A Hoysala Adventure – Nitin Kushalappa 

Travel back in time with this thrilling mystery set amidst the stunning Hoysala temples of Karnataka. When a young duo stumbles upon an ancient secret, history and adventure collide in a fast-paced tale rooted in India’s rich architectural past. 

India in Triangles: The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India – Shruthi Rao & Meera Iyer 

How was India mapped centuries ago—without satellites? Join the team of explorers who used triangles to chart the country in this fun, accessible introduction to one of the biggest land surveys in history. A perfect blend of math, science, and history for curious minds. 

The World of Butterfingers: The Halloween Adventure and Other Stories – Khyrunnisa A. 

Get ready for a hilarious ride with Amar, aka Butterfingers, and his gang as they take on Halloween mayhem and unexpected twists. Packed with wit, pranks, and comic chaos, these stories are sure to leave young readers in splits! 

Left-out Paru – Bijal Vachharajani 

Paru always feels like she doesn’t quite belong. But when her classmates start noticing her unique talents, everything begins to change. A heartwarming story about self-worth, difference, and the quiet power of being yourself. 

The Freezies – Farrukh Dhondy 

Meet the Freezies—cool, quirky characters from the freezer with big personalities and bigger imaginations! A delightful story bursting with humour, this book turns an everyday appliance into a world of chilly adventures and fun. 

My First Animal Stories with Ruskin Bond – Ruskin Bond 

Step into the enchanting forests and valleys of India with Ruskin Bond’s gentle animal tales. Perfect for young readers, this collection brings together warmth, wonder, and a deep love for nature in every page. 

My First Family Stories with Ruskin Bond – Ruskin Bond 

From mischievous cousins to wise old grandfathers, Ruskin Bond’s stories celebrate the little joys of family life. With charm and simplicity, these timeless tales open a window into childhood full of love, laughter, and learning. 

Dealing with Feelings: My Storybook Collection Boxset 3 – Sonia Mehta 

Help your child navigate big emotions with this thoughtful collection of stories on anger, courage, kindness, and more. Each book gently guides young readers through everyday feelings, encouraging empathy, resilience, and emotional awareness. 

Summer is here, and with it comes a wave of exciting new children’s books that promise thrill, magic, mystery—and maybe even a squirrel or two. Whether your young reader loves spine-chilling adventures, heartfelt stories, or whimsical quests, this month’s releases have something for every curious mind. Here are four delightful picks to spark imaginations and fill bookshelves this May.

Joyrides: Carnival of Creeps (A Fearless Four Paranormal Thriller) by Neil D’Silva

The fearless four—Riz, Anvita, Tiana, and Palash—are back, and just when they think they’ve earned a relaxing break after their last terrifying mission, trouble finds them again. This time, their adventure takes them to Funmania, an amusement park unlike any other. Between the screams of a mysterious witch and a disappearing rollercoaster rider, the island of Bongo hides spine-tingling secrets that threaten to trap them forever. Fast-paced, spooky, and packed with twists, this paranormal thriller will keep readers hooked till the final loop of the Big Loopy.

Life’s Magic Moments by Ruskin Bond

As he steps into his 91st year, beloved author Ruskin Bond shares a treasury of reflections, memories, and wisdom drawn from his remarkable life. With his signature warmth and wit, Bond invites readers to pause and appreciate the little joys of nature, childhood, friendship, and dreams. Perfect for quiet evenings or reflective mornings, Life’s Magic Moments is a gentle reminder of what truly matters—and how the magic of life is often found in the simplest things.

Vincent Can’t Go (hOle Book) by Mariyam Fatima

Vincent is used to hearing one thing from his mum: Vincent can’t go. Can’t go where? Anywhere fun, that’s for sure. But when his best friend’s birthday bash is on the line, Vincent hatches a clever plan. This quirky, heartwarming story about determination, friendship, and growing up will strike a chord with every child who’s ever been told “no”—and still dared to dream of a “yes.”

An Absence of Squirrels

Katli lives on the quiet island of Thutta, where life is slow and imagination is faster. To escape the monotony, she creates seven versions of herself—each more daring than the last. But when a mysterious cat leads her down an unexpected path, Katli stumbles into a web of secrets, strange sightings, and a mystery involving missing animals (yes, including squirrels). Enchanting, imaginative, and layered with meaning, this fantasy adventure is perfect for readers who love unexpected journeys and unlikely heroes.

Ready, Set, Read!

From haunted islands to heartfelt life lessons, these books are packed with everything we love about children’s stories—imagination, wonder, and a little bit of magic. Whether you’re looking for a spooky sleepover read or a thoughtful gift, these May releases deserve a spot on your shelf.

Which one will your child pick up first?

Books have an incredible way of opening doors to exciting experiences—whether it’s uncovering lost histories, exploring diverse cultures, or finding comfort in relatable stories. Whether you are a young reader eager for adventure, a history buff, or someone seeking heartwarming tales about self-acceptance, these six books are a must-read. From exploring hidden underwater realms to discovering the lives of India’s royal rulers, from learning about the richness of folk music to embracing personal growth, each book on this list offers something special. Let’s dive into why these stories deserve a place on your shelf! 

