If you liked “Worm and Caterpillar are Friends,” then the next book in the collection, “Worm and Butterfly are Friends Always” is absolutely your cup of tea! The illustrations are impossibly cute, the story is warm and winning, and the backmatter on butterfly migration and worm estivation is wonderfully simple yet packed with just the right amount of information. Bonus for teachers: the very first page offers clear teaching points on speech bubbles, thought bubbles, and panel

This book took my breath away and left me quietly holding its feelings for a long time. In parallel stories, we watch a mother and son leave for a better day, while a father and daughter leave for a better life. Almost every line is echoed, but the weight of those words deepens, and the worries grow heavier, taking on an entirely new meaning in the father and daughter’s journey. That quiet shift in magnitude is deeply moving. Layered with symbolism, the fish that appears on e

Pat Zietlow Miller and Annie Cron’s “One Can Be” is a celebration of quiet leadership. With a measured use of words and parallel storytelling through illustrations, this book gently shows that time alone is normal and necessary. While the kidlit world views the book as a tribute to introverts and quiet strength, I read it as an ode to the single child. Contrary to popular belief, “one” needs quiet too, but also misses friends now and then. “One” unites, cares, and brings peop

Nikhil is an Indian American boy who absolutely does not like math. Throughout the school year, he pours out his feelings by writing letters to Math itself. To him, math is so dreadful it literally gives him a tummy ache. As you might expect, his perspective shifts over time as he begins to notice that drawing, counting, and measuring are all part of math, and that everyone from artists to astronauts uses it. What truly stands out, though, is the book’s format. The story unfo

What does “home” really mean to an immigrant child? “Home, Home” by Sibu T.P. gently explores this deeply personal and universal question. Ajesh is excited to spend the holidays at home, until his parents announce they are going “back home” to Kerala, India. Suddenly, Ajesh is faced with the uncomfortable feeling of being different. He struggles to connect with a place his parents speak of with familiarity and longing. How can somewhere be “home” if it doesn’t feel like his?

Minimoni knows exactly what it means to love her dog and a big plate of spaghetti. But when adults start talking about love, she feels lost. They describe it in ways that don’t quite add up - something you can’t see or hold, both strong and delicate, light as air yet able to grow. Curious and determined, Minimoni sets out to untangle the mystery and, after some thoughtful reflection, discovers her own understanding of love. This book sparks meaningful conversations about how

This quiet, thoughtful picture book is told from the point of view of an unnamed Iranian child learning to weave a rug with his grandmother. The soft watercolour illustrations, rich in colour and emotion, beautifully capture their time together. As they weave the new rug, the boy is eager and proud, often saying their new rug will be “perfect” or “the best ever.” Each time, his grandmother gently guides him to see things differently. She explains that every rug has value, tha

One afternoon, while Ma is busy working, Moli and Baba decide it’s time for some fun. They pull out Ma’s saris, and Moli happily drapes them on Baba, who becomes her very willing model. What struck me most about this book is how refreshingly avant-garde it feels, even when compared to titles from big international publishing powerhouses. The illustrations aren’t mere embellishments; they actively deepen the story and elevate every moment. I especially love how the narrative m

This tender picture book holds your heart from the very first page. Kao Kalia Yang shares her childhood experience with selective mutism after her family migrated to the United States, when the world suddenly felt too big and her voice too small. At home, she spoke Hmong with ease, but at school her words turned into a heavy rock in her throat. She wanted to speak, to be seen, but her voice would not come out. What makes this story ache is that no one - neither her parents no

If you are reading books on human migration or the Partition of India, Nina Sabnani’s latest book, “Sheela’s Two Homes”, is one you should not ignore. This is the story of Nina’s mother, Sheela, set in 1947 in Sukkur, Sind. Here’s what makes this book stand out: - Voice: The story is narrated from the perspective of little Sheela, yet the tone remains refreshingly matter-of-fact. There are no unnecessary emotional embellishments to appeal to urban readers. It reminded me of @

When my parents downsized from their humongous house with its porch, garden, and garage to a small two-bedroom apartment a few years ago, I remember watching the process with quiet curiosity. At the time, I marvelled at their efficiency, their calm acceptance of change, their ability to organise a lifetime into neat boxes. Only later did I truly grasp what it must have cost them to step away from a home that had quietly witnessed decades of living. “Downsizing” and “letting g

“Looks like you’re from North India. So Hindi must be your mother tongue?” It’s a question I’ve heard countless times - lightly spoken, yet heavy with assumption. We love neat labels: North Indian, South Indian, as though a country as diverse as India could be folded into tidy halves. But India stretches far beyond those borders - westward and eastward, into the southwest, the northeast, and all the spaces beyond and in between. Each region hums with its own languages, storie

