December is here and so is our new set of books to keep your little ones tucked in. We know that you would want to spend time with them at home reading stories that they’ll thoroughly enjoy. So, we have got just the perfect reads for this winter season that are sure to keep them cozy and comfy!
Scroll and check out these new December books!
Sleepytime Tales with Curious Curie
Sleepytime Tales with Curious Curie || Sonia Mehta
It’s bedtime! Time to settle down, get cosy and read stories-with a touch of knowledge and oodles of fun. Meet some quirky characters who love to know about . . . well everything! Join them as they explore the world, and discover fun things along the way, as you drift off into the Sleepytime world.
Curious Curie is very curious with a scientific bent of mind. She loves to know how things work. Along with her dog Hubble, she has some fantastic adventures. Curie is special because she can talk to plants and animals too. Come along on exciting adventures with the funny duo and discover something fascinating and new about the world around you.
Puffin Classics: Taniya
Taniya || Arupa Patangia Kalita, Meenaxi Barkotoki
. . . it would be hard to find another that could match Taniya.
Did you know that although Taniya was a very good dog, she was also quite cowardly? It was her antics and adorable nature that made everyone around her love her so much. Why! She was even fed hilsa fish with rice almost every day. Did you also know that she would also sing while Arunabh would play the harmonica or that she could detect an original Marie biscuit from the fake? She was quite the bundle of talent, the little Taniya.
Kalita’s only children’s novel to date, Taniya is a timeless classic in Assam. Masterfully translated in English by veteran Assamese translator Meenaxi Borkotoki, the book also celebrates the verdant landscape and the social and cultural milieu of the beautiful region.
Nisha Small: The Knot of Gold
Nisha Small: The Knot of Gold || C.G. Salamander
Nisha Small is the youngest detective in all of Madurai.
So when her friend’s sister’s thaali gets stolen shortly before the wedding, Small is called in to solve the mystery. Can she beat the older moustached detectives to catch the thief?
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 || 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 || 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 || 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 || 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 || 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.
While some kids love to read, there are some who are yet to be introduced to the world of books. And for both kinds, Penguin brings something special- audiobooks!
Bring back the nostalgic habit of storytelling to kids with their own personal storyteller! Before you know it, your child would become a bibliophile and perhaps even a storyteller!
Here are some of our favourite audiobooks for you to choose from:
Grandparents’ Bag of Stories || Sudha Murty
Grandparents’ Bag of Stories
By Sudha Murty
It’s 2020, and children are stuck indoors as the novel coronavirus finds its way into India. A nationwide lockdown is announced, and amidst the growing crisis, Ajja and Ajji welcome their grandchildren and Kamlu Ajji into their house in Shiggaon.
From stitching masks, sharing household chores, preparing food for workers to losing themselves in timeless tales, the lockdown turns into a memorable time for the children as they enter the enchanting world of goddesses, kings, princesses, serpents, magical beanstalks, thieves, kingdoms, and palaces, among others. The myriad stories told by their grandparents become the biggest source of joy, making the children compassionate, worldly-wise and more resilient than ever.
Grandma’s Bag of Stories || Sudha Murty
Grandma’s Bag of Stories
By Sudha Murty
Memories of a grandparent spinning tales around animals and mysterious characters have kept many of us rapt till date. Sudha Murty’s Grandma’s Bag of Stories is simply delightful. The story starts with Anand, Krishna, Raghu and Meena arriving at their grandparents’ house in Shiggaon. Overjoyed Ajji and Ajja (Grandmother and Grandfather in Kannada) get the house ready, while Ajji prepares delicious snacks for children. Finally, times comes when everyone gathers around Ajji, as she opens her big bag of stories. She tells stories of kings and cheats, princesses and onions, monkeys and mice and scorpions and hidden treasures.
This book is ideal for young children and those who are 5+ in age. Stories are accompanied morals. Lucid and simple language of the book make it thoroughly enjoyable.
Unfair || Rasil Ahuja
Unfair by Rasil Ahuja
Auditions are on for the seventh-grade annual play. Lina sets her heart and sights on the lead role, but the drama teacher seems to think Lina isn’t the right shade for the part. All Lina wants is a fair chance to try out for the role.
Meher finds math far more interesting, and less dramatic, than Macbeth. When her extroverted BFF Lina suddenly becomes distraught and withdrawn, Meher tries to figure out what she may have done wrong. Will their friendship fade, or will Meher find a solution to this problem?
Nava Durga || Nalini Ramachandran
Nava Durga by Nalini Ramachandran
Durga, as this powerful warrior-goddess is known,
Has nine special forms – each one unique, not just a clone.
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini and Chandraghanta, Kushmanda and Skandamata,
Katyayani and Kaalratri,
Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri…
They are the Nava Durga,
Worshipped during Navaratri,
The festival of nine nights and nine days
That’s celebrated across India and the world in myriad ways
To praise the goddesses and their glory.
This is their story!
7 dream jobs and how to find them || Chandan Deshmukh
7 Dream Jobs and How to Find Them
By Chandan Deshmukh
On an average, 11 hours a day for the rest of your life, you’ll either be working or traveling to your workplace. Now imagine being stuck in the wrong job! A study says that 80 percent of Indians are unhappy with their jobs. Then how can we find a job that makes us happy? Is there a formula we can use to find our dream job?
Go on a journey with national best-selling author Chandan Deshmukh as he guides you through the various opportunities, challenges, and turning points of any career and most of all, finding a job that makes you happy.
Amma, Take Me to The Golden Temple || Bhakti Mathur
Amma, Take Me to The Golden Temple
by Bhakti Mathur
Join Amma and her children as they travel to the famous Golden Temple in Amritsar. Take a tour through the wonderful sights, sounds, and history of Darbar Sahib. Hear stories about the Sikh gurus. Visit Darshani Deori and Akal Takht.
Savour a drink from the sacred waters at Har Ki Pauri and the langar from the world’s biggest kitchen! Learn Guru Nanak’s eternal message of equality, love, and service. Told through interesting stories with captivating illustrations, this new series introduces listeners to the history of different faiths and their associated monuments.
Amma, Take me to Shirdi || Bhakti Mathur
Amma, Take Me to Shirdi
By Bhakti Mathur
Join Amma and her boys as they travel to Shirdi, home to one of India’s most celebrated saints – Sai Baba. Hear the story of one of the most loved and revered mystics. Walk around the neem tree that gave him shelter. Relish a few moments in Dwarka Mai, the dilapidated mosque that became his home. Visit Dhuni Mai, the ever-burning fire Sai Baba had lit, and receive his blessings.
Let Amma take you on a journey to witness the life of this unique saint who taught by example, compassion, and kindness, and who, for a century, has been drawing millions of adoring devotees every year. Told through interesting stories with captivating illustrations, this book brings alive an important place of worship in an engaging and non-preachy way.
Which book are you going to make your kids listen to next?
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.
