Thatha has asked Shyam to keep an eye on Passepartout, a rescued tortoise. But now Passepartout has disappeared. Where can Shyam and Kannamma find him? 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 dog suddenly appears on a street one day and decides to stay. So now he needs to be given a name. But he is too scrawny to be Laddoo, not furry enough to be Fluffy, and too much of a scaredy-dog to be Rambo... What do they call this dog? A warm and funny vignette of a typical Indian street with assorted people – and a friendly stray!

A dog suddenly appears on a street one day and decides to stay. So now he needs to be given a name. But he is too scrawny to be Laddoo, not furry enough to be Fluffy, and too much of a scaredy-dog to be Rambo... What do they call this dog? A warm and funny vignette of a typical Indian street with assorted people – and a friendly stray!

Ismat the shoemaker decides to buy his family special gifts for Eid. He is persuaded by the shopkeeper to buy a pair of trousers for himself. However, there is only one last pair and it's too long. But long trousers can always be shortened, can't they? Eid arrives, and with it comes a shock and a surprise. This crisp adaptation of a delightful Turkish tale has been affectionately told and illustrated, replete with cultural resonances.

When he takes his sheep and goats to the mountains, Gulla is always careful – of bears and leopards, the terrible Banbudhiya, and the men with guns. But one day, rushing to save a little hangul from wild dogs, he goes deep into the forest. This story from Kashmir, where the hangul is a protected animal, carries many shades of the region – the quiet life of the villagers, their close link with nature, and the underlying disquiet they learn to live with. This rugged, rocky and less familiar part of the beautiful state is evoked by the illustrations with a soft charm.

Little Siri slips away from home one day and goes around asking whomsoever she meets to smile. Find out why in the pages of this bright and cheerful book that evokes a world of colour and things to discover. CBSE & NCERT recommended

The endearing story of Rupa, the elephant who wants to look beautiful. It makes a delightful reading when her friend Chinchi, the bird resolves to make Rupa bright and beautiful. Will Chinchi be able to make Rupa beautiful?

This beautyfully illustrated picture book is about a boy named Mana and his friend Appu, the Elephant. This story is about the fun and adventure which they did together in the jungle.

Small noses catch small colds. Big noses catch big colds. Gajapati Kulapati the elephant has a big nose and catches a great, big, mighty cold! And what happens when he sneezes – Aaaaachoooo….? With repetitive sounds and words that roll rhythmically through the pages, this bestselling series about the adorable elephant puts the zing back into storytelling and reading aloud. Bright, zestful pictures and dynamic visual text echo the lilt, making these big, happy books of fun.

Lined up on a street are noisy motorbikes, honking cars, crowded buses, impatient autos... In their midst sits a queenly Maharani! At the heart of this funny little vignette is a cool-as-a-cucumber cow, an all too familiar character of an Indian streetscape. Nancy Raj’s full-of-life pictures bustle with detail and drama, capturing the bovine and the boisterous as everyone tries to unseat her highness. 2018: The Hindu Young World-Goodbooks Award – Best Picture Book 2018: Honor Book, South Asia Book Award

A curious crow comes across the palace of the rich and elegant king of birds, Pavo Cristatus the peacock. Soon after, Pavo has a visitor — a cousin, Cavo Pristatus, from Africa who looks like a peacock, but is not quite one. Who is he? This cheerful tongue-in cheek story with flamboyant pictures combines the themes of the weak outwitting the strong and shining in borrowed feathers!

Soori loves to draw and paint. But where he lives now with his mother is a rundown neighbourhood, unclean, unsafe and completely colourless! He wants to move away, but knows they can’t. He wishes that colours would rain down and brighten the buildings. A few days later, Soori finds himself amidst painters, paint cans and brushes! What’s going on? Painterly pictures echo real textures in a story about trying to bring colour and hope into a community.

Asha’s first trip in her colourful auto every morning is to the flower market, where she buys a big bag of jasmine buds. Follow her through the week and through the city, as she picks up and drops off passengers at the railway station, the beach, the cricket stadium… stringing and selling jasmine all the way. Vibrant pictures liven up the route and offer snapshots of a city – Chennai!

Gadagada gudugudu... the marble rolls from one child's hand to another in exchange each time for something exciting. The story moves in a straightforward childlike way as, one after the other, it reintroduces simple street games endlessly popular with children. Trundling alongside is the rhythmic refrain that fascinatingly echoes the circular movement of the marble.

After his big-big sneeze, Gajapati Kulapati is back with a SPLASH! Like the very popular first book, sounds, rhythm, and repetition make this too a perfect read aloud for little ones.

Every day, Basava goes to the forest to collect firewood for his mother. But one day it grows dark and he can't find his way home. That is when Basava sees the glowing dots of fire that light up the forest... A gentle story with a touch of magic and dramatic illustrations.

Grace had many questions. Why did she have to sit outside her classroom? Why did she have to wear pants instead of a dress? Why could transgender persons not study engineering? She wondered why science and technology education was not accepting of differences in people. And she decided to find answers in the courtroom. This is the story of Grace Banu, who is working towards making science and technology education more accessible for all. Written by Sayantan Datta, Illustrated by Priya Dali and Tamil Translation by Karithik Siva. Henkel Anand India Private Limited has supported the development of this book. This Book is Library of Congress Literacy Award Winner 2020 (Special Response award)

Shanmugam the gentle lion does three things in a day. He eats, he sleeps, and he snores — khorhrhrh..... phshhew..... khorhrhrh..... phshhew..... One day, a tawny, brawny, nasty new lion comes to take over the jungle. The animals are afraid. They go to their king, Shanmugam — but he is, of course, sleeping! The roary-snory second story in the ever popular series about Bahadur the baby elephant!

Raw, green, sour and crunchy. Or ripe, golden, plump and soft. Summer time is mango time, a time children wait for – blazing sun, sticky mango juice ringing their mouths and dripping down their fingers. The sweet, simple story and luscious pictures evoke delicious flavours of hot days, warm friendships and the smell of mango in the air.

Bahadur, the little elephant has forgotten how to sleep. Worried and very, very sleepy, he goes to his animal friends for help. But they all sleep in their own different ways – elephants don't sleep like that! What will Bahadur do? The snoozy-woozy first story in the ever popular series about Bahadur the baby elephant! Available in Mundari. For more details, please contact us.