Submerged Worlds and Other Amazing Stories by Vaishali Shroff 

The job of any river is to flow and as it flows, it nurtures everything around it, everything within it. But when human interference affects this natural flow, it brings floods and droughts, displacement and suffering in its wake. From melting glaciers to urban flooding, sand mining to dammed rivers, river rights to river interlinking projects, dead rivers to river revival, this book is an attempt to understand India’s rivers through their stories and the narratives of those whose lives are interlaced with the life of rivers. Deeply steeped in the historical, spiritual, cultural, political, ecological, and economic fabric of our society, these stories are highly relevant in today’s world where the climate crisis is a water crisis. Compelling readers to listen to the river’s gentle yet urgent voice, it’s a must read for all non-fiction lovers and students keen on understanding life in the subcontinent we call home. 

Fascinating Maharajas of India by Sreelata Menon 

Long, long ago, the vast Indian subcontinent was alive with powerful kingdoms and adventurous maharajas. They expanded with fervour and ruled with aplomb. They lived extravagant lives yet protected their turfs. They introduced reforms and uplifted their people. And despite their many quirks, they laid the foundation for the progress and development of modern India. 

• How did the Travancore maharajas promote education? 

• When did the Mysore maharajas begin celebrating Dasara with such pomp? 

• How unique was the Junagadh nawab’s love for his dogs? 

Discover the answers to these questions and more in this gorgeously illustrated book that chronicles twenty-five such exciting Indian kingdoms—from their origin to when they became princely states under the British to finally merging with the Indian Union at the time of Independence and becoming the backbone of a brand-new nation. 

The Demon of Dandi by Lavanya Karthik 

All the world’s eyes are on this tiny village by the Arabian Sea, where Mahatma Gandhi will soon break the Salt Law to defy British rule. Dinu would rather be home in Surat, reading his beloved Sherlock Holmes books. Instead, he finds himself wading through mud, battling angry goats and eating burnt food as the youngest of the student volunteers helping prepare Dandi for Bapu’s arrival. When a man is found dead and rumours of an angry demon grip the village, Dinu finds himself drawn into the mystery, even as he grapples with dilemmas of his own. But as Dinu and his friends race against time to find the killer, the demon strikes again 

10 Indian Traditions of Folk Music by Mamta Nainy 

This book explores ten traditions of folk music that have long preserved some of the many voices and diverse cultures across India. From the evocative ballads of Kashmir to the soulful rhythms of Bengal, each tradition is shaped by the region where it originated and the challenges and joys of the singers. These traditions are: 

The Bidesia of Bihar
The Gathas and Kathas of Rajasthan
The Ladishah Ballads of Kashmir
The Nizami Qawwali of Dilli
The Pandavani of Chhattisgarh
The Kabir Vaani of Kutch
The Janapadas of Karnataka
The Lavani of Maharashtra
The Li of the Chakhesang Nagas 

The Bhatiyali of Bengal Mamta Nainy explores the origins of these musical forms, and their evolution in the face of modernity, highlighting their power as a means of collective expression. 

Everything Changes and That’s Okay by Carol Dodd 

Change is all around, but it can be overwhelming! Explore how changeexists everywhere in a way that is natural, and even beautiful, in this vibrantly illustrated book with fun rhyming couplets, for children ages 3 to 7.

The moon is full, but then it’s gone,
chased away by the dawn.
Stars that shine all through the night
disappear in morning’s light.

Everything changes, night to day.
Everything changes, and that’s OK.

From an apple seed growing into a brilliant tree to a child watching a family member grow old, this book offers a thoughtful look at why change doesn’t always have to be negative and can instead be observed with appreciation. It poetically presents a story that prompts kids to recognize and adapt to the change they see in their daily lives.

This beautiful exploration of impermanence is accompanied by vibrant illustrations that explore every corner of the world, from rolling fields in Tibet to the cozy, fireplace-lit living room of a family member’s home. The illustrations remind children that everything changes no matter where you are, no matter who you are, and that’s all right.

I Am Quiet by Andie Powers 

Emile is not shy—he is quiet. 

On the outside, Emile may seem reserved, but inside, his imagination is bursting with adventure. While others see a quiet boy who doesn’t raise his hand in class, Emile sees himself as a high-seas adventurer, a fearless explorer, and a friend to wild beasts.
Through heartfelt storytelling and stunning illustrations, I Am Quiet celebrates the power of introversion, self-acceptance, and the richness of an imaginative mind. This beautifully crafted picture book encourages young readers to embrace who they are and reminds us all that being quiet doesn’t mean being small—it means thinking, dreaming, and seeing the world in a unique way.
Perfect for: 

• Children ages 4+ who love thoughtful, introspective stories 

• Parents and educators looking for books on self-acceptance and social-emotional learning 

• Young introverts who want to see themselves represented in stories