When the days grow shorter and the air fills with the scent of something magical, there’s nothing like curling up with a book that sparks imagination and wonder. Here’s a collection of books that are perfect for reading under a blanket or by a window on a chilly afternoon. Let’s turn the page and find your next storytime favorite!
Go Wild || Bijal Vachharajani
Meet an army of ants, a chorus of frogs, a plague of pigeons, a ballet of mantis, a grove of trees, a colony of bee-eaters, a herd of elephants, a lone owl and vulture and groups of human beings. Listen to a tale of three lakes, climb up a mountain, dive into the ocean, travel back in time and look at the natural world anew.
Some of India’s most celebrated nature writers and illustrators come together to celebrate the planet we call home.
Nisha Small: The Strand of Silver || C.G. Salamander
Nisha Small and Jamie have a difficult mystery to solve.
When a barn full of bulls is burnt down, Small and Jamie need to figure out who is behind this terrible crime. And there are very few clues . . .
Folk Tales from Meghalaya || Sobhona Bhattacharjee, Utsa Bose
A collection of sixteen magical myths and fables that will transport you to the abode of clouds!
In the beautiful hills of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia in Meghalaya, there are fairies that can create rivers, a plant that can make people invisible and a fern bush which can ward off evil spirits. There are also three-headed giants, queens and villagers, animals and birds, and many other fascinating plants and creatures. Passed down by word of mouth over hundreds of years, these sixteen magical folk tales from Meghalaya, in the north-east of India, are full of adventure, wonder and excitement.
Gana Bajana: Music of Hindu Gods || Devdutt Pattanaik
Shiva’s damaru to Krishna’s flute,
Durga’s ghanti and Ravana’s lute.
Dance to the rhythm and embrace the sound,
As divine melodies swirl around.
Well-known mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik introduces young readers to the fun and fascinating musical instruments of Hindu gods with his unique art and easy-to-read text.
The School for Bad Girls || Madhurima Vidyarthi
Nineteenth-century Calcutta is abuzz with social reforms, especially with regard to womens’ rights and education. And in this time, Kadambini Ganguly dreams of going to university—and in the ultimate audacious hope—wants to become a doctor. The fictionalised story of Kadambini, one of the first women graduates of the British Empire and the first woman to get a degree from an Indian medical college, is rivetingly told by Madhurima Vidyarthi, in a fascinating portrait of nineteenth century life, society and its arbitrary mores.
October is the month of adventure. Introduce your young ones to Rachita and Aarti, who have a nemesis out to get them, and the Naturalist Ruddy Mongoose, who combines natural history with detective fiction. Ruskin Bond’s famous character, Ranji, is back in a heart-warming story and so is Rumi, who encounters a ghost–Rain! Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Dihli, is outraged; but why? Maithili and the Minotaur are on their very first adventure in an outlandish world where nothing is as it seems…
We’ve also included something for the youngest readers – those learning to read!
My First Words
My First Words
This collection of 15 mini board books is more than just a set of adorable books for a child’s first library–they are also engaging learning tools! The format includes activities like stacking, sorting, counting, matching and identifying colours that encourage interactive learning of basic concepts and facilitate developmental skills in kids.
The box set comprises mini books with sturdy board pages and rounded corners that are perfect for tiny hands. With adorable illustrations and a modern design, this box set includes a variety of relevant topics like first words, animals, numbers, shapes, colours and more.
The Tunnel
The Tunnel || Ruskin Bond
Fascinated by the midday train, Ranji would find himself waiting near the tunnel to catch a glimpse of the engine come roaring out of it. But the tunnel has more surprises for him. From a jungle full of lush green trees comes a timeless tale of unexpected friendship, curiosity, duty and wildlife.
Peppered with delightful illustrations, Ruskin Bond brings to his readers another heart-warming story packaged as a charming chapter book-a perfect introduction for beginners to the world of India’s favourite writer!
