The vegetables from Ammu’s parents’ cart have disappeared! Who could have stolen them? Amma and Appa are sure the thief must have come in a helicopter. But Ammu, following a trail left by the thief, finds some very strange clues …
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.
ISBN: 9780143451716
Pages: 40
Avg Reading Time: 1 hrs
Age: 0-11
Country of Origin: India
Boodabim
- Author Name:
Alankrita Amaya
- Book Type:
- Description: Boodabim floats in the sky, he swims in the ocean and he simply glows in stripes! Who is he? A cloud? A fish? A tiger? Boodabim can be anything he wants to be! Minimal text and rollicking illustrations make this a most endearing book for little ones.
Ek Jaadui Subah
- Author Name:
Geeta Dharmarajan +1
- Book Type:
- Description: When Jishnu asks for a son from the Sun God, he does not expect to get pregnant himself! Read this book to know how Jishnuís pregnancy begins to change him and his village.
ZAKIR AND HIS TABLA - DHA DHIN NA
- Author Name:
Sandhya Rao
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: The very first words Zakir hears from his famous father, Allarakha, are bols — rhythms played out on tablas! From then on, bols sing and dance in his head, on Amma’s cheeks, on the pots and pans in the kitchen… Sandhya Rao follows these beats, stringing together little vignettes from his life. From a childhood around music to the highs of a performer who took the tabla to the world, this joyous story introduces children to a musical genius, whose busy fingers and flying curls make him the inimitable Zakir Hussain. Illustrator Priya Kuriyan’s fingers add their own magic.
The Banyan Tree
- Author Name:
Neela Subramaniam +11
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: To every Indian, the Banyan tree is very sacred. This collection of 15 stories epitomizes all that the Banyan tree stands for and more. This book aims to instil in children strong, moral values. This is a collection of 15 value based stories.Edited by Navin Menon and illustrated by Saurabh Pandey.
Dancing Bear
- Author Name:
Jung A Park +2
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: Somu the bear is unusual. He can dance! But Somu wants to be free and unchained. Can his friend Altaf understand that? This poignant story is about friendship between a young boy and an animal and the boy’s unique understanding of what the animal truly wants. This story describes the true predicament of dancing bears in India.
IT'S MY COLOUR
- Author Name:
Nancy Raj
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: Whose colour is GREEN? asked the little boy. “It’s mine!” preened the parrot. “It’s mine! It’s mine!” babbled the bitter gourd. Whose colour is RED, YELLOW, BLUE…? The little boy doesn’t stop, and award-winning illustrator Nancy Raj creates for little readers a wild, whimsical world of colours! As bright hues jump and dance across the pages in this little squabble over who owns which colour, it’s the sun who has the last laugh!
Baby Mongoose Goes Looking For a Frog
- Author Name:
Samidha Gunjal
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: Deascription of the book is awaited
Asha's Voice
- Author Name:
Mathangi Subramanian
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: Asha is too small to do many things. But she is big enough to do some things.A story about how you are never too small to have big ideas. Reading Level; 3 for children who are ready to read on their own. Written by Mathangi Subramanian Illustrated by Saheb Ram Tudu
The Mystery Of The Missing Soap
- Author Name:
Geeta Dharmarajan +2
- Book Type:
- Description: The mystery revolves around an evil Asura, Tobakachi, who wishes to conquer India by spreading the attack of the deadly Coronavirus. The story also celebrates children as changemakers and sensitive and intelligent adult leaders. It includes a fun-facts section for curious children, and a DIY section. Translated into five languages – it is available as a free pdf on the Katha website.
