Children are imaginative and curious, which is what makes them so different from adults who almost always lead a mundane life. But what happens when a child’s brain is over-imaginative and borderline paranoid?Meet Avi, the protagonist of Help! My Aai Wants to Eat Me, who is convinced that is Aai is keen on gobbling him up, after watching a documentary that fills his mind with wild ideas. Read an excerpt from the book to find out what happened, below!
“All in all, not Avi’s favourite day.
Until it was time for environmental science a.k.a. EVS—a subject Avi LOVED.
Avi’s favourite subject, EVS
He loved it as much as figs love wasps (so much so that they let the wasp pollinate the fruit and die inside them—‘till death do us part’, just like in the movies that Baba and the Maushis watched and loved).
He loved it more than birdwatchers loved the forest owlet, which had been believed to be extinct for 113 years until it was rediscovered right here in Maharashtra—the same state that Avi lived in!
Avi loved it more than . . . well, it was his favourite subject. Unlike HJ who loved maths and art and always got 24 out of 25 marks in them. And today was EVS Film Day! Which meant they all got to watch a wildlife film instead of studying. Avi settled down next to HJ, his knees aching from having stood for thirty-four minutes outside the classroom. ‘Arre, how will I play cricket today?’
‘Yeah?’ asked HJ. ‘That bad?’ ‘Shhh . . .’ Kshama hissed like a snake and glared at the two boys. ‘Do you want to spend another class outside?’
Avi bit back a retort—Kshama was the class monitor and could easily report him and then he would have to miss EVS Film Day. He had already seen films about climate change, about a tigress called Machli, and one about ghost crabs!
Miss Mankad
Miss Mankad, who taught EVS, walked into class. Every time Avi looked at his favourite teacher, he was reminded of a meerkat—an upright spine, broad head and large, bright eyes. Except, unlike meerkats, she was six feet and one inch tall. Clearly, she did a great job of teaching, given that Avi knew more facts about the natural world than his herd of classmates put together.
Miss Mankad shut off all the lights and Avi and Kshama closed all the curtains, turning the room into a dark den, perfect for watching a film. Even more perfect, it was about bears! Avi watched open-mouthed as jamun-like bear cubs wrestled on the screen, a mama sloth bear battled with a tiger (and won) while defending her cubs, and then . . .
SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENED.
SOMETHING TERRIBLE. HORRIBLE.
DISGUSTING. EEUCHY.
Even worse than the day Avi was having. Another mama bear ate up her second-born cub.
A terrified Avi
At first, Avi thought she was licking the bear cub. But no. She just gobbled the cub up. Slurp. The baby was gone. Back into her tummy. Where he had lived for so long. Avi’s eyes widened. He gripped his pencil box tightly. What just happened? Did she . . . Really? No, that could NOT have happened. He squinted in the dark to see his classmates’ expressions. He couldn’t make out much, but did Kshama also look horrified? Or was that just her usual expression?”
Don’t our little readers feel that it was only a few days ago that they were celebrating the New Year and now they are welcoming the month of February? Well, we definitely relate with them.
We are here to give our young friends company with some of our best books that are sure to take them for a fun-filled, adventurous, and simply amazing ride. With stories about historical sites, interesting people, brilliant artist, struggles for independence and long, eventful journeys will provide kids a wholesome reading experience.
So, let’s dive into the list of our latest releases!
When Blackbirds Fly
When Blackbirds Fly || Hannah Lalhlanpuii
Ages: 10+ years
Life is sweet growing up in Aizawl, with his family and friends, and all the narrator wants is a peaceful life. But the independence movement in Mizoram means that regardless of what he wants, he is drawn inexorably into a world where everyone has to choose where they stand…
Set in the initial stages of the two-decade-long struggle for Mizoram’s independence and against the backdrop of the 1966 bombing of Aizawl, this stunning debut novel is an universal story of how individual dreams and lives are shattered when larger conflicts arise.
My Grandmother’s Masterpiece
My Grandmother’s Masterpiece || Madhurima Vidyarthi
Ages: 8+ years
‘This is the story of how my grandmother became a famous artist. It happened somewhere between my seventh and eighth birthdays, so she was really old and also a grandmother, and I didn’t know she was an artist. And, of course, she was not famous. And then she was both, all at once.’
For Nini, Minima is just her normal everyday grandmother. So when Minima suddenly shows an interest in doing something new, Nini is not sure that she likes it. After all, a grandmother’s first job is being a grandmother, isn’t it?
