Over 100 of our titles in English and Hindi are part of the list compiled by the Central Board of Secondary Education, for recommended reading in schools. Selected by an expert panel, these books for Classes I-XII are regularly requisitioned for schools across the country.
Affirmative writings on peace, in a variety of styles, to help children understand and cope with the world around them. Contributors include Paul Zacharia, Ambai, Asokamitran and Safdar Hashmi.
Bookworm Advaita hates boarding school at Welham's in Dehradun — until she realises that her favourite author, Ruskin Bond, lives just half an hour away!
Running away from unkind relatives, Arif journeys alone all the way from Mumbai to the Andamans... where he encounters the misunderstood Jarawa tribals, threatened with ‘development'. A story rich with adventure, humour and concern for the environment.
A fantasy novel to challenge all: the adventures of an auto with a mind of her own and dreams that she dares to follow — in this world, and worlds within and far beyond. 2011: Children's Honorary Shortlist, Economist-Crossword Book Award
One summer holiday brings Murli to Mango Tree Lane — an elusive outsider into the neighbourhood of grouchy Colonel Sinha, tight-fisted Rice Aunty and the snoopy Sharma Aunty - Menon Aunty duo.
An engaging journey into the mind of a 12-year-old. With everyday dilemmas to questions of gender stereotyping and popular culture, a must-read coming of age book. 2015: Bal Sahitya Puraskar, Sahitya Akademi
Based on the award-winning documentary Tanko Bole Chhe (The Stitches Speak), this gorgeously visual book looks at the evolution of narrative art through stitches.
Through letters exchanged between ten-year-old Dorji, who lives in Ura, and Toto, a boy in Bengaluru, Savita Rao records her impressions of life in a village in central Bhutan.
Who was this man who so mesmerised the world, born a century and a half ago but whose words and wisdom are still so current, so compelling? Films, plays, books, media images and news stories bring him regularly into our homes. His birthday, 2 October, is the International Day for Non-violence. But how do we relate this familiar yet distant icon to a child...
As a child, K.G. Subramanyan was fascinated by temple murals that looked like a beautiful pattern of colours from a distance, but up close became a panel of many stories. He grew up to become a storyteller-artist.
The Maldharis and the lions have coexisted peacefully for many years. Informative text and evocative photographs capture the many facets of life in the Gir forest of Gujarat.
Muri the eagle takes Gola the yak on a trip to the sea, the forest, the desert and so on, so Gola can find a home. Striking visuals reinforce the different landscapes.
On Monday Mani is a monkey, on Tuesday he's a crocodile, on Wednesday… A days-of-the-week-book that gives a real ride to the imagination!
A little girl discovers a seed. She puts it in a pot — and then begins the thrill of watching it grow. The wonder of emerging new life comes through minimal text and charming pictures. 2008: Silver Medal, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, USA
Amma makes dosas but they keep disappearing. Children have the last laugh as they watch the pictures ‘move'.
What will Malli take for her uncle and his family who have come to visit? A story about the joy of simple surprises. Exuberant illustrations carry through the feel of rural Tamil Nadu. 2002: Amazing Toy of the Year Award, BabyZone.com 2002: Children’s Book Sense 76 Top Ten Pick, USA
The sun is hurt when the farmer shouts at it, and goes away. Only a rooster's trick will bring it back. Luminous illustrations bring alive this folktale of the Ao people of Nagaland.
Gagan and Chikki knock talkative Avneet aunty's mobile phone out of her hand. Ooops! A modern story with elementary text, interesting sounds and whacky pictures.
Norbu's father buys him a pair of yellow shoes that a monkey mistakes for bananas! A story set in Sikkim with refreshingly different pictures.
A merry donkey sang through the night in the cucumber field, but the cucumbers couldn't bear it. Earthy illustrations in the patachitra style from Odisha energise this droll new retelling.
The smart lion thinks he can use the fox to bring him food every day. But the fox is smarter! A familiar fable with an environmental angle. The energetic illustrations draw from Gond art.
Yak yak yak... the tortoise loves to talk. What will it take to shut him up? The clipped narrative style is offset by detailed illustrations in the style of kalamkari textiles from Andhra Pradesh.
Little Lai-Lai is curious but stays close to his mother. The world of wild elephants is explored through stunning photographs and informative text, with lovable elephant cartoons.
Striking pictures by first time photographers capture everything as vast as the sky and as tiny as a worm with equal delight and fresh, new perspectives.
