Snehalata Datar is the editor of Datatime calendar, and a writer in Marathi and English.
Thambi takes a piece of paper, tears it into a square, pastes two sticks on it, ties a string and then flies it high in the sky. It's a kite! This beginner reader is part of the Thumb Thumb Books series, created around the common thumbprint and featuring Thumb Thumb Thangi and Thumb Thumb Thambi. Short sentences, bold type and vibrant visuals make entry...
One day, Thangi gets into the mood and begins to sing. Immediately the cats mewl, the dogs howl and the donkeys bray. But when the peacocks join in, what does Thangi do? This beginner reader is part of the Thumb Thumb Books series, created around the common thumbprint and featuring Thumb Thumb Thangi and Thumb Thumb Thambi. Short sentences, bold type and...
Mannu, Chandu, Anna and Akka are fed up of Hutoxi the horse — she snorts and scolds and spoils their fun. And then suddenly one day, Hutoxi disappears. Where has she gone? Will she never come back? The bossy-horsy fifth story in the ever popular series about Bahadur the baby elephant!
One naughty little cat with an orange tail and pointy ears is lost! Minnie goes looking for her Pooni, and steps onto a busy city street filled with people to talk to and things to look at. Writer-artist-cartoonist Manjula Padmanabhan’s humour-filled pictures with delightful details invite us to join in the search – for the cat who is always just one step...
The tiger, a popular character in Korean art and folktales, is a villain in this origin tale which has illustrations inspired by kamishibai, Japanese paper theatre. Having gobbled up the rice cake-seller and all her rice cakes, the tiger chases her two small children. But they escape. And the tiger? Although in the traditional ending the tiger too dies,...
Ali did not know how to really see until he looked closely at a spider's web through his father's camera... The nature of relationships in the human and natural world are subtly presented through warm illustrations and revealing photographs.
The sage Vyasa enlists Ganesha's help to write the Mahabharata — at a price! This is the well-known story about the writing down of the long and multi-layered epic that is the Mahabharata. Presented with lively humour and great affection, it shows the very recognisable human dilemmas faced by Vyasa and Ganesha. Delightful pictures enable a new generation...
This is the story of Beboo, a baby sloth bear who lives in the jungle. Many other bears are not so lucky. They are caught by humans and made to dance on the streets for entertainment. This is also their story. With telling photographs, the plight of the bears is communicated with empathy and sensitivity.
What happens when two children find themselves wandering the night in a forest? It is a world of giant trees, sudden sounds and unseen shadows. The arresting black and white illustrations convey the author's own curiosity and wonder at the natural world in this almost wordless picture drama.
When Paytu the pig goes on a sugarcane walk with Amma the elephant and Hutoxi the horse, she asks Anna and Akka to look after her babies. But the two elephant teenagers get busy in a game of coconut-football... and the piglets disappear!The muddy-buddy fourth story in the ever popular series about Bahadur the baby elephant!
When living happily together becomes difficult, the creatures of the world decide that the largest group among them should rule the world. In the race for numbers, it looks as though one shy creature is going to make the difference. Based loosely on an Australian Aboriginal tale and with elements of Indian and Aboriginal art, this story demonstrates a...
Based on a real friendship between the author’s niece and a tree, this heartwarming story reflects on the true relationship between human beings and nature. Rich colours set off against stark white give the illustrations a dramatic quality.
Every morning, Ajji's village is decorated with rangolis. Also called muggu, kolam, alpona... these are dots, lines, flower designs. Found on the ground, on the wall, everywhere. Food for ants and fun for birds, dogs and children! The illustrations carry the exuberance of these earthy patterns.
Kapila Aunty is teaching the little chameleons how to change colour, one at a time. But Kamini gets excited and goes red, purple, green, yellow . . . she just can’t stop! The flashy-splashy third story in the ever popular series about Bahadur the baby elephant!
The sari Mother wears every day is sometimes a train, sometimes a river, or a swing, or a hiding place… Children have a way of seeing things differently! The pictures too break away from conventional depictions of both saris and children, combining photographs and acrylic in dramatic, original ways, with spare text that weaves and winds. 2007: Outstanding...
Ismat the shoemaker decides to buy his family special gifts for Eid. He is persuaded by the shopkeeper to buy a pair of trousers for himself. However, there is only one last pair and it's too long. But long trousers can always be shortened, can't they? Eid arrives, and with it comes a shock and a surprise. This crisp adaptation of a delightful Turkish...
Lai-Lai the baby elephant is curious and playful but, like all little children, stays close to his mother. The world of elephants is explored through stunning photographs by the award-winning wildlife filmmaker, drawing the child into the forest. The informative text has lovable elephant cartoons alongside. CBSE recommended
A farmer shouts at the sun because it is too hot to work in the field. The sun gets upset, goes away and refuses to return. Finally, a rooster tricks the sun to shine again – every day from then on. This engaging tale is based on a folktale of the Ao tribe in Nagaland. The artist-animator's illustrations are luminous and dynamic, based on his animation...
Thom! It lands on Kuttan’s toes. Dheem! He kicks and up it goes. The pages of this book resound with the rhythm of dance as Abu's big red ball bounces in tune with the delightful illustrations. CBSE recommended
A little girl discovers a seed one day. She puts it in a pot – and then begins the thrill of watching it grow. Will it be tall? Will it have fruit? Or flowers? The wonder and excitement of emerging new life comes through in this book. CBSE recommended Selected for the 2006 White Ravens Catalogue 2008: Silver Medal, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, USA
A beginner bilingual book that very simply and visually introduces fundamental concepts. Starting at either end, the circles of identities, similarities and differences narrow down until the child finally finds himself or herself at the centre of the book.
Radha draws a circle – but it keeps running away! This is a book that draws beginner readers into the imaginative play of a child's mind. The pictures are enticingly wild and evocative and children will love looking for the circle in the pictures.
Norbu's father buys him a pair of yellow shoes. But then a monkey comes along, mistakes the shoes for bananas, and whisks them away! This simple bilingual book with strong, stylised illustrations introduces beginner readers to sights typical to Sikkim. CBSE recommended
Malli's uncle and his family from the city have come to her village. She wants to take some gifts for them but has only one rupee. However, as she sets off on her way, her little basket slowly fills up… This story is about the joy of simple surprises. The exuberant illustrations carry the feel of rural Tamil Nadu with bright colours and strong lines.