Antariya ondu dina
- Author Name:
Prabha Sudhagade
- Book Type:
- Description: ನಿಮಗೆ ಯಾವಾಗಲಾದರೂ ನಿಮ್ಮ ದಿನಚರಿ ಬೇಸರವಾಗಿದೆಯಾ? ಇಲ್ಲೊಬ್ಬಳು ಅಂತರಿ ಎನ್ನುವ ಇರುವೆಗೆ ಕೂಡ ದಿನಚರಿ ಬೇಸರವಾಗಿದೆ. ಆಗ ಅಂತರಿ ಏನು ಸಾಹಸ ಮಾಡಿದಳು ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಕಥೆ ಓದಿ. ಈ ಸುಂದರ ಕಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬರಿ ಅಂತರಿಯ ಸಾಹಸವಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ಅದರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ವಿವಿಧ ಕೀಟಗಳ ಗೂಡುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೂಡ ಪರಿಚಯಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. With its blend of adventure and learning, it’s a perfect read for young minds—and an excellent addition to any school classroom or library!
Paamu Mariyu Kappalu -Bilingual
- Author Name:
Mariam Karim Ahlawat +1
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: The old snake is punished – the frogs will now ride on him. The frogs jump for joy – but they had better watch out! This unusual bilingual retelling of a Panchatantra favourite swings sympathy in favour of the snake. Stunning pictures are based on wooden folk toys from Channapatna in Karnataka, a craft style that came centuries ago from Persia.
My Story, My voice – Sita and Helen
- Author Name:
Shailee
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: Sita and Helen. Two of mythology’s best-known ‘heroines’, famed for the epic wars fought over them in Lanka and Troy. There are endless accounts of how beautiful they were, what happened to them, and how their valiant husbands rescued them. But what do we really know of the women themselves? What did they think? How did they feel? Listen now to their own stories, in their own voices… Shailee imaginatively constructs their hidden sides, filling in the gaps where there was silence before. Rich, detailed illustrations augment text and theme to re-present these stories with an alternative perspective for young people of today.
Online Encounters and more 12 Teenage Stories
- Author Name:
Dipavali Sen +11
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: Komal is shocked to learn that her parents, as youngsters, had exchanged letters before they had met each other. Then why is her mother dead against her seeing a person she had met online? Much against her wishes, Minu is all set to be a child bride, not if the bicycle brigade can help it. The girls set an example in the village for the others to follow. Bullied by Dhruv, Varun's life becomes miserable, so much so, he is ready to leave the school. What does Amit do to help both the boys? Can a shy and reticent boy like Sukhi become the centre of students' unrest and be ready to sacrifice his life? But wait...! There's someone who is keeping him out of harm's way? Who is it? And, is the person safe? These are some of the myriad themes depicted in this bunch of teenage stories.
Warrior Women
- Author Name:
Tara Anand
- Book Type:
- Description: 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.
Cat In The Dark
- Author Name:
Margaret Mahy +1
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: Winner of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Writing and two coveted Carnegie Medals, Margaret Mahy is recognized as one of the worldís most original re-inventors of language. And now, here is her favourite sneaky-peeky cat poem ó for every child. Available in Hindi and Tamil also. Beautifully illustrated by Anvadya Khatri, a student of Sanskriti School, New Delhi. Enjoy this playful book with your young book lover!
Aarima Haau
- Author Name:
Meghaa Gupta
- Book Type:
- Description: 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.
Chhotu and the Big Wind
- Author Name:
Nandini Nayar
- Book Type:
- Description: Playtime on the terrace takes a turn when a strong wind sweeps Chhotu off his feet and carries him up and away to the clouds and the birds! The light and lively illustrations whirl us to the sky and back.
Where Is Goggayya?
- Author Name:
Kollegala Sharma
- Book Type:
- Description: Deascription of the book is awaited
Asha the Auto-Driver
- Author Name:
Aruna Shekar
- Book Type:
- Description: 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!
A Tale of Two Dogs
- Author Name:
Amit Trevedi
- Rating:
- Book Type:
- Description: A story about a poor boy and a rich boy and their pet dogs. It unravels the mystery of the deeds of the two dogs. Profusely illustrated by Arya Praharaj. (Age Group 6-8)
