangrove’s seed. A story of resilience, read the Dreamer Series to meet the fierce women who were once overshadowed by history.

Ages: 7+

 

 

 

 

 

My Grandmother's Masterpiece by Madhurima Vidyarthi
My Grandmother’s Masterpiece || Madhurima Vidyarthi

My Grandmother’s Masterpiece

In a world where we are conditioned to attach stereotypical roles to our elders, Nimi is taught how to break free of them. While the story begins with her questioning her grandmother’s role in her life she accepts, acknowledges and supports the artist in her, helping her grandmother blossom. Subtly changing the gender dynamics this story is a must read for all ages.

Ages: 7+

 

 

 

 

 

 

That Year at Manikoil by Aditi Krishnakumar
That Year at Manikoil || Aditi Krishnakumar

That Year at Manikoil

This is the story of Raji and her sisters who with their mother move back to their ancestral home in Manikoil after their brother joins the British Indian army during the Japanese Army’s invasion of Burma in 1943. Part of the Songs of Freedom series that looks into children’s lives during India’s struggle for independence, find out how Raji and her sisters acclimatise themselves to a life amidst the slow rumblings seeking India’s independence from Britain.

Ages: 10+

 

 

 

 

 

Rain Must Fall by Nandita Basu
Rain Must Fall || Nandita Basu

Rain Must Fall

A graphic novel about a young Rumi who befriends a friendly ghost and embark on a quest to find their identity. A tender book that looks into gender norms that shape a young person’s pursuit for identity and self-acceptance.

Ages: 12+

 

 

 

 

 

The Worlds Within You by Shreya Ramachandran
The Worlds Within You || Shreya Ramachandran

The Worlds Within You

Ami Shekhar is taking a break from college to be home and regroup. Her supportive sister Sam understands what Ami is going through and orchestrates a creative writing teaching assignment at her school. Will the workshop help both the sisters overcome their grief and find their balance? Read this young adult novel by debut writer Shreya Ramachandran who sensitively addresses lived mental health experiences and the support system required to accept and heal.

Ages: 12+

 

Celebrating stories by women this International Women’s Day!

Posted on by mdwivedi

“Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for.”

Jo March’s words still resonate with women across the globe. This International Women’s Day, we’re here to help you understand their perspectives better with a handpicked selection of stories written by women!

 

Madam Prime Minister by Seema Goswami

Madam Prime Minister||Seema Goswami

Asha Devi is India’s youngest ever Prime Minister. She is twenty-nine years old, charismatic and driven. Elevated to power after the assassination of her father she must prove that she is more than just a dynasty.

As Asha struggles to retain her hold on power, defeat the terrorists, keep her family together, win over coalition partners and tackle the beast of 24×7 news TV, she never loses sight of one objective: She must track down the man who murdered her father.

Written in a cinematic, fast-moving style this book offers an insider’s view of how things move at the top echelons of government and gives us a rare peek into the underbelly of the TV news business. It also brings back Asha Devi, the much-admired heroine of Seema Goswami’s bestselling Race Course Road.

 

 

 

Black Magic Women by Moushumi Kandali

Black Magic Women||Moushumi Kandali

In the recent past, many writers have acquainted readers with the composite culture of Assam. Moushumi Kandali makes a similar attempt in The Black Magic Women, but with a stark difference. She brings her characters out of Assam and places them in the mainstream, capturing their struggle to retain their inherent ‘Assameseness’ as they try to assimilate into the larger society.
The stories makes one pause, think and debate issues that range from racial discrimination (‘The Fireflies Outside of the Frame’) to sexual harassment (‘The Hyenas and Coach Number One’, ‘Kalindi, Your Black Waters . . . ‘) to the existential and ideological dilemma induced by the state’s complex sociopolitical scenario (‘The Final Leap of the Salmon’). The title story is revealing of how mainstream India perceives Assamese women-as powered with the art of seduction and black magic-as a result of which they face social discrimination that can range from racial slurs to physical abuse.
The writer ventures into a surrealistic mode, using a generous sprinkle of fable, myth and metaphors to deliver a powerful punch. With all the shades of emotion these ten stories from the North-east evoke, the reader cannot remain a passive observer.

 

Beguiled by Ruchika Soi

Beguiled||Ruchika Soi

Gitanjali met Randeep Singh Taneja at a farm party in Delhi. He called himself ‘Randy’. He flirted with her; she resisted. She was a single mother, a divorcee, and Randy was five years younger. They became friends, went for walks in Lodhi Garden, had coffee in Khan Market, and he asked her hand in marriage. She refused, he beguiled her, they fell in love, and she said yes.