Tughlaq and the Stolen Sweets
Tughlaq and the Stolen Sweets || Natasha Sharma
For Ages: 8+ years
Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Dihli, is outraged. Someone has stolen his favourite dessert, the sugared melons from Khurasim. What’s worse, people are questioning his plans of torture and punishment. Who can help the Sultan solve this mystery?
The Case of the Nosy
The Case of the Nosy || Archit Taneja
For Ages: 11+ years
Rachita and Aarti have a nemesis who is out to destroy them …
Garbage vandals are defacing walls of residential societies. Aarti’s birthday presents include miniature coasters. Rachita starts having egg-themed nightmares …
Are these happenings related to the mysterious time-travelling detective gang that is challenging the Superlative Supersleuths? And will they be able to foil their rivals or will they end up getting owned?
Case notes:
1. Why do the eggs have banana heads?
2. The Harappans cared about home furnishings.
3. The Nemesis might be a time traveller!
Rain Must Fall
Rain Must Fall || Nandita Basu
For Ages: 12+ years
Rumi is not too enthusiastic about accompanying Baba to the sleepy village of Shankerpur, where he is planning to convert their ancestral home into a bed and breakfast. But Rumi is happy to be away from school and friends who have problems understanding Rumi’s identity.
In the middle of one night, Rumi encounters a ghost–Rain, who does not remember his own story or why he is compelled to be a ghost. And it is in trying to help Rain find his peace, that sets Rumi on a journey of love, friendship and acceptance.
This is a tale of love and loss, of rejection and affirmation, and above all, the healing and illuminating power of friendship.
Maithili and the Minotaur
Maithili and the Minotaur || C.G. Salamander
For Ages: 10+ years
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.
Naturalist Ruddy
Naturalist Ruddy || Rohan Chakravarty
Are you ‘Ruddy’ for adventure?
In the forests of central India, where teak meets sal and plateaus meet hills, natural history meets detective fiction in an inquisitive Ruddy Mongoose’s investigations. Join Naturalist Ruddy as he unearths some of nature’s most fascinating mysteries in this one-of-a-kind comic book set across India’s various natural habitats.
The vividly illustrated stories of Teejan Bai and Satyajit Ray in Lavanya Karthik’s Dreamers Series are inspiring for young kids. Karthik’s stories and artworks are perfectly synced with the high and low notes of Teejan Bai’s life and have captured the most significant shots of Satyajit Ray’s life. Both of them are acknowledged and appreciated for their unique talents.
Get your children hooked to the pages of Dreamers Series and let them get inspired to hone their skills. Here’s a glimpse of the younger selves of Teejan Bai and Satyajit Ray.
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The Girl Who Loved To Sing: Teejan Bai
The Girl Who Loved To Sing: Teejan Bai || Lavanya Karthik
Once again, Teejan sneaks out after her chores for lessons with her grandfather.
Brijlal gives her her first tanpura.
‘Become your characters! Become your story!’
‘Feel the music!
‘Feel the story!
‘Feel it come alive!’
Teejan sings!
‘Don’t just sing—become the song!
‘Become the characters in it!’
Teejan cannot eat, she cannot sleep! All she can think of is song.
She forgets her chores; she ignores her siblings, until one day,
Ma catches her singing . . .
Teejan runs away.
The Boy Who Played with Light: Satyajit Ray
The Boy Who Played with Light: Satyajit Ray || Lavanya Karthik
There was light in the new home we made.
In the eyes of the family that welcomed us.
In the stories that Ma told me every night.
In the notebooks I filled with drawings, just like Baba once did.
But . . .
The shadows were always there.
They loomed in corners, watching me.
They crouched under tables, muttering and hissing.
I tried to describe them to my family.
My cousins chuckled. ‘Manik will be a writer like his baba!’
The shadows lurked in doorways.
They followed me through the house.
I thought my drawings might help.
‘What an imagination!’ Ma smiled. ‘Manik will be an artist like his baba!’