Once upon a time, there were fields in the city of Mumbai. Panthers roamed the forests of Malabar Hill and the occasional tiger could still be spotted, swimming the harbour or prowling the fringes of the city. The sea flooded the channels that separated the seven islands of the city. And on one of the islands stood a Fort, guarded by cannons that bristled from black ramparts.
Vikram, Aditya and their friends Anirudh and Chitra no idea of the existence of this Fort. But in a cave, on a windswept mountain in the Sahaydris, Anirudh has a dream. He dreams of a boy named Irfan who once lived in this Fort. He dreams of a city long lost and a friendship both transformative and life-affirming.
Journey to the Sahyadris in the first part of this riveting tale where history meets adventure in one of the most beautiful locales of India.
Far out in the Sahyadris rises a mountain called Koleshwar. Amidst its caves and rumbling streams lie many secrets, secrets that Anirudh discovers when he wakes from a strange dream. Vikram, Aditya, Chitra and Anirudh are now tasked with trying to make sense of his dream. How does Anirudh inexplicably recognize not just every contour and ridge of the lush, monsooned hills but also know every minute detail of the vanished Fort of Mumbai? Will this group of budding adventurers decode the forgotten legacy, buried in the ancient slopes of the Sahyadris, before tips goes over the edge?
Journey to the Sahyadris in the concluding instalment of this riveting tale where history meets adventure in one of the most beautiful locales of India.
Discover India: Mountains and Rivers of India
Discover India: Mountains and Rivers of India || Sonia Mehta
Ages: 8+ years
Did you know the Himalayas are a series of four parallel mountain belts?
Where does the Siwalik range get its name from?
Did you know the Western Ghats are listed by UNESCO as a biodiversity hotspot?
What is the name of the famous dam on Sutlej River?
There are a million incredible things to discover about India–from its land, people, food, festivals, to culture and a whole lot more! Daadu Dolma makes it even more fun for Mishki and Pushka in this book by telling them interesting facts about India’s majestic mountains and mighty rivers.
Join them as they explore the highest peaks, discover fascinating wildlife and look for the sources of rivers. This is a journey you don’t want to miss!
Mountains and Rivers of India is part of the Discover India series of books that contain lots of fun facts and engaging activities. Through these books, delve into the history, culture, food, festivals, wildlife and monuments of India, and find out what makes this diverse nation such a fascinating place to be.
Discover India: 101 Awesome Facts about India
Discover India: 101 Awesome Facts about India || Sonia Mehta
Ages: 8+ years
Ever seen a desert made of salt?
Did you know the Himalayas are said to grow taller by two inches every year?
Which ancient fort has the second longest wall in the world encircling it?
Did you know that chess was invented in India thousands of years ago?
There are a million incredible things to discover about India–from its land, people, food, festivals to culture and a whole lot more! Daadu Dolma makes it even more fun for Mishki and Pushka in this book by telling them 101 awesome facts about India.
Join them as they traverse through time to learn about India’s land and water, foot-tapping music, snippets about lesser-known tribes, interesting people and celebrations. This is a journey you don’t want to miss!
101 Awesome Facts about India is part of the Discover India series of books that contain lots of fun facts and engaging activities. Through these books, delve into the history, culture, food, festivals, wildlife and monuments of India, and find out what makes this diverse nation such a fascinating place to be.
Journey to the Edge of the Earth: True Adventure of Naval Officer Abhilash Tomy
Journey to the Edge of the Earth: True Adventure of Naval Officer Abhilash Tomy || Joeanna Rebello Fernandes
Travel far and wide with an Indian sailor and his endless love for the sea!
Imagine an infinite blue ocean and somewhere in the middle of it, tossed by wind and wave-a single boat. In it a solitary sailor.
This is the gritty, glorious and true adventure of Commander Abhilash Tomy, a former officer of the Indian Navy, who in 2012 set off on the journey of a lifetime. Without once stopping by land, he circumnavigated the world alone for 151 days, encountering deathly perils on choppy waters! No other Indian had sailed like this before. When he finally returned to India, Abhilash was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his heroism.
Dive right into this rousing tale of a real-life hero whose ambition, courage, and determination to circle the world on his little boat, will fire up your imagination. And as you travel with Abhilash across the ocean, learn about famous ships and sailors, legends and maps, winds and currents, and a score and more fascinating stories about our world of water.
