“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

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

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

“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

This book is fun, and has a lovely message for the holiday season. Jake writes a letter to Santa asking for lots of gifts. When Santa doesn’t answer, Jake sends even more letters, asking for even more things. Santa gets tired of Jake being so greedy. He finally writes back and reminds Jake that it is better to give than to receive - but that’s not the end. After a few more letters, Santa decides to take a break! He goes on holiday and leaves Jake to do his job of delivering g

“Once, A Bird” is a wordless picture book that reveals its narrative in quiet, meaningful snapshots. A lone bird searches for the perfect spot to build a home and settles in a tree beside an apartment block. At first, the people inside remain hidden behind their windows - busy, withdrawn, or simply disconnected. But when they begin to hear the bird’s gentle melodies, something shifts. One by one, they pause, listen, and feel a spark of joy returning. To me, this book celebrat

“Balloon” is an almost-wordless picture book about a little boy who loses his orange balloon. And when little humans lose something that they cherish, they have the illusion of seeing that very same thing everywhere! Our little friend keeps seeing round orange things all over the city that reminds him of the lost balloon. But wait till the end – he does end up with something that actually makes him forget what he lost!

What would happen if you make a call on a banana phone? Who will pick up – and what will you talk about? This is a whimsical picture book that invites the little ones under your care to roll out their canvas of imagination, while adults will get thinking about overcoming the hesitation of picking up the phone and calling a friend they haven’t spoken to in a while. A joyful giggle-filled read-aloud that’s perfect for preschoolers!

This heartfelt picture book follows Mazie, a brave young cancer survivor beginning school with a bald head and only one eye. When she walks into the classroom, curious classmates whisper and imagine wild explanations for her appearance. Their silent stares weigh on Mazie, leaving her feeling alone - until she finds the courage to speak up and invite them to simply ask her about her story. Inspired by the author’s own childhood experience, this book gently guides children to a

A little girl finds a balloon and she’s sure her day just got lucky! But everyone else around her assumes that it must be her birthday. Well, she didn’t lie, but she didn’t correct them either and the simple misunderstanding spirals out of control. The entire group now expects a party with multi-layered cake and frosting and sprinkles. What a humorous book that shows how a harmless fib can blow out of proportion! Highly recommended for K-2!

In an era of ready-to-wear fashion and instant gratification, “A Salwar Kameez for Ambika” is a story that honours the fading tradition of having garments tailor-made. Reading it transported me back to the lanes of my hometown, where my mum and I would take a rickshaw to Sardarji’s stall to buy dress materials. Sardarji would unveil each fabric with theatrical flair, displaying not just his wares but his knowledge of textures and colours, all while intuitively reading the cus

Frank Murphy and Kayla Harren’s “…Like You/Ours” series has always held a special place in my heart. Just when I wondered what more could they possibly add to this beautiful collection, Frank, Carla and Kayla gift us with a new book that will bring every dog lover together in an instant! Anyone who’s ever shared their life with a dog knows they are the most loyal, loving companions - reminding us to stay curious, find joy in life’s simple moments, and care deeply for those we

“Off the Wall” is a lively tribute to the joy of creativity in motion. It all starts with one young girl, a blank wall, and a bucket of chalk. Soon more friends join them for a game of tic-tac-toe, and before long, chalk dust fills the air, hands get smeared with color, and the wall blossoms into something bigger and more beautiful than anyone imagined. In this playful story, Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal come together one more time to celebrate the messy, marvelous ener

A charming and straightforward cat-and-mouse chase unfolds through the galleries of the Met, with each page transforming a work of art into part of the pursuit. Every piece is faithfully reimagined using its original materials and style - from ink paintings and medieval portraits to illuminated manuscripts, Egyptian tablets, and ancient pottery. This is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous book made even more special because of the back matter where Brian Lies takes us through the creat

“Barbed Wire Between Us” is a striking reverso poem that bridges two generations of hardship. In its forward reading, it follows a Japanese American girl confined to an Oklahoma internment camp during World War II. When read backward, the poem uncovers the story of a Latina girl held in the same camp decades later, a victim of the U.S. migrant family separation policy. It is also a reminder of harsh history repeating itself. Book releases on 31 March 2026.

I’m elated to receive the DRC of my mentor and friend Shameer Bismilla’s new book “Zakee and the Quiet Magic of Being You” which hits the shelves on 4 November. A tender story about a quiet child, brought to life by Seyma Arslan’s illustrations, this book is a timely reminder for educators to strike a balance not only in the type of group work assigned in class but also between group work and individual tasks. Beyond the literary and social-emotional merits of the book, this