I raced through the house, up the stairs, down the corridors. The shadows followed!
‘Manik!’ my aunt called out, through the haze of the afternoon heat. ‘Play quietly! We’re trying to sleep!’
I dodged!
I dived!
I ducked!
The shadows kept pace!
Until . . . An open door!
. . .
They were stories, waiting for me to notice them.
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Read The Girl Who Loved To Sing: Teejan Bai and The Boy Who Played with Light: Satyajit Ray from Lavanya Karthik’s ‘Dreamers Series’ to know what happens in the lives of these two great personalities and how did they become as the world knows them today.
It is common for Nani to somersault around the room and backflip without a flinch. Her ninja senses jingle when there is danger in Gadbadnagar and the air then wibbles and wobbles around her. Nani steps out every night, catches robbers, helps people trapped in lifts and burning buildings, and saves stray pups and little birdies. Is it hard to believe?
Here’s an excerpt from the book where Nani gives a glimpse of her superpowers to young Deepu.
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Ninja Nani and the Freaky Food Festival || Lavanya Karthik
‘So what happened? Where did you go? How?’ If Deepu’s questions had had feet, they would have tripped over themselves trying to get out of his head.
The door slammed as Papa rushed out of the house to get to his doctor.
Upstairs, another door slammed. Then they heard the SKREECH-THUD! of Mummy pulling her chair out and plonking herself in it. The muffled sounds of her talking on the phone followed.
Nani turned to Deepu. ‘I could tell you, or . . .’ She smiled and raised her hands. The air around her fingers fizzled! Little electric sparks danced.
Deepu gasped. ‘Is this . . .?’ he whispered.
Nani pressed her fingers gently to either side of Deepu’s forehead. Deepu’s brain sparked and frizzled! More jutsu!
‘The Ninja ThoughtMeld!’ Deepu shut his eyes tight, as images jumped and crashed and fizzed about inside his head. Morimori used it on his show all the time!
‘Who knows?’ said Nani’s voice, inside his head. ‘It’s this trick I picked up last week.’
‘Am I hearing your thoughts?’
‘You are! Pretty neat, huh? But wait, it gets better!’
She was right.
Deepu couldn’t just hear her thoughts, he could see them as well.
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To know how Nani, Deepu’s own Superhero, fights the monsters and saves everyone from gadbad, read Ninja Nani and the Freaky Food Festival.
The rani embraced Damodar at the gates of the palace, with the British officers and soldiers looking on.
Then she turned to face Major Ellis. Her expression was grim, almost forbidding.
‘May I know the reason for your visit, Major Ellis?’ Her tone was casual, but her eyes were stormy.
Major Ellis bowed, feeling unusually nervous. ‘I bring a message from Lord Dalhousie, Your Majesty.’
‘Follow me, then.’ The rani strode into the palace and the soldiers hurried to keep pace with her.
In the main audience chamber, she seated herself on the throne and gestured to Major Ellis to speak.
The major cleared his throat several times before he felt able to utter a word. But speak he did because he had to. ‘Your adopted son, Damodar Rao’s right to rule has been rejected. So, by the Doctrine of Lapse, this kingdom now belongs to the British.’
‘Main apni Jhansi nahi doongi!’
The queen’s voice rang out, firm and true. It echoed all around the royal audience chamber and even along the corridors beyond. The Jhansi officers and guards who heard it sprang to attention and stiffened their backs with pride, almost without realizing it.
‘What did she say?’ the British officer behind Major Ellis muttered to his companion.
The other officer, who understood Hindustani well, translated quickly: ‘She said, I will not yield my Jhansi.’
Major Ellis was clearly uncomfortable, more so when Rani Lakshmibai turned her gaze on him. He had never seen the young queen look so angry. Her face was flushed, her eyes glittered with rage and her fists, partly hidden by her pearl bracelets, were clenched so tightly in her lap that her knuckles shone white.
