Shalini Jaikumar is a creative writer in Kannada who has also been doing translation for the last ten years. She has translated several titles into Kannada for Tulika.
A big box, her grandparents' walking sticks, Amma's long red dupatta… Neelu has everything she needs for her big, strong fort. But – oh no – she trips and falls, and the box becomes flat! Whacky pictures take us on a colourful ride into a child's imagination. 2018: Best of Indian Children's Writing: Contemporary
Ducks, tigers, pangolins, penguins… This book introduces young readers to a variety of animals and the different ways in which they carry their young. Bold illustrations set against textured backgrounds portray the parent-child bond in a charming manner.
Pranav wants Maya to come to his house. "Why?" Maya wants to know. Bright pictures form a cheery backdrop to a narrative that sees a house through a child's eyes, and makes a good introduction to colours.
Papa tries to wake up Annika, but all Annika says is "No!" What does Papa do now? Endearing pictures highlight the father-daughter bond in a familiar morning scene in many homes.
When the lioness goes off to hunt, her cubs go off to play. But is the jungle safe for them? Inspired by the endangered Asiatic lion found in the Gir forest, Gujarat, this book follows the playful adventures of three curious lion cubs while their mother is away. Minimal text and lively illustrations with an edge of drama skilfully introduce young readers...
What did Kabir find and where did it go? Will he find it again? Graphic visuals add an interactive dimension to this lost-and-found story. Pictures match clues in the text offering many everyday objects for children to identify as they wander with Kabir through the pages.
One day, Balu finds a basket. What does he do with it? Bright, clean pictures create a cheerful backdrop for this fruit-filled book. 2018: Best of Indian Children's Writing: Contemporary
Drip, drip, drip! It's raining… What happens when seven animals have to share one small umbrella? Cheery pictures liven up this old folktale about sharing, retold with a twist.
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. CBSE recommended
Striking pictures by first time photographers capture everything as vast as the sky and as tiny as a worm with equal delight and fresh perspectives – a bird flying high in the sky, a spider's web, sunlight on a river... The accompanying text echoes the children’s sense of wonder at the patterns and colours. Young readers can stick their own photos at the...
One day, Jojo the dog wakes up to find purple spots on his body. Where did they come from? Jojo sets off on a search... This charming tale with a twist is also a wonderful introduction to colours.
It can fly and do magic. It is a horse and also a pencil. What is it? Bright, endearing illustrations add to the charm of this perfect read-together book with grandparents!
Words rollick and frolic in Kanna's head, yet he hardly speaks. One day, he is with his family at the cave temples when the lights go off. Everyone is frightened, except Kanna. Light or no light, it makes no difference because he can't see anyway. And as he confidently leads the way out, he finds himself talking… Words tumble out to unleash the playful...
When Fakruddin worries, he gets frantic. And Frantic Fakru is now worried because his fridge is spoilt, the day is hot, and he is desperate for cold water. What does he do? A light-hearted story with a smart idea and cheerful watercolour illustrations which bring alive the ambience of Fakru's neighbourhood in Bhopal.
10, 9, 8, 7 – count the children as they come leaping, riding, zooming in on cycles, scooters, rickshas… A racy counting book with a different mode of transport on every spread! Children with completely different personalities brighten up the streets. NCERT recommended
Little Tsomo eats a big, steaming hot momo. And then? A mouthwatering story in which the flavour-filled savoury comes appetisingly alive! Watercolour pencil illustrations softened with subtle brushstrokes conjure up scenes sure to tickle the taste buds, satisfy hunger pangs and stir up a song.
What will you be when you grow up? To this common question, Appu has the most uncommon answers. If he can't be just ‘me', then he can be anything – or many things! With illustrations that have the lively touch of an animator, this book will open little minds to endless possibilities for the future. NCERT recommended
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. Dramatic pictures flow into each other to give a sense of movement, of the idea of change. CBSE recommended
Karimuga is a rakshasa, 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... Sowmya Rajendran inverts our ideas about beauty, happiness and rakshasas with humour. Niveditha's quirky pictures add to it with little and big rakshasas romping through the pages in...
Who should get more rotis — Ookamma or Ookaiah? A folktale about a quarrelling old couple is woven into another story about the lives of children in a village, growing up, playing, going to a government school, watching adults squabble, feeling hunger, understanding friendship and, most importantly, sitting under a neem tree and listening to stories from...
Mr Moochvaala and his mechanical monsters are going to cut down Bargad chawl, and its residents are worried. They are in danger of losing their homes – their nooks and crannies, shelters and perches in the big banyan tree. It is left to Ali the monkey to find a way out. He swings, jumps and leaps into action, and comes up with a monkey trick that gives a...
Pintoo walks home from school one evening, all alone. He is not afraid until the sun begins to set rapidly. Suddenly, he feels himself being lifted up, up, up... by a giant! Now, what? This spin on a common fairytale figure effortlessly captures the spirit of a little boy's vivid imagination and curious nature. Warm watercolour tones bring to life the...
Gitti the rock is very old. After a long, long journey that started from the boiling hot centre of the earth, he now sits quietly on a mountain, watching the sun rise and set. What is his story? This is one of five First Look Science books, perfect for a child’s first introduction to basic concepts about the world around because they were conceived...
Super-seed Beeji is off on a super-ride! Zooming over icy lands and hot deserts, swooshing down a river… she's a tough little seed who loves adventure but is happy to be back on soft soil. A Beeji-eye view of different landforms. This is one of five First Look Science books, perfect for a child’s first introduction to basic concepts about the world around...
