Ilham has a problem. Her Papa has given her a crisp fifty rupee note for her birthday, and she doesn’t know where to keep it absolutely safe. A pocket would be best, but her new frock doesn’t have one. So she runs to Salma Chachi the tailor to get a pocket stitched — but that leads to another problem. A charming little nugget of a story with the flavour of old Hyderabad captured warmly in the pictures!

Flashing swords, firing guns, charging on horseback, planning strategies and talking peace… These women did it all, and how! Sweeping aside the myth that it takes a man to fight and rule and protect, they led from the front, went fearlessly into battle, fought against injustice, and took care of their people. Some were royalty, some ordinary – but all had remarkable courage and determination. These twelve warriors burst powerfully out through the dynamic energy of the visuals. Brief word portraits and snippets give a peek into their turbulent and fascinating lives.

An interesting story about a boy who loves a squirrel and can't live without her. The entire story centres on the squirrel's activities. The text is brought to life by Partha Sengupta's illustrations. (Age Group 8-10)

A collection of short stories focusing on communal harmony. Includes writers such as Zai Whitaker, Poile Sengupta, Githa Hariharan and Shama Futehally.

Neha Singh's story shows how beautiful the world can be if we ask QUESTIONS! In our adult-centric world, the story shifts our gaze to a child. A girl asks for something basic and essential for the sustenance of the human body- A toilet, so she could relieve herself. Unquestioning and compliant adults, as one turns into after years of disengagement, have woven their routines around the unavailability of the toilets. The book manifests childhood in its essence. Meenal Singh and Erik Egerup have brought this questioning, courageous girl to life in the pages of the book. Age group 6-8 years

It’s the day of the local market in Malli’s village. Cotton candy, peanut balls, stick ice, rose soda – there’s so much for Malli and her friends to try! But some of them don’t have enough money. Then, Malli has an idea… Friendship and sharing are at the heart of this third book in the Malli series, with pictures that take you around a village in Tamil Nadu and into the bustle of a market filled with treats.

Birds and bats. Kites and planes. How often do you explore the incredible world above us. Get ready to spot the odd ones out in this wonderful book of patterns.

जगह बदलते ही चीज़ें किस तरह बदल जाती हैं। डिब्‍बे के भीतर, मुझये सिर्फ चार पाँच इंच दूर हवा गुनगुनी थी। बिस्‍तर था, कम्‍बल था और मैं बाहर सिर्फ पाज़ामा कुर्ता पहने रेल के दरवाज़े से लटका ठण्‍ड से सिहर रहा था। सिर्फ चार इंच की दूरी ने जीवन को मौत की और धकेल दिया था। और ये चार इंच पार करना असंभव था। इस संकलन में नामचीन कवि नरेश सक्‍सेना के जीवन की सच्‍ची और रोमांच से भरी कहानियाँ हैं। इनमें जिजीविषा, साहस और बूझ भी है।

There is a BIG monster that only Montu can see, that shows up whenever he’s angry or sad, and makes him even more angry, even more sad. One day, when he hurts his leg and is stuck at home, he starts to draw. He draws the window, the tree outside and… the monster! But as he keeps drawing, the monster gets smaller and smaller. What’s happening? Pictures and text gently tell this story of a boy who learns to deal with his inner demons, illustrating how art can heal.

Set in the Nilgiris, this book is a beautiful evocation of the life of the Todas—a tribe of the region, and of Moz—a Nilgiri tahr or ibex who is rescued from a trap by Karnoz—a Toda boy. Perfectly complementing Moz’s adventures in the village and outside including those with dholes, leopards and hunters is that of Karnoz’s growing up and the Todas ultimately having to leave the area due to the building of a dam. Sensitive illustrations complement the text.

A superb retelling of another age-old classic folk tale from Arunachal Pradesh. The story of Nyanyi Myete, the legendary celestial queen from the Kojum-Koja civilization, who came out of the Great Deluge to give us the message of harmony in the natural world.

A horse may be able to jump over the moon. Can a cow do it? Hey diddle diddle. About the Hook Book Series In a world where children’s books often feel cut from the same cloth, Hook Books stand out as a vibrant blend of imagination, humour, and heart. Crafted as a bridge between picture books and early chapter books, this series delivers stories that spark joy and wonder, while remaining rooted in age-appropriate learning. Hook Books keep the fun going with: Short, digestible bits of text (perfect for budding readers) Bright colour illustrations that pull kids into the story Themes that speak to the everyday lives of children—plus a sprinkle of whimsy! From fantasy tales to those that touch on more advanced ideas, Hook Books ensure that young readers are always in for a treat, no matter their reading level. Even better, these books take children on journeys through different parts of India, giving them a taste of the rich diversity of our world through local flavours, landscapes, and cultures. Whether the story takes place in bustling cities or quiet villages, Hook Books make every setting feel like home.

A humorous story about a mango tree who is bored standing rooted in one place and wants to see the world and seek adventure. Illustrations by Manjula Padmanabhan.

Cheep-cheep, teep-teep, koo-koo, ghoo-ghoo... Colourful cut-out pictures and a world of sounds in this rhyme adapted from Gujarati makes this a must-have board book for tiny tots!

There was a time when happiness began to leak out of the world. Everything dried up. No colour, no food, no smiles – only hunger, sadness and quarrels. One old woman decided that something had to be done, and she heard from the wind about a magical fish that lived in a green-green lake... Told by a Gond storyteller and illustrated by a Gond artist, this book has the wisdom of a folktale. The old woman striding across the pages, the dry world, the lush valley and jewel-like lake, and the stunning fish with its beautifully patterned body create a world of magic and beauty on every page.

Thom! It lands on Kuttan’s toes. Dheem! He kicks and up it goes. The pages of this book resound with the rhythm of dance as Abu's big red ball bounces in tune with the delightful illustrations. CBSE recommended

Kapila Aunty is teaching the little chameleons how to change colour, one at a time. But Kamini gets excited and goes red, purple, green, yellow . . . she just can’t stop! The flashy-splashy third story in the ever popular series about Bahadur the baby elephant!

Hasina and her family live happily in their rainy village. Until one day the tides turn, and Amma and young Hasina are swept away by fear. They join a river of escaping people. They become refugees in a new country, away from everything that is familiar. A story that explores the meaning of home.Written by Fausto Aarya De Santis and Illustrated by Ogin Nayam

Meet Vikram Agnihotri, India’s first double-arm amputee to get a car driving licence and then become a racing driver. Losing both his upper limbs after a terrible accident when he was only seven, the rest of his life has been all about moving on, buoyed by his parents, with spirit and cheer. This book is that story. Told by Vikram himself in the style of a graphic narrative, it is a book of inspiration for any reader, about a man who is no less a superhero than his own childhood idol, Superman!

Awaited