She sat, proud and erect, on her throne, silently demanding a response from him. He turned his eyes away, unable to justify the decision made by the British.
Queen of Fire || Devika Rangachari
She went on, her fury unabated. ‘Is this how the British repay loyalty? Generations of Jhansi rulers have supported them—have supported every step they have taken in this country, whatever our private feelings on the matter. So tell me, Major Ellis, what have we got for our pains?’
‘Your Majesty,’ he replied, his voice low so that those around had to strain to hear it. ‘I am a friend of Jhansi and a true supporter of your cause. But my hands are tied. I have no other option than to follow the orders of my superiors.’
‘You witnessed the adoption ceremony!’ she lashed out. ‘And you carried the news of it to your superiors. If they now doubt its validity, then it is clear that they don’t trust their own people. Don’t trust you. Yet you bend to their will and follow their unjust orders?’
Her words rankled but he had to answer. ‘I am sorry, Your Majesty,’ he said steadily, ‘but the British will now take over the governance of Jhansi. You will receive a monthly pension and may stay on here at the palace. I need to lock up the treasury and the military stores. Your money and weapons belong to the British from here on. All your soldiers will be dismissed, except a few that may remain for your personal safety.’
All eyes were on the queen; it was as if the very chamber was holding its breath. Sounds drifted in from the soldiers amassed outside the building—the murmur of voices, the clearing of throats, the shifting of feet—harmless in themselves, but indicative of the British military might mere steps away. It gave the rani no option but to obey.
To Major Ellis, the rani’s silence was more ominous than her words.
Her face was white and her hands trembled slightly as she signalled to her elderly prime minister, Dewan Rao Bande, to hand over the keys to Major Ellis.
This was a terrible blow, indeed. The British had been sniffing around various kingdoms, hoping to pounce at the first sign of weakness, which is why it had been so crucial to adopt Damodar and have it ratified. And all had seemed to be well for a while. Now her anger was directed equally at the British and herself. How could she have let her guard down and been so complacent! She should have known that the British would not give up so easily. Yet anger would not get her anywhere, she quickly realized. She would have to think fast and on her feet. She would not give up, she vowed to herself. Somehow, she would get her throne back and ensure Damodar’s succession.
Right now, Jhansi was like an ant before an elephant. But ants could bite and she would make sure this one bit hard . . .
The hOle Books are incredibly fun and delightful. Full of beautiful illustrations, they bring to life the lives of young protagonists who face challenges and emerge more well-rounded. There are a million reasons to pick up any of these books. Here are a few:
The Clockwala’s Clues||Varsha Seshan
The Clockwala’s Clues
by Varsha Seshan
Varsha Seshan’s The Clockwala’s Clues will keep you glued to its pages. Jasmine and Sheba want to get stray puppies off the street by encouraging people to adopt them. But Sheba has a problem managing her time, and her father is going to send her off to learn time management over the summer. Who will adopt the puppies then? How will Jasmine manage this feat on her own?
This quick read is more than the adventures of two girls. It is also a fantastic look into solving real parenting issues in creative ways, ways that do not punish children for their excitement and innocent curiosities, but enable them to approach things as challenges.
Chumki and the Elephants||Lesley D. Biswas
Chumki and the Elephants
by Lesley D. Biswas
It is a universal fact that Chumki’s Dadi loves sooji ka halwa. So Chumki is naturally stunned when her Dadi feeds her the entirety of the portion given to her. But in the midst of this domestic confusion, some elephants escape from a nearby reserve. Dadi remembers the last time that the elephants came; now that they are here again, will it help her regain her memory?
Lesley D. Biswas’s adorable story works with some serious themes under the surface – a beloved grandmother who is losing her memory, forgetting her own granddaughter’s name cannot be easy to tackle, but Biswas integrates this wonderfully into the story.