The couple moved to London and this is where the first signs of trouble began. Away from all that was familiar to her, Gitanjali began to notice that Randy was not all that declared to be. Random phone calls from women who claimed to either be his wife or his girlfriend, a child who called him ‘Papa’, photographs of Randy with other women, multiple cell phones…and for all this he had reasonable explanations that left her with no room for doubt.

Gitanjali thought she knew her husband. That is until she hadn’t opened his cell phone and found out about the many lives he was leading across the world.

This book is a dark and gripping story about a marriage gone wrong. It is a cautionary tale of how we may think we know someone when we really don’t.

Beguiled is a true story.

 

Destiny’s Child by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat

Destiny’s Child||Raghu Palat, Pushpa Palat

This is an intimate account of the extraordinary life of Parukutty Nethyaramma, who went on to become one of the most powerful rulers of the Kingdom of Cochin.

At the tender age of fourteen, her marriage thrust her into a hostile world. Taking on her detractors, Parukutty stubbornly and fearlessly forged ahead to become a voice none could gainsay. Despite a seventeen-year age gap, she had built a special, unshakable bond with her husband. When he was crowned the sovereign ruler of Cochin, she vowed to support and protect his position throughout her life. Theirs was an enviable partnership of two incredible equals who together went on to break many traditional norms. At a time when women were relegated to the shadows, Parukutty travelled with her husband, participated in important discussions, and even went on to rule as his proxy. She became a force to be reckoned with in her own right.

Narrated by Parukutty’s own great-grandson and his wife, Raghu and Pushpa Palat, this deeply personal chronicle paints a vivid picture of a woefully understated icon from the twentieth century.

 

Boys Don’t Cry by Meghna Pant

Boys Don’t Cry||Meghna Pant

When Maneka Pataudi is arrested as the prime suspect for the murder of her ex-husband, she reveals a chilling tale of marital abuse and neglect.

But is her confession the truth or a lie? Is she telling the story as a victim or a perpetrator? And, is it better for women to kill for love or be killed for it?

Based on a true story (mostly), Boys Don’t Cry is a gripping, compelling and courageous novel that takes you behind the closed doors of a modern Indian marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

Dangerous Pursuits by Suniti Namjoshi

Dangerous Pursuits||Suniti Namjoshi

Humankind’s unrelenting mistreatment of our planet has finally led to a seemingly futile awareness of our acute shortage of time. What separates us from an oblivion preceded by excruciating pain and strife? The characters of this unique book, inspired by legends from lore and literature alike, pursue paths they believe are best for them and for their world. They are unaware of the flaws that distort their dreams. Divided into three parts, Suniti Namjoshi’s Dangerous Pursuits turns righteousness and virtue upon their heads, making for an irreverent and ruminative exploration of the beginning of the end of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Queen of Indian Pop by Usha Uthup

The Queen of Indian Pop||Usha Uthup

Usha Uthup, India’s undisputed icon of pop music, has enthralled an entire generation of listeners with her unforgettable voice and continues to do so. Completing fifty years as a professional singer in 2020 was just another milestone in her fabled career.

In this vivid biography, which was originally written in Hindi, Vikas Kumar Jha captures the entire arc of Uthup’s career in music. From her childhood days in Mumbai and her first gigs singing with jazz bands in Chennai’s glitzy nightclubs to her meteoric rise as India’s musical sensation and her philanthropic work, Jha covers it all and manages to weave a narrative that is colourful, inspiring and bound to keep any reader engrossed till the end.

This pitch-perfect English translation, by Srishti Jha, offers the reader a front-row seat to the life and times of the inimitable Usha Uthup.

 

 

The Blind Matriarch by Namita Gokhale

The Blind Matriarch||Namita Gokhale

The blind matriarch, Matangi-Ma, lives on the topmost floor of an old house with many stories. From her eyrie, she hovers unseeingly over the lives of her family. Her long-time companion Lali is her emissary to the world. Her three children are by turn overprotective and dismissive of her. Her grandchildren are coming to terms with old secrets and growing pains. Life goes on this way until one day the world comes to a standstill-and they all begin to look inward.

As certainties dissolve, endings lead to new beginnings. Structured with the warp of memory and the weft of conjoined lives, the narrative follows middle India, even as it records the struggles for individual growth, with successive generations trying to break out of the stranglehold of the all-encompassing Indian family.

