The vegetables from Ammu’s parents’ cart have disappeared! Who could have stolen them? Amma and Appa are sure the thief must have come in a helicopter. But Ammu, following a trail left by the thief, finds some very strange clues …
About the Hook Book Series
In a world where children’s books often feel cut from the same cloth, Hook Books stand out as a vibrant blend of imagination, humour, and heart. Crafted as a bridge between picture books and early chapter books, this series delivers stories that spark joy and wonder, while remaining rooted in age-appropriate learning.
Hook Books keep the fun going with:
- Short, digestible bits of text (perfect for budding readers)
- Bright colour illustrations that pull kids into the story
- Themes that speak to the everyday lives of children—plus a sprinkle of whimsy!
From fantasy tales to those that touch on more advanced ideas, Hook Books ensure that young readers are always in for a treat, no matter their reading level. Even better, these books take children on journeys through different parts of India, giving them a taste of the rich diversity of our world through local flavours, landscapes, and cultures. Whether the story takes place in bustling cities or quiet villages, Hook Books make every setting feel like home.
In Poondy, fruits are always falling on people’s heads-from the jackfruit, coconut and toddy trees-causing many injuries. So all the Poondizens wear fruit-helmets invented by the legendary Falwala. Bim loves Poondy, with its falling fruits, its Wise Man and its barber-detective.
Then one day, Miss Chitty, Bim’s mother, who drives a coffee-coloured taxi, decides to move away from Poondy. Bim’s last two weeks in his home town are full of strange and exciting adventures-from a bat attack to a bike theft-that can only happen here!
Arjun Talwar’s debut novel is a mad and hilarious romp through a town filled with eccentric people. It is brought to vivid life by Shilpa Ranade’s beautiful illustrations.
From the author of Grandma’s Bag of Stories
It’s 2020 and children are stuck indoors as the novel coronavirus finds its way into India. A nationwide lockdown is announced and amidst the growing crisis, Ajja and Ajji welcome their grandchildren and Kamlu Ajji into their house in Shiggaon.
From stitching masks, sharing household chores, preparing food for workers to losing themselves in timeless tales, the lockdown turns into a memorable time for the children as they enter the enchanting world of goddesses, kings, princesses, serpents, magical beanstalks, thieves, kingdoms and palaces, among others. The myriad stories told by their grandparents become the biggest source of joy, making the children compassionate, worldly-wise and more resilient than ever.
Following the trail of the best-selling Grandma’s Bag of Stories, India’s favourite author Sudha Murty brings to you this collection of immortal tales that she fondly created during the lockdown period for readers to seek comfort and find the magic in sharing and caring for others. Wonderfully woven in her inimitable style, this book is unputdownable and perfect for every child’s bookshelf!
A loving daughter, a caring mother, an affectionate grandmother a confident globetrotter and finally prime minister, Indira slipped into each role with ease.’
The story of India’s first woman prime minister is no ordinary story. It is the story of a girl for whom sacrifice and loss came early. For whom growing up meant seeing her father drift in and out of jail and a mother in and out of hospital. Wearing khadi and organizing her own band of troops. Combating loneliness and giving up the things she loved for a bigger cause.
With the freedom struggle playing out in the background Indira Gandhi’s life was inextricably linked to the politics and destiny of her country. In this compelling biography, Sreelata Menon vividly recreates the life and times of a young girl who goes on to become one of the most powerful and charismatic leaders of the world. Filled with little-known facts about Indira Gandhi’s life this book is a fascinating read that brings to light the different facets of her personality.
Religion is not in books, not in forms, not in sects, not in nation; religion is in the human heart…It is love alone that can conquer hatred…’- Swami Vivekananda A genius, a visionary, a writer, a dreamer, a teacher and an inspiration for generations of Indians—this was Swami Vivekananda. Born into a family of lawyers, Narendranath Dutta was an exceptionally intelligent child, a natural leader among his playmates, who impressed his teachers with his scholarship. The spirituality of his mentor Shri Ramakrishna and his own study of philosophy and logic influenced Narendranath to join the monastic order. Vivekananda was the spokesperson for India at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago where the magic of his words held his audience in thrall. He also instilled among the Indian youth self-confidence and the hope of regeneration. Devika Rangachari’s account of the life and times of Swami Vivekananda is both inspiring and absorbing. It is the remarkable story of a spiritual leader who worked against overwhelming odds to realize his vision of a free India.
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The A to Z Detective Agency by Ashwin and Zubeida,
Where every mystery comes to rest.
There’s a bad moon rising and in its wake comes murder, mystery, and mayhem. This anthology includes Satyajit Ray, Payal Dhar, Anshumani Ruddra, Sonja Chandrachud, Poile Sengupta-some of India’s best storytellers-and tales guaranteed to keep you awake through the night. A writer whose murder stories begin to come true; the polite young man who steals far more than money; the half-werewolf, half-witch who murders music in the land of the dead; an apartment where doorbells ring at night for no apparent reason; and the case of the missing Bollywood actress are some of the hair-raising stories that are impossible to put down. Ranging from murder to the supernatural to the all-too chillingly real, Bad Moon Rising will make you lock your doors and shut all the windows.
‘This could be some new kind of animal. Something new to our forest. Wouldn’t that be exciting?’
When Lori, a curious and wide-eyed slender loris, spies a bewildering cat-like figure in the fading light of the evening, she instantly becomes obsessed with finding out what it is. So she teams up with her friend Don Wrongo, the crafty racket-tailed drongo, to look for the elusive animal.
But they can hardly get to the bottom of this all by themselves. And along their tireless search for the ever-teasing shadow, they recruit the wiles of M. Owli, the non-musical delights of a mob of mynahs, the gossipy banter of Mina Mouse, the faithful love of Kau’a, the wisdom of Viji the all-knowing turtle, the fury of Baba Brown, the-the-Oh, for the love of gordonflies! Who’s not in this book?
Packed with eccentric creatures and heart-stopping turns, Lori’s great big romp is a little look at friendship and self-discovery-and the rush of adventure.
Alia may be turning eighteen, but (epic birthday parties aside) age is just a number to her now. Now that she’s been Changed, she knows no hunger, needs no sleep and has no human limitations. But it’s now that she’s trying desperately to hold on to her humanity. And the people she loves. When a haunting darkness returns to the family villa she is forced to confront old ghosts, chilling secrets and ultimately-herself. Everything has a price, after all and by striking a deal with the devil, you risk giving up the one thing you were never meant to lose. This poignant and unputdownable sequel to I See You reveals that of all the demons we face, the most terrifying are the ones we own.