The Chirmi Chasers||Arefa Tehsin
The Chirmi Chasers
by Arefa Tehsin
Nanka’s father Doonga wants to host an inter-school sitola match, which is highly unconventional for everyone he knows. If they win, they will be able to use the sports facilities of Madhopur High to train their students.
If they lose, he will quit his job.
Having picked a rag-tag team of four unlikely players, Doonga proceeds. But will they win?
This is a story not simply about an exciting match with high stakes but also a great exercise on building a team. It shows us that a team can be formed out of unlikely people, that any time people come together to do something and put their mind to it, anything is possible.
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Share these wonderful books with your young ones; few things are more precious than discovering new worlds with your little readers.
Poondy’s weather reports feature fruits. They fall from the skies. But there’s a lot more happening in this quaint town. Get a glimpse into the magic with this excerpt from Arjun Talwar’s delightful new book, Bim and The Town of Falling Fruit:
Most of Miss Chitty’s passengers were people who’d just arrived to Poondy. This meant that she had to carry their suitcases and put them on top of her car before taking them to town. If the passengers discovered they were in the wrong Poondy, Miss Chitty had to take these down and say sorry, as if it was all her fault. So she had a habit of telling these newcomers where they were before she touched their bags.
‘This is the Poondy where fruit always falls,’ she would say.
Because if there’s anything special about Poondy, it’s the jackfruit, coconut and toddy trees that are always threatening to drop their fruit on everyone’s heads. Most of these trees lean away from their roots at an angle, so fruit floats above the whole town. There are skinny trees, fat trees, trees you could climb and trees you couldn’t, but the sound of fruit falling is always the same: thrrrump.
…There are two approaches to the problem of falling fruit in Poondy. One is simply to always look up. You see when a jackfruit or coconut breaks off its branch. You move away, your head is saved. On the other hand, two up-lookers might bump into each other. But there are ways to avoid this (for example, by whistling). Even then, an up-looker can easily step into a pile of cow poo. Can you imagine scraping poo off your sandals while looking up?
For a long time, this was the only strategy they had in Poondy. Then Falwala came up with the idea of a fruit-helmet.
A fruit-helmet is a piece of headgear, with or without chinstrap, intended to save the skull from the force of falling fruit. What makes a fruit-helmet special is the gap between the top of the helmet and the head below it. Because of the gap, the head is safe, even when a jackfruit lands on it. A statue of Falwala in a prototype fruit-helmet stands in the middle of the Big Square (Falwala didn’t enjoy his success for long; he was pummelled by a coconut while washing the prototype in a pond).
The helmets look silly. But you can walk freely, whistle or not whistle, have clean feet and, in general, lead a normal life, while living in a world of falling fruit. For these reasons, fruit-helmets are popular with Poondizens. They’re traded in various forms—brightly coloured or unpainted, steel or wooden—and can be ready-made or made to order. You can find pointy ones that split the fruit open, so it can be eaten. You can have a hole in the back to put your ponytail through. But the essence of a fruit- helmet is the same as it was in Falwala’s day. It boils down to that invisible ingredient: the gap.
It’s Decembrrrr, but we have wonderful new reads for you that will keep you warm through the chilly days. Welcome to a new month of amazing stories and illustrations that will keep you engrossed!
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Of Revolutionaries and Bravehearts||Mallika Ravikumar
Of Revolutionaries and Bravehearts: Notable Tales from Indian History
by Mallika Ravikumar
History is often narrated as sagas of kings and queens, legends of battles and wars, or chronicles of art and architecture. But history is more than that. It is the story of ordinary people; their food and language, their thoughts and beliefs, their livelihood and culture. Tales of sweepers and sculptors, robbers and merchants, sailors and saint-why, even pirates!
In this book, Mallika Ravikumar pens eight historical stories that help you look upon the past, as less of a dry-as-bone set of facts, and more of a dynamic shift that shapes our present. Told through the lens of class and conflict, symbols and language, creativity and enterprise and power and perspective, these stories help younger readers see why history is relevant and meaningful.