Ebbing and flowing like the waves of a pandemic, the novel is a clear-eyed chronicle of the tragedies of India’s encounter with the Coronavirus, the cynicism and despair that accompanied it, and the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

 

 

From the Heart of Nature by Pamela Gale-Malhotra

From the Heart of Nature || Pamela Gale-Malhotra

Called ‘Noah’s Ark’ by an Oxford University scientist, SAI Sanctuary is an example of how Nature exists in a delicate balance. You cannot destroy Nature, and you cannot rearrange it without serious consequences to your existence.

Coming from two rich wisdom cultures, one Native American and one Indian, Pamela and Anil Malhotra made it their mission to salvage what they could in Kodagu, Karnataka, where years of illegal logging and poaching had ravaged the land and decimated the wildlife. Today, with the forests and the ecosystem restored, and the wildlife protected, this sanctuary is a treasure trove of a rich variety of indigenous trees and plants, and a refuge for numerous rare and threatened species of animals, some found nowhere else on the planet.

In this deeply fascinating and inspiring personal narrative, Pamela recounts how she connected and communicated with animals and trees at both physical and spiritual levels, and how the only way to save humanity is through understanding and preserving Nature.

 

 

Women of Influence by Rajni Sekhri Sibal 

Women of Influence||Rajni Sekhri Sibal

Women of Influence is a compilation of the untold stories of ten women IAS officers who have walked the extra mile and made a difference despite facing major pressures in governance. Having worked in the civil services for thirty-seven years, Rajni Sekhri Sibal has been in a unique position to see things at close quarters, which is why she is able to present narratives that provide an insight into the challenges of being a woman IAS officer, and also highlight episodes where the protagonist displays immense courage and commitment during the most difficult of times.

The book relates accounts of how different protagonists responded to threats of violence post-death in police custody, to illegal mining by a sand mafia and to resistance to the introduction of technology in a government organization. Strategies adopted for making India Polio-free in 2011 and interventions to deal with the scrouge of human trafficking also provide interesting insights in the book. The narratives are inspiring tales of ten strong and efficient women of substance, and their extraordinary careers wherein they made a difference.

 

Sita by Bhanumati Narasimhan

Sita||Bhanumathi Narasimhan

Sita, the beloved princess of Mithila, is one of the most revered women in Indian history; so well known, yet probably the least understood. At every crossroad of her life, she chose acceptance and grace over self-pity. Her life was filled with sacrifice yet wherever she was, there was abundance. It was as if she was carved out of intense longing for Rama, yet she had infinite patience. In every situation, she reflected his light and he reflected her love.

In her, we find someone who is so divine yet so human.

In this poignant narration, Bhanumathi shows us the world through the eyes of Sita. We think what Sita thinks, we feel what she feels, and for these few special moments, we become a part of her. And perhaps, through this perspective, and Sita’s immortal story, we will discover the true strength of a woman.

 

 

We hope you enjoyed this exclusive list curated to bring out the views and perspectives of women and their diverse voices.

Which book stands out for you?

 

March towards our latest releases

Posted on by kavyawahi

How grateful are we to welcome March, for the little ones can finally come out of their blankets and bask in the soft rays of the sun with a great book in hand! While they are on the lookout for the best reading corners in and around their houses, we are taking care of their reading lists.

Scroll through our latest releases for the month and you’ll find something for the young readers to discover in these engaging stories and beautifully-illustrated books. We are sure that our penguinsters would want to bookmarch…bookmark all of them!

 

The Sweet Shop Wars

The Sweet Shop Wars
The Sweet Shop Wars || Chatura Rao

For ages: 5+

Best Sweets has opened next to Firoza’s dadu’s sweet shop and is taking away all the customers. How can Firoza make her dadu’s shop better than Best?

The Hook Book series of short simple stories for beginning readers come with fun stories set in different parts of India, gorgeous illustrations and short exercises to enhance the reading experience.

 

A Birthday Present for Aaji

A Birthday Present for Aaji
A Birthday Present for Aaji || Parinita Shetty

For ages: 5+

Aaji’s birthday is coming up, but Jyoti has no idea what to get her. Fortunately, everyone in their village has lots of very different ideas…

The Hook Book series of short simple stories for beginning readers come with fun stories set in different parts of India, gorgeous illustrations and short exercises to enhance the reading experience.