In a world increasingly framed by “us” and “them”, have you ever paused to wonder what “they” really are like – those who are not from here? When society draws rigid lines between “us” and “immigrants”, Kobi Yamada’s forthcoming book “Others” offers a timely and necessary meditation on what if anything, truly separates one from the other. In his signature contemplative style, Kobi Yamada introduces protagonists who speculate about people on the other side of the wall, people

If you are in charge of little humans who are losing their little teeth and are anticipating a visit from the tooth fairy, here’s a book by Mamta Nainy that you should not miss. As the title suggests, the story is about Lila and her loose tooth. What is special, however, is that the story sheds light on alternative beliefs associated with losing a tooth. The “tooth fairy” is a recent phenomenon in India, brought about by globalization. Indigenous wisdom dictated burying the l

Muthu’s has a pet and it isn’t a dog or a cat or a hamster. It is Goondi, a rooster. But the rooster does not belong to Muthu. Goondi belongs to the Selvi Paati. One day, grandpa tells Muthu that the village head has decided to buy Goondi from Selvi Paati for his son’s wedding feast. Imagine Muthu’s horror thinking of Goondi ending up on someone’s plate! What would Muthu do next? Would Goondi be saved? Read and find out! The story is set in Kulathumedu, a small fishing villag

This is not your typical graphic novel – it is a narrative non-fiction how-to book in the format of a graphic novel. This book moves on two engaging tracks at once: it follows a group of middle schoolers as they come together to form a cartoonists’ club, while also serving as a hands-on guide for young readers interested in making zines, graphic novels, and visual stories of their own. Makayla and Howard begin as friends who swap sketches and story ideas, often at the expense

Young students are often captivated by shipwrecks, hidden treasures, and daring journeys into the unknown. When you pair that curiosity with lyrical lines and detailed, well-researched illustrations, you get a book that’s sure to draw a crowd. “Shipwreck” will appeal to children from grade 1 - who will be intrigued by the mystery of each wreck - all the way to grade 5, who can also appreciate the brief, informative notes that accompany every poem. Highly recommend this book!

A beautiful blend of verse and earth science, this book pairs poetic form with striking illustrations to introduce young readers to 19 landforms and the layers of our planet. Its mix of concrete poetry and geology makes it accessible across grades 1 to 5, offering teachers and students a flexible, engaging resource that works on many levels. A great book to add to your collection!

Who would have thought a picture book about dust could be so breathtaking? This beautiful nonfiction story follows tiny specks of dust as they rise from the deserts of Africa and travel across the ocean. Some of the dust lands in the sea, nourishing microscopic organisms that become food for larger marine animals. Other dust drifts toward the Amazon rainforest, delivering essential minerals that help the forest stay healthy and vibrant. I had no idea desert dust played such a

Charlie struggles with anxiety - so much so that it sometimes makes him physically sick. When a school camping trip comes up, his worries about being away from home overwhelm him, and he ends up missing the event. Then his mom brings home Ralph, a rescue dog who is just as nervous and unsure as Charlie. Their first days together are rocky, but everything shifts when Ralph secretly trails Charlie to school, causing a commotion that unexpectedly opens the door to an agility cla

Bursting with bright, playful artwork, this story follows Lena the chicken, who is absolutely convinced she’s a dinosaur. She’s bold, noisy, and determined to show the rest of the flock how to be brave and confident - but no one gets it. Though discouraged, Lena refuses to give up. One night, when trouble suddenly arrives, the other chickens panic… but Lena? Read and find out! It’s an adorable tale with a powerful reminder to stay true to who you are, even when others don’t q

If you are teaching body systems or if you just need a laugh-out-loud book packed with facts, “I’m Trying to Love Farts” is a winner. Thoroughly entertaining yet full of information including what causes flatulence, why is it smelly, and animals who do/don’t fart – this book will be your class favourite in no time!

“I Got You: A Brother’s Promise,” by Derrick Barnes and Shamar Knight-Justice, paints a tender portrait of brotherhood. Told through the eyes of the middle brother, the story traces Anthony and Rasheed’s bond as it stretches across the seasons of their childhood, from their earliest days together to the edge of their tween years. Their connection shines through in small acts of kindness, steady support, and the spirited fun that defines their time growing up side by side. At

It’s unusual to find a children’s book that can teach so much without dulling its sense of wonder, “Poems for Every Season” does exactly that - an easy standout for any poetry lesson. Each month introduces a new poetic form (that include haiku, tanka, acrostic, limerick, rondel and more), and later sections break these styles down with clarity and warmth, offering younger readers an inviting entry point and giving older readers a pleasant refresher. And before any of that eve