The Chirmi Chasers||Arefa Tehsin
The Chirmi Chasers
by Arefa Tehsin
A sitola match between two rival schools is more than a game for Nanka-if they lose, he and his father have to leave town! Can Nanka and his unlikely teammates do it? Arefa Tehsin’s book is a classic underdog story featuring a ragtag group of friends fighting against prejudice.
The Clockwala’s Clues||Varsha Seshan
The Clockwala’s Clues
by Varsha Seshan
Jasmine and Sheba want to spend the holidays finding homes for stray puppies. But to do so, they have to first solve a series of puzzles set by Sheba’s father, Clockwala Uncle. Can they do this in time?
Chumki and The Elephants||Lesley D. Biswas
Chumki And The Elephants
by Lesley D. Biswas
Dadi forgets everything, including Chumki’s name. When elephants escape from a nearby reserve, can it be a blessing in disguise and help Dadi remember? A fun story about a young girl, her forgetful grandmother and elephants, Chumki And The Elephants is a perfect read for young readers who are progressing from picture books!
Not that we need an occasion to buy books, but Children’s Day is the perfect time to add some fascinating and wonderful reads to your young readers’ shelves! From magical adventures in forests, to exciting stories about monarchs, and a glimpse into the constitution of India, we have you covered on all fronts.
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A Box of Stories||Ruskin Bond
A Box of Stories: A Collector’s Edition
by Ruskin Bond
A collector’s edition featuring the best of Ruskin Bond’s works
Featuring some of Ruskin Bond’s finest stories, poetry and selected non-fiction pieces, this special collector’s edition brings together the best works of India’s best-loved author for all his fans. Included in the collection are the two treasuries The Room of Many Colours and Uncles, Aunts and Elephants. Featuring illustrations and a rich cast of characters, this box set is a perfect collection for fans of the master storyteller.
The Magic of the Lost Temple||Sudha Murty
The Magic Of The Lost Temple
by Sudha Murty
City girl Nooni is surprised at the pace of life in her grandparents’ village in Karnataka. But she quickly gets used to the gentle routine there and involves herself in a flurry of activities, including papad making, organizing picnics and learning to ride a cycle, with her new-found friends.
Things get exciting when Nooni stumbles upon an ancient fabled stepwell right in the middle of a forest.
Join the intrepid Nooni on an adventure of a lifetime in this much-awaited book by Sudha Murty that is heart-warming, charming and absolutely unputdownable.
Moin and The Monster||Anushka Ravishankar, Anitha Balachandran
Moin and the monster
by Anushka Ravishankar
Illustrated by Anitha Balachandran
One night, in the dim darkness of his room, Moin heard something shuffling and sniffling under his bed …’
It is a monster. Moin has to learn to live with the monster, which does nothing but eat bananas, sing silly songs and try out new hairstyles.
However, keeping the monster a secret from his parents and teachers is a tough task and finally Moin decides that the only thing to do is send the monster back where it came from…
Book of Beasts||M Krishnan
Book of Beasts: An A to Z Rhyming Bestiary
by M Krishnan
The hispid hare is rather rare in fact, outside north-eastern east it lives nowhere and even there it is a most uncommon beast.
With scientific facts, quirky verse and gorgeous illustrations, this is a most unusual alphabet book!
A writer and an artist, M Krishnan was one of India’s best-known naturalists.
10 Indian Monarchs Whose Amazing Stories You May Not Know||Devika Rangachari
10 Indian Monarchs Whose Amazing Stories You May Not Know
by Devika Rangachari
This book tells the stories of ten Indian monarchs who find, at best, passing mention in the history textbooks we read, though their lives were exciting and their achievements considerable:
Ajatashatru
Bindusara
Rudradaman
Pulakeshin II
Jayapida
Didda
Ramapala
Abbakka
Chand Bibi
Ahilyabai Holkar
Historian and award-winning novelist, Devika Rangachari writes absorbing tales of the men and women who shaped lives and kingdoms in their times.