 

Help! My Aai Wants to Eat Me

Help! My Aai Wants to Eat Me
Help! My Aai Wants to Eat Me || Bijal Vachharajani

For ages: 7+

Avi has an extremely annoying habit of seeing the good side (pros) and the bad side (cons) of situations that life tosses his way-just like the curveballs his best friend HJ tosses while playing cricket.

Only this time, Avi is in the soup. Just like the mama bear who is known to eat her sickly baby, Avi is pretty sure that his aai wants to dunk him in soup and eat him up. Even though he definitely would not taste good.

Now, the only two options in front of Avi are fight or be fried.

Avi’s thoughts on this book:

Pro: Reading this book will make you a smart cookie and feed your imagination, especially about all things wild.

Con: Cookies are edible and Aai is hungry! Uh-oh.

Dig in at your own risk.

 

Curious Tales from the Desert

Curious Tales from the Desert
Curious Tales from the Desert || Shaguna Gahilote, Prarthana Gahilote

For ages: 9+

Deep in the wild jungles of Rajasthan resides a magical sparrow that grants wishes…

In Gujarat, a pandit haggles with vendors and chastises merchants as he chases an elusive bargain…

A bullocky in Multan encounters a mysterious and wise old man who charges money to talk!

A pandemonium of fools, geniuses and everyone in between gambol across the deserts of India to amusing and delightful results. So sit back with a bowlful of kheench and get ready to be enchanted by the beauty of the Thar, the nights at the Cholistan, and the markets of Kutch.

 

The Worlds Within You

The Worlds Within You
The Worlds Within You || Shreya Ramachandran

For ages: 13+

The Worlds Within You tells the story of Ami Shekar, who has decided to take a break from her first year of university in the UK and return to her home in Chennai. Ami is stuck, and finds herself fretting, overthinking and retreating into her own head. But she knows that whatever it is that makes her feel ‘weird’ all the time must have a name to it. And so, Ami is back home, to come to terms with many things: her mental health, her own identity, memories of her grandfather and, finally, herself.
Set over the course of seven writing classes, this is an unconventional and melancholic take on what it means to be alive and find your own emotional support system-no matter how flawed the people within your system might be.

Celebrate the month of love with books

Posted on by kavyawahi

Everything seems rosy for the little and young ones, for they experience happiness and love in infinite ways. So why limit their imagination and definition of love?

Let them celebrate this month of love with their pets, friends, parents, grandparents, objects, plants, books, or even their toys. While they do so, introduce them to our personally-curated list of fascinating titles that tell some amazing and fun stories. Exploring different forms of love—our stories will bring your kids, little cousins, nieces and nephews happiness and knowledge.

So, choose some of their next-favourites from this list!

Ritu Weds Chandni

Ritu Weds Chandni
Ritu Weds Chandni || Ameya Narvankar

Ayesha is excited to attend her cousin Ritu’s wedding. She can barely wait to dance at the baraat! But not everyone is happy that Ritu is marrying her girlfriend, Chandni.

Some have even vowed to stop the celebrations. Will Ayesha be able to save her cousin’s big day?

Centering Ayesha’s love for her cousin as much as it showcases Ritu and Chandni’s love for each other, this warm-hearted story celebrates the power of young voices to stand up against prejudice and bigotry.

 

Sometimes Mama, Sometimes Papa

Sometimes Mama, Sometimes Papa
Sometimes Mama, Sometimes Papa || Nandini Nayar

For children and changing families who have two unique homes. Peek into the simplest solutions for understanding one of life’s most difficult moments–separation.

When Keya’s parents stopped living together, unusual things happened.
Keya became the only girl in her class with two homes.
‘Where will you live?’
‘Who will you live with?’
‘Sometimes Mama,’ Keya said, ‘sometimes Papa!’

This heart-warming story with comforting pictures reassures young readers that parents, whether alone or together, are always there for them.

Mama and Papa are always wonderful together.
Perhaps, they will be wonderful separately too?

 

Maithili and the Minotaur

Maithili and the Minotaur
Maithili and the Minotaur || C.G. Salamander

What if our world was a lot more? Filled with unknown creatures-some friendly, some scary.

An outcast to the world of humans, Maithili lives in the outskirts of a magical wilderness. But as she makes new friends in the realm of monsters, she must learn to be careful. Because some monsters are just like humans: mean, nasty and out for blood.

Perfect for fans of Hilda and Arthur and the Golden Rope, join Maithili and the Minotaur on their very first adventure in an outlandish world where nothing is as it seems.