Mythonama: The Big Book of Indian Mythologies
Mythonama: The Big Book of Indian Mythologies || Mudita Chauhan-Mubayi, Adittya Nath Mubayi
Ages: 10+ years
A thunderbolt of bone, a discus of sun dust
A menagerie of beastly deities and divine beasts
Shape-shifting shenanigans, cosmic miracles
Dive into myths and legends from the Avesta, Quran, Mahabharata, Bible and more. Meet immortal beings and magical creatures like Kag Bhushundi, Girimekhala and Bahubali in anecdotes, fables, quizzes and crosswords.
Unlock this vault of timeless treasures, brimming with creation myths, supernatural twins, sacred plants and wondrous weapons. Even the Potterverse and Star Wars appear in this perfect primer on Indian myths.
Brought to life by the popular quizmaker-author duo, Mythonama is a fascinating narrative blending engaging text, fantastical illustrations and immersive activities.
Wondering how to spend one more month at home? Wonder no more! October is here and so is a brand-new list! Our new releases will keep you and your beloved young readers company and take you on a varied and delightful literary adventure. Tuck in with this list!
The Wild Wisdom Quiz Book Volume 3
By WWF
The Wild Wisdom Quiz Book Volume 3 || WWF
Which colour cannot be seen by bees?
What are fossilized dinosaur droppings called?
Delve deeper into the world of animals, plants and more with this indispensable quiz book that helps you explore our planet’s natural beauty and myriad facets. Based on India’s only international-level quiz on wildlife, The Wild Wisdom Quiz Book Volume 3 is packed with exciting new chapters on biomimicry, evolution, conservation heroes and so much more.
Nava Durga – The Nine Forms of the Goddess
By Nalini Ramachandran
Illustrated by Priyanka Pachpande
Nava Durga || Nalini Ramachandran
Durga, is a powerful warrior-goddess with nine special forms!
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini and Chandraghanta,
Kushmanda and Skandamata,
Katyayani and Kaalratri,
Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri . . .
Each form is unique and together they are the Nava Durga. This is their story!
Ogd
By Anushka Ravishankar
OGD || Anushka Ravishankar
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Ogd, a messiah was born, with her foot in her mouth. She travels through many dimensions, and teaches us about the nature of apocalypse, cartography, education, inter-dimensional travel, mathematics, monarchy, philosophy, physics, poetry and toenails. A seemingly nonsensical enquiry into things which addresses complex issues of the world.
A Box of Stories: A Collector’s Edition
By Ruskin Bond
A Box of Stories || Ruskin Bond
Featuring some of Ruskin Bond’s finest stories, poetry and non-fiction pieces, this special collector’s edition brings together the best works of India’s best-loved author. Included in the collection are the two treasuries The Room of Many Colours and Uncles, Aunts and Elephants. With illustrations and a varied group of characters, this box set is a perfect collection for fans of the master storyteller.
The Puffin Mahabharata
By Namita Gokhale
Illustrated by Suddhasattwa Basu
The Puffin Mahabharata || Namita Gokhale
‘A long, long time ago, in the ancient lands of India, known in those days as Bharatvarsha, a family quarrel grew into a bloody war… That mighty battle between warring cousins of the Kuru clan has become a part of the mythology and history of India. The story of the Mahabharata is about defeat as much as victory, about humility as much as courage. It is the greatest story ever told.’
This is a retelling of a timeless tale in a clear, contemporary style. It brings the epic to life through brilliant illustrations, and is a treat to be cherished.
The Grand Chapati Contest
By Asha Nehemiah
Illustrated by Chetan Sharma
The Grand Chapati Contest || Asha Nehemiah
When the Royal Chapati Cook quits, there is no one to make the fluffy-puffy chapatis that the king loves. Can they find another champion chapati maker at the Grand Chapati Contest?
In this Hook Book, join Hawaldar Hook as he takes our little friends (aged 5 and above) on a colourful journey!
Moodunnit
By C.G. Salamander
Illustrated by Aindri C.
Moodunnit || C.G. Salamander
Hawaldar Hook is back with another adventure!
The vegetables from Ammu’s parents’ cart have disappeared! Who could have stolen them? Amma and Appa are sure the thief comes in a helicopter. But Ammu, following a trail left by the thief, finds some very strange clues …
Come join us as we try to find out where these vegetables are going!
