Ten Must Read Children’s Books by the 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 5 to 8-year-olds

1. Rumour (Anushka Ravishankar). Join the villagers of Baddbaddpur in this charming and funny folktale retold by Anushka Ravishankar. A playful tale about how Pandurang grew a forest in his mouth!
2. Excuses, Excuses (Anushka Ravishankar). Youngsters will delight in Neel’s fantastic and never-ending excuses. Wild and funny, this one is sure to capture young readers imagination. 
3. Magic drum and other stories (Sudha Murty): Perfect for bedtime stories, Murty has anthologized several folk tales and these stories retain their old-world charm. 
4. The trouble with magic (Asha Nehemiah): A wonderful story about Veena and her aunt Malu, who end up in big trouble when they use magic to create a commercial product to make money!
5. Kama Vs. Yama (Devdutt Pattanaik): A little girl Jayshree learns how to balance work and play when she meets Yama, the god of Dharma (duty) and the Kama, the god of play. A fabulous way to introduce mythology to your child, without boring her.   

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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