 

Kitten Trouble

Kitten Trouble
Kitten Trouble || Bijal Vachharajani

Sani is terrified of animals-dogs, cats, cows. But her mother has just brought home an orange-white furball.

What is Sani to do?

Kitten Trouble is a part of the Hook Books series. These books are for very young readers, aged five and above. The books work well for reading out loud to kids or for young readers just starting to read by themselves. Written by some of the best-known writers for children, and illustrated in exuberant colour by some of India’s most-loved illustrators, these stories are set largely in non-urban settings. Hawaldar Hook is the endearing mascot of the Hook Books. Each book includes short and fun language exercises at the end.

 

My Grandmother’s Masterpiece

My Grandmother’s Masterpiece
My Grandmother’s Masterpiece || Madhurima Vidyarthi

‘This is the story of how my grandmother became a famous artist. It happened somewhere between my seventh and eighth birthdays, so she was really old and also a grandmother, and I didn’t know she was an artist. And, of course, she was not famous. And then she was both, all at once.’
For Nini, Minima is just her normal everyday grandmother. So when Minima suddenly shows an interest in doing something new, Nini is not sure that she likes it. After all, a grandmother’s first job is being a grandmother, isn’t it?

February’s list of books for bibliophiles

Posted on by kavyawahi

Don’t our little readers feel that it was only a few days ago that they were celebrating the New Year and now they are welcoming the month of February? Well, we definitely relate with them.

We are here to give our young friends company with some of our best books that are sure to take them for a fun-filled, adventurous, and simply amazing ride. With stories about historical sites, interesting people, brilliant artist, struggles for independence and long, eventful journeys will provide kids a wholesome reading experience.

So, let’s dive into the list of our latest releases!

 

When Blackbirds Fly

When Blackbirds Fly
When Blackbirds Fly || Hannah Lalhlanpuii

Ages: 10+ years

Life is sweet growing up in Aizawl, with his family and friends, and all the narrator wants is a peaceful life. But the independence movement in Mizoram means that regardless of what he wants, he is drawn inexorably into a world where everyone has to choose where they stand…
Set in the initial stages of the two-decade-long struggle for Mizoram’s independence and against the backdrop of the 1966 bombing of Aizawl, this stunning debut novel is an universal story of how individual dreams and lives are shattered when larger conflicts arise.

 

My Grandmother’s Masterpiece

My Grandmother’s Masterpiece
My Grandmother’s Masterpiece || Madhurima Vidyarthi

Ages: 8+ years

‘This is the story of how my grandmother became a famous artist. It happened somewhere between my seventh and eighth birthdays, so she was really old and also a grandmother, and I didn’t know she was an artist. And, of course, she was not famous. And then she was both, all at once.’
For Nini, Minima is just her normal everyday grandmother. So when Minima suddenly shows an interest in doing something new, Nini is not sure that she likes it. After all, a grandmother’s first job is being a grandmother, isn’t it?

 

Sahyadri Adventure: Anirudh’s Dream

Sahyadri Adventure: Anirudh’s Dream
Sahyadri Adventure: Anirudh’s Dream || Deepak Dalal

Once upon a time, there were fields in the city of Mumbai. Panthers roamed the forests of Malabar Hill and the occasional tiger could still be spotted, swimming the harbour or prowling the fringes of the city. The sea flooded the channels that separated the seven islands of the city. And on one of the islands stood a Fort, guarded by cannons that bristled from black ramparts.

Vikram, Aditya and their friends Anirudh and Chitra no idea of the existence of this Fort. But in a cave, on a windswept mountain in the Sahaydris, Anirudh has a dream. He dreams of a boy named Irfan who once lived in this Fort. He dreams of a city long lost and a friendship both transformative and life-affirming.

Journey to the Sahyadris in the first part of this riveting tale where history meets adventure in one of the most beautiful locales of India.

 

Sahyadri Adventure: Koleshwar’s Secret

Sahyadri Adventure: Koleshwar’s Secret
Sahyadri Adventure: Koleshwar’s Secret || Deepak Dalal

Far out in the Sahyadris rises a mountain called Koleshwar. Amidst its caves and rumbling streams lie many secrets, secrets that Anirudh discovers when he wakes from a strange dream. Vikram, Aditya, Chitra and Anirudh are now tasked with trying to make sense of his dream. How does Anirudh inexplicably recognize not just every contour and ridge of the lush, monsooned hills but also know every minute detail of the vanished Fort of Mumbai? Will this group of budding adventurers decode the forgotten legacy, buried in the ancient slopes of the Sahyadris, before tips goes over the edge?

