Unique books to watch-out for this Children’s Day from Puffin.
- Darkless by Tanushree Singh: A bittersweet picture book of love and loss
On a night when the moon shone and the little specks of light danced on the ceiling, Ani lay awake. ‘It’s dark,’ he said. Everything has turned dark in Ani’s life. Dobby, Nani, friends – he has them all by his side. But he pulls away from them. Will Ani ever find his way out of the dark?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tanu Shree Singh is an Assistant Professor in Psychology. She completed her studies in Positive Psychology, