There are so many choices out there especially when it comes to fantastic Indian children’s literature, that it’s sometimes difficult to decide. However, there are some books that we feel are great starter books. If your child hasn’t yet gotten into the habit of reading or if you just want to try something new – the books featured below will be a huge help.
We’ve curated children’s books that cater to every age group and interest – we’ve also kept in mind that even mummies and daddies love reading children’s books, so we hope you’ll enjoy this list as much as we have. Ready to get tucked into the sounds of animals and dreams of protagonists?
Let’s begin!
1. Gajapati Kulapati Kalabaloosh! By Ashok Rajagopalan
This charming story is about Gajapati an elephant who has a nasty cold and boy does everyone in the village know it! That’s what being stuck in the pouring rain can do. Time to break out your big sounds and actions because this book calls for animated reading that gets everyone involved. Once you pick up this first book, you’ll be itching to read book two and three in the series.
Ages 2+
Read Gajapati Kulapati Kalabaloosh HERE
2. Rooster Raga by Natasha Sharma
Mornings with Ruru are never dull. This is a great book to get your little one pepped up in the morning and ready for the day. In this story, we take a stroll with funky Ruru the rooster who is on his journey to find his morning call. He meets all his animal friends and tries out their unique sounds before finally finding his own. Warm up those limbs and your voice as you and your little one will need a whole lot of actions and sounds to make this book come alive.
Ages 3+
Read Rooster Raga HERE
3. Junior Kumbhakarna by Arundhati Venkatesh
If your child loves to eat and sleep and nothing in the world can wake them up, then this next book will surely be your go-to bedtime story. It’s about Kumbhakarna who falls into a deep, deep sleep and no matter what the kingdom does to wake him up, he sleeps like a baby. They even try making him delicious smelling laddus but nothing works. Sounds familiar?
Ages 4+
Read Junior Kumbhakarna HERE
4. Unhappy Moon by Saras
Stories so often revolve around the lively sun, but our sad little moon gets overlooked. That’s exactly what this book is about. The moon tries his very best to get noticed even raising the oceans to get some reaction from the people below. However, nothing changes – poor moon! Don’t worry though, the lovely seas from the southernmost tip of India, show him just how unique he is. The soothing visuals in this book will have even the most stubborn of droopy eyelids drift off to sleep. A must-have for bedtime.
Ages 5+
Read Unhappy Moon HERE
5. The Shy Supergirl by Shabnam Minwalla
Superheroes come in many shapes and sizes and in this case, in the form of Nina, a shy girl with a dimple on her left cheek. Her true power is being able to see into people’s heart to tell if they are nasty or nice. Something she will need when one of her neighbour’s priceless Silver Mexican Owls goes missing. Will she be able to decipher what happened and could it be one of her nasty cousins who is behind it? Your child is going to be engrossed!
Ages 6+
Read The Shy Supergirl HERE
6. The Fearless Boy by Amar Chitra Katha
It’s never too early to start falling in love with graphic novels. Especially if your child is more of a visual learner, they will thoroughly enjoy this book. The Fearless Boy is about Samkicca a young boy who has learned the teachings of Buddha. Throughout the story, these teachings come in handy even saving him for terror! We bet you’ll have a hard time putting this nail-biting story down.
Ages 7+
Read The Fearless Boy HERE
7. Against All Odds by Ramendra Kumar
Your football loving child will surely connect with this next book. Karthik loves football but what happens when the coach of his new school refuses to let him play because of his disability? Against all Odds is about learning to overcome obstacles through a backdrop of growing up and pursuing your passions no matter what. A great tale that will have you and your child wanting to turn the next page.
Ages 8+
Read Against All Odds HERE
8. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Bloom
Image Courtesy Scholastic
What childhood is complete without a little Judy Bloom? A story about siblings – older brother Peter is always getting overshadowed by his terror of a little brother, Fudge, making him feel like a fourth grade nothing. Peter tries to put up with his antics but when Fudge takes Dribbles, Peter’s turtle away – things get heated! It’s a great read for any child who is having a hard time adjusting to their younger siblings.
Ages 9+
9. Harry Potter and the Philosophers’s Stone by J.K Rowling
Image courtesy Bloomsbury Publishing
If your child hasn’t already, it’s time to unleash the tale of Harry Potter. What can be said about these books that hasn’t been said already? We highly suggest starting with the books before allowing the movies, since they are such amazing pieces of literature. Apart from that, get ready to lose your child in these books for hours, maybe even days!
Ages 10+
Do we really have to select just one book to read today?! All these amazing titles above have so much to offer and we’re sure your little ones will love them as much as we do. If there is a book you feel should be on this list, then let us know in the comments below!
Happy Reading!
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View Comments (1)
Pls try n get Rachna chhabria's interview. Just read her mythological series in young world n her pb with scholastic n her earlier books. She is a wonderful writer.