Journey to the Sahyadris in the concluding instalment of this riveting tale where history meets adventure in one of the most beautiful locales of India.

 

Discover India: Mountains and Rivers of India

Discover India: Mountains and Rivers of India
Discover India: Mountains and Rivers of India || Sonia Mehta

Ages: 8+ years

  • Did you know the Himalayas are a series of four parallel mountain belts?
  • Where does the Siwalik range get its name from?
  • Did you know the Western Ghats are listed by UNESCO as a biodiversity hotspot?
  • What is the name of the famous dam on Sutlej River?

There are a million incredible things to discover about India–from its land, people, food, festivals, to culture and a whole lot more! Daadu Dolma makes it even more fun for Mishki and Pushka in this book by telling them interesting facts about India’s majestic mountains and mighty rivers.

Join them as they explore the highest peaks, discover fascinating wildlife and look for the sources of rivers. This is a journey you don’t want to miss!

Mountains and Rivers of India is part of the Discover India series of books that contain lots of fun facts and engaging activities. Through these books, delve into the history, culture, food, festivals, wildlife and monuments of India, and find out what makes this diverse nation such a fascinating place to be.

 

Discover India: 101 Awesome Facts about India

Discover India: 101 Awesome Facts about India
Discover India: 101 Awesome Facts about India || Sonia Mehta

Ages: 8+ years

  • Ever seen a desert made of salt?
  • Did you know the Himalayas are said to grow taller by two inches every year?
  • Which ancient fort has the second longest wall in the world encircling it?
  • Did you know that chess was invented in India thousands of years ago?

There are a million incredible things to discover about India–from its land, people, food, festivals to culture and a whole lot more! Daadu Dolma makes it even more fun for Mishki and Pushka in this book by telling them 101 awesome facts about India.

Join them as they traverse through time to learn about India’s land and water, foot-tapping music, snippets about lesser-known tribes, interesting people and celebrations. This is a journey you don’t want to miss!

101 Awesome Facts about India is part of the Discover India series of books that contain lots of fun facts and engaging activities. Through these books, delve into the history, culture, food, festivals, wildlife and monuments of India, and find out what makes this diverse nation such a fascinating place to be.

 

Journey to the Edge of the Earth: True Adventure of Naval Officer Abhilash Tomy

Journey to the Edge of the Earth: True Adventure of Naval Officer Abhilash Tomy
Journey to the Edge of the Earth: True Adventure of Naval Officer Abhilash Tomy || Joeanna Rebello Fernandes

Travel far and wide with an Indian sailor and his endless love for the sea!

Imagine an infinite blue ocean and somewhere in the middle of it, tossed by wind and wave-a single boat. In it a solitary sailor.

This is the gritty, glorious and true adventure of Commander Abhilash Tomy, a former officer of the Indian Navy, who in 2012 set off on the journey of a lifetime. Without once stopping by land, he circumnavigated the world alone for 151 days, encountering deathly perils on choppy waters! No other Indian had sailed like this before. When he finally returned to India, Abhilash was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his heroism.

Dive right into this rousing tale of a real-life hero whose ambition, courage, and determination to circle the world on his little boat, will fire up your imagination. And as you travel with Abhilash across the ocean, learn about famous ships and sailors, legends and maps, winds and currents, and a score and more fascinating stories about our world of water.

 

Mythonama: The Big Book of Indian Mythologies

Mythonama: The Big Book of Indian Mythologies
Mythonama: The Big Book of Indian Mythologies || Mudita Chauhan-Mubayi, Adittya Nath Mubayi

Ages: 10+ years

  • A thunderbolt of bone, a discus of sun dust
  • A menagerie of beastly deities and divine beasts
  • Shape-shifting shenanigans, cosmic miracles

Dive into myths and legends from the Avesta, Quran, Mahabharata, Bible and more. Meet immortal beings and magical creatures like Kag Bhushundi, Girimekhala and Bahubali in anecdotes, fables, quizzes and crosswords.

Unlock this vault of timeless treasures, brimming with creation myths, supernatural twins, sacred plants and wondrous weapons. Even the Potterverse and Star Wars appear in this perfect primer on Indian myths.

Brought to life by the popular quizmaker-author duo, Mythonama is a fascinating narrative blending engaging text, fantastical illustrations and immersive activities.

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