The Curious Case of The Sweet and Spicy Sweetshop||Nandini Nayar
The Curious Case of The Sweet and Spicy Sweetshop
by Nandini Nayar
Making and selling sweets day after day is the life of Vishnudas Mithaiwala, the owner of The Sweet and Spicy Sweetshop. However, when Laddoo appears at his doorstep one night, claiming to be his estranged sister Revati’s son, Vishnu’s life is thrown into confusion. More craziness ensues when Anu turns up, also insisting that she’s Revati’s child! With no idea how to discern the real Mithaiwala, life is full of chaos for Vishnu, as the two children compete to prove their identity.
And Laddoo, worried about his parents, who have suddenly disappeared, is thrown another curveball-he senses a ghostly presence in the house! When a plot to steal the Mithaiwala family’s valuable recipe book is hatched, Laddoo tries to use this new psychic ability to save the day.
Akbar and the Tricky Traitor||Natasha Sharma
Akbar and the Tricky Traitor
by Natasha Sharma
The mighty Mughal emperor Akbar is angry. Someone is leaking secrets of his court to his enemies. What’s worse, his enemies are now laughing at Akbar. Who can help the emperor solve this mystery?
Mysteries you’ll never find in history books
Timmi in Tangles||Shals Mahajan
Timmi in Tangles
by Shals Mahajan
Timmi’s life is full of tangles. Her mother expects her to go to school even though she’s a raja; Idliamma eats up all her idlis and everyone thinks Timmi ate them … and why can’t people understand that if you have a giant for a friend you can lift the roof to let the rain in?
Simply Nanju||Zainab Sulaiman
Simply Nanju
by Zainab Sulaiman
Nothing worries Nanju too much; not the fact that he walks funny or that he’s known as the class copy cat or that the cleverest (and prettiest) girl in class barely knows he’s alive.
But when books start disappearing from the classroom, the needle of suspicion begins to point at Nanju. Aided by his beloved best friend, the fragile but brainy Mahesh, Nanju has to find out who the real thief is. Otherwise, his father might pack him off to Unni Mama’s all-boys Hostel from Hell, and Nanju might lose all that’s dear to him.
Set in a school for children who are differently abled, this funny, fast-paced whodunit will keep you guessing till the very end.
Discover India: The Complete Collection||Sonia Mehta
Discover India: The Complete Collection
by Sonia Mehta
The Discover India series will take you on a grand tour of every single one of our country’s states. Join the adorable Pushka and Mishki and the wise and witty Daadu Dolma as they traverse the length and breadth of India. Meet nawabs in Andhra Pradesh, roam the highways of Haryana, learn the history of Odisha, study the culture of Bihar, explore the snow-laden valleys of Uttarakhand and pick up a new dance in Sikkim.
The Jungle Radio
The Jungle Radio||Devangana Dash
by Devangana Dash
Come, listen to the sweet jungle orchestra, featuring the Woodpecker’s drums, the Hornbill’s trumpet and the Kingfisher’s blues
When curious little Gul hears some strange sounds coming from her radio, she follows the musical clues into . . . an Indian jungle! On her walk, she finds feathered friends who TWEET, TAPP and TALK. There are some who howl and hoot, and others who play the flute. With a KEE here and a KAW there, Gul discovers songs everywhere!
Brought to life by painterly illustrations, The Jungle Radio is a little story about the language of birds-their songs and sounds-with a loud and clear call to listen to the world around us.
We, The Children Of India||Leila Seth
We, The Children Of India
by Leila Seth
Illustrated by Bindia Thapar
Former Chief Justice Leila Seth makes the words of the Preamble to the Constitution understandable to even the youngest reader. What is a democratic republic, why are we secular, what is sovereignty? Believing that it is never too early for young people to learn about the Constitution, she tackles these concepts and explains them in a manner everyone can grasp and enjoy. Accompanied by numerous photographs, captivating and inspiring illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Bindia Thapar, and delightful bits of trivia, We, the Children of India is essential reading for every young citizen.
