When rock bees build a bee colony in Gowri's balcony, her mother asks Mr Ramaiah, a bee expert, for help. As Gowri learns about bees and the environment, the reader is drawn into a contemplative journey of discovery.
Happiness has begun to leak out of the world… One old woman decides something has to be done, and the wind tells her to go to a certain fish in a green-green lake. A magical book from a Gond storyteller and a Gond artist.
A spirited young girl begins to engage with words and pictures in this sensitively told story. Using a collage of colours, textures and drawings, the illustrations evoke Nabiya's everyday world and the world of the imagination.
There are many chickens, ants, pots, snails… that are different. The smart verse says how many — but which, and how? Spotting odd ones out goes to the next merry level where it's fun to find what's different.
An imaginative look at the life of scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose through the eyes of his friend, the plant Mimosa Pudica. The comic book format packs in a punch, with dashes of humour and doses of quick information.
Bijoy is from a small village in Assam close to the Brahmaputra. His mother is a silk weaver. One day, Bijoy goes on his first visit to the golden silk village, Sualkuchi.
Stories and fascinating facts take the reader on a double-decker ride across 15 states of India. They emerge distinct and different, like pieces of a jigsaw that create a magnificent whole — India!
In her second diary, Mayil is perceptibly older, and wiser to a lot more things that make up teens. But some things don't change, and Mayil will still not be quiet about anything — from sexual harrassment to caste distinctions (even in Harry Potter!).
Taking a long step back in history, this explores how the world's first artists may have tried their hand on the very first canvases — the walls of rocks and caves. The story of art unfolds with photos of ancient paintings at the Bhimbetka Caves, with creative reproductions of rock art.
Boodabim floats in the sky, he swims in the ocean and he simply glows in stripes! Who is he? Minimal text and rollicking illustrations make this a most endearing book for little ones.
One morning, a mother and child go in search of the sun. Will they find it? The simple story is based on a traditional painting by a master Warli artist, with illustrations extracted from the original spectacular canvas.
The stars give way to the sun, the clouds to rain, the egg to the little bird… Things change. This truth is brought to children in a charmingly simple way.
In his second book, Vinod Eshwer plays with monsoon clouds. The message is simple: rainwater is free, pure and precious — save it. The perfect companion to Let's Plant Trees.
Karimuga is a pleasant rakshasa. He is a beautiful rakshasa too. But that makes all other rakshasas jealous of him. Karimuga can't bear to see them unhappy... A story that inverts ideas of beauty with a light touch, while the pictures add to the fun.
Little Paploo has many questions about the world and everything else… why this, why that, why not, why now. And then he makes an important discovery.
A sweet, simple story with luscious pictures that evoke delicious flavours of hot days, warm friendships and the smell of mango in the air. 2013: Highly Commended, South Asia Books Awards, USA
In this sequel to the popular Birdywood Buzz, the jungle is all agog because the Games are on! Who flies fastest? Who dives deepest? While the best are tested, the rest have loads of fun.
Bulbuli lives in a bamboo house in a bamboo grove, busy in her bamboo world... Told in a rhythmic, cumulative style, this evocative story spotlights bamboo to make a green statement simply and charmingly.
Storytellers Pappuram and Kojaram have their own stories about why Ganesha is worshipped first. They open their kaavads, the storytelling boxes, and begin — and finally realise that the stories may be different, but they're essentially still the same! A comment on the nature of myths.
Mr Moochhvaala and his mechanical monsters are going to cut down Bargad chawl and the banyan tree, and its residents are worried. Now it's left to Ali, the monkey, to swing into action.
The kite tree changes. Its leaves fall, they grow back, flowers appear... But that's not all. Text and pictures celebrate the seasons and the special surprises they spring!
Who should get more rottis — Ookamma or Ookaiah? The coming together of two stories, one real and one folk, gives the telling a tender yet amusing twist. Well known artist A.V. Ilango's strong, flowing lines recreate the earthy ambience of rural Andhra. 2018: Best of Indian Children's Writing: Contemporary
The monsoon has failed in Yellaiah's village. One day, Yella finds a kite. It is a wish-fulfilling kite, says Rajamma the fruit-seller. What will Yella wish for? A story of children's dreams and fears with pictures that evoke a rural landscape.
A majestic elephant protects the forest from timber traders, tree cutters and poachers. One day, the Forest Department receives orders to hunt the elephant down. An absorbing read based on true events, it highlights the complex cause of conservation. 2018: Best of Indian Children's Writing: Contemporary
