'impressed . . .'
The books arrived safely today. I must tell you that they are absolutely lovely. I am very impressed with the quality and also the artwork in the books.
Jackie Schimdtke, Oklahoma, USA
3 February, 2005

'Thanks for the happy moments'
Your books have been my standard birthday gifts to all my daughter's friends and cousins this year. The feedback I've received from the parents has been very positive.
     I've of course made sure that Tulika books are accessible by my daughter (4.5 years) in the lowest book shelf so that she can have the pleasure of just browsing even if I don't have the time at that moment to read. To me, the treasured moments of my daughter's childhood are the times we spend together pouring over an aesthetic book — mostly Tulika's! 
     Thanks for the happy moments.
Savita Narayan, Pune, India
23 November, 2004

'prime examples'
Chennai-based publishers Tulika have produced a number of fabulously illustrated story books in their 'Under the Banyan' series, which are delightful to read aloud to a child, or for children to read themselves. They . . . have also provided a place for Indian illustrators to display their talents. Books like Mahasweta Devi's 'The Why-Why Girl', illustrated by Kanyika Kini, and Indira Mukherjee's 'Who Will Be Ningthou?' illustrated by A V Ilango, are prime examples of how a storybook is not simply a question of bunging a few drawings into otherwise plain text, but the imaginative combination of words and pictures such that the sum is very much more than its parts.
Anita Roy, Commissioning Editor, Young Zubaan 
from her article in Tehelka - The People's Paper, 16 October, 2004 

'seductive . . . especially lovely to hold and feel'
The Tulika books are very seductive and beckon loudly from the shop shelves with their vivid colours and imaginative illustrations. They are especially lovely to hold and feel, as the texture of the paper is so clean, wholesome and smart. The books are always well laid out and even the black and white ones are attractive. Apart from the aesthetic appeal, the choice of subjects, the bilingual approach, and the strong links to a 'sense' of India – contemporary, urban, rural and folk – make a very strong case for me to always consider a Tulika title with seriousness!
Jagruti Gala, teacher, Navrachna School, Vadodara, India
6 October, 2004

'all that is refined in our Indian culture'
I was lucky to chance on a copy of the Tulika 2004 Diary at Landmark the day before yesterday. It is absolutely beautiful. Allow me to compliment on the great effort by your team. The diary exemplifies taste, grace and all that is refined in our Indian culture. 
Lata Ganapathy, Chennai, India
21 November, 2003

'quality . . . style . . . aesthetics'
I have been a great admirer of Tulika for many years now. The quality and style of writing as well as the aesthetics of design and layout are quite outstanding . . . Tulika is like the Shyam Benegal of Publishing — choosy but classy!
Ramendra Kumar, Rourkela, India
17 November, 2003

'now we will never forget how to read'
The enclosed (letters are) a testimony to the joy your books have given to the kids in school in Sirikot, Tehri Garhwal. We discussed the contents of these letters but the final wording is their own – they have been inspired by your book illustrations. The school staff has been so impressed with the children's artwork that I have been promised 'art' will be taken more seriously. . . . 'Ekki Dokki' was an instant success with class 2 and 3.
Minni Kumria, Soma Books
12 November, 2003

[Minnie was involved with a literacy programme in Uttaranchal, in which she used Tulika books for primary-level children. She forwarded several heartwarming letters written to us by the children, of which one is given below, translated from Hindi.]

Dear Radhika Didi
You sent us such lovely books. The pictures were so beautiful. We got to read nice stories in those books. We read the books everyday. As soon as we come to class, we start reading. Now we will never forget you or how to read. Thank you so much.
Ashish Bisht
Class 4, Garhwal Vikas Kendra Academy, Srikot
7 November, 2003

'books for our library'
We (Aksharnandan School, Pune) have selected a number of Tulika books for our library . . . Do keep us updated about your coming publications. Tulika publications are beautifully brought out and carefully chosen. It is joy to see quality children's books through Tulika. Keep it up!
Amrita Patwardhan, Pune, India
2nd August, 2002

'great for reading out and for shared reading'
We at Woodstock are very keen on making Language teaching interactive. The book (Sunu Sunu Ghongha) is visually appealing to children. The simple language and the use of just a few lines per page make it a great resource both for reading out  to children and for shared reading by the children in class. Apart from this is the high quality of paper and printing which one rarely gets to see in Hindi books . . .
Aparna Das, Mussoorie, India
30th July, 2002

'innovative and creative'
I was introduced to Tulika Diaries last year when I received one (Endings and Beginnings – 2000) as a gift from a friend. Since then I have been using them "religiously". I especially appreciate the illustrations in this year's Seasons 2001 diary. I would like to congratulate you all for making a product as innovative and creative as this. It transforms a diary to "not just a diary", by capturing the :Indianness" that makes the country so special.
Puja Jawahar, Mumbai
8 March, 2001

'sincerest congratulations'
Thank you for the two Tulika diaries. What a lot of hard work has obviously gone into making them! And they are beautifully designed and produced. My sincerest congratulations.
Girish Karnad, playwright and author, Bangalore 
18 November, 1999

'tribute to culture'
This letter is just a simple way of felicitating the Publishers on their very own Tulika Diary (of Indian Craft) . . . it was a billion dollar gift!! . . .it is very innovative of you to bring out such a breathtaking tribute to our culture! Each day of the year will remind its proud owner of a beautiful work of art and craft that reflects the Indian spirit . . .my sincere congratulations!
Sabitha Mary Xacharias, Eramallor, India
29th January, 1999

'fascinating information'
I was especially delighted to receive your diary 'The Tulika Diary of Days, Dates and Festivals', though it is so full of fascinating information that I am going to keep it as a book. It would seem a sin to spoil it with my own appointments!
Anthony C Dweck, London, UK
7th January, 1999

'labour of love'
While I've never in my life before been tempted to write a fan letter – seeing your work today prompts me to do so! . . .For the last 5 years or more, I have been sourcing children's books on Indian themes, promoting and gifting them to friends, developing book lists, and holding impassioned discussions with anyone who will listen to me regarding this terrible vacuum in availability of quality children's books published in India. So much so, that I've been encouraging friends with a remote interest in the subject to start such a business. Imagine my surprise on seeing the samples of your titles being presented by 'The Banyan Tree'. My appreciation for your philosophy, execution, even web site design – is immense. This is a labour of love as much as a potentially successful business – and I very much hope to see you succeed. To see my personal #1 hobby being elaborated in this way is a pleasure . . . Congratulations on your excellent work, which I believe has the potential to profoundly influence the direction of book publishing in India, and the enrichment of children everywhere.
Sumana Reddy, California, USA
29th November, 1998