The Incredible History of India’s Geography
The Incredible History Of India’s Geography||Sanjeev Sanyal
by Sanjeev Sanyal
Could you be related to a blonde Lithuanian?
Did you know that India is the only country that has both lions and tigers?
Who found out how tall Mt Everest is?
If you’ve ever wanted to know the answers to questions like these, this is the book for you. In here you will find various things you never expected, such as the fact that we still greet each other like the Harappans did and that people used to think India was full of one-eyed giants. And, sneakily, you’ll also know more about India’s history and geography by the end of it. Full of quirky pictures and crazy trivia, this book takes you on a fantastic journey through the incredible history of India’s geography.
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Pack your young reader’s day with this varied collection!
In 10 Indian Champions Who are Fighting to Save the Planet, by Bijal Vachharajani and Radha Rangarajan, we are introduced to ten people who are contributing toward the well-being of the planet. A champion is a person who vigorously supports or defends another, or a cause. Those are the sort of champions you will meet in this book—and their cause is to save this planet. Through their work—writing, researching, drawing, challenging, protecting—they make the Earth a better place for all of its denizens.
Let’s get introduced to them!
ROMULUS WHITAKER: THE SNAKE MAN OF INDIA
Attempting to save the planet by championing reptiles:
Romulus Whitaker has been researching and protecting snakes and crocodiles, and busting myths and stereotypes about reptiles.
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PARINEETA DANDEKAR
Attempting to save the planet by keeping conversations about water flowing: Parineeta Dandekar strives to protect rivers and water bodies through her writing and research, and acts as a bridge between policymakers, ecologists, scientists and people.
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ROHAN ARTHUR
Attempting to save the planet by deep diving into coral reef systems: Rohan Arthur studies how climate change affects the denizens of coral reefs, and brings the world’s attention to what is happening under water.
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VIDYA ATHREYA
Attempting to save the planet by researching human- animal conflict: Vidya Athreya studies leopard ecology when they live among humans in agricultural landscapes, and helps citizen initiatives around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai to spread awareness on living with leopards.
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APARAJITA DATTA
Attempting to save the planet by studying and conserving hornbills: In her work in Arunachal Pradesh, Aparajita Datta ensures a safe space for the species and works with indigenous communities.
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JAY MAZOOMDAAR
Attempting to save the planet by reporting on environment and conservation: Jay Mazoomdaar unearthed the disappearance of tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, and other wildlife crimes, and makes sure that wildlife continues to get space in the media.
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MINAL PATHAK
Attempting to save the planet by making the science of climate change accessible to all: Minal Pathak is part of teams that write reports on climate change that tell the world what our future holds for us.
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ROHAN CHAKRAVARTY
Attempting to save the planet by drawing funny comics about the environment: Rohan Chakravarty draws attention to climate change, wildlife threats and the splendours of nature with generous doses of humour and gorgeous art.
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KAVITHA KURUGANTI
Attempting to save the planet by starting conversations about farming and food security: Kavitha Kuruganti helps amplify the voices of farmers to get them better prices and respect for their hard work. She works to ensure safe food
is grown in India, campaigns against genetically modified privatized seeds and champions sustainable farm livelihoods and farmer rights.
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LAXMI KAMBLE AND DHARAVI ROCKS
Attempting to save the planet making music out of waste: Dharavi Rocks creates awareness about waste management and recycling. Working with Laxmi Kamble, the band uses reclaimed plastic in and around Dharavi and encourages those working in recycling waste to speak out and find new career and creative options.
For every problem, there are thousands of eco-champions who work tirelessly to find solutions, protect and conserve, research and document, fight and negotiate to save the last remaining frontiers of the natural world. Read more about them here!
