Ten Must Read Children’s Books by our Indian Authors

Writing for children is perhaps more difficult than writing for adults. The past few years have seen a number of Indian authors foray into writing for children. Here are some that I would love for my kid.

Books for 8-10-year-old children

1. Luka and the Fire of Life (Salman Rushdie). Luka, the boy with the power to turn back time, finds himself in the middle of a hair-raising adventure when he curses a cruel circus leader, gets himself befriended by a circus dog and circus bear, and sets out into the World of Magic to save his father's life. 

2. Tigers for Dinner (Ruskin Bond). A cook, who boasts of having been 'Jim Corbett's khansamah' tells his starry-eyed young listener (the author himself) stories of the man-eating jungle cats and near-fatal escapades he experienced during his earlier employment. But are the stories true? Read the book to find out!

3. The Adventures of Rusty (Ruskin Bond). Written in a simple descriptive style and spiced with Ruskin Bond’s gentle humour, this book will be loved by kids. 

4. Malgudi Schooldays (R.K. Narayan). Swami takes us on a journey of childhood, particularly a childhood spent in rural India. Children will empathise with Swami and his schooldays in sleepy little Malgudi town, and adults will be filled with nostalgia. 

Although Indian authors have been writing books for children for long, it is only now that they are gaining recognition. The advantage of books by Indian writers is that the kid is able to relate to the setting, while also gaining knowledge about the diverse and rich Indian culture. So on your next trip to the book store, try to lay your hands on some of the above picks. I am sure you and your child will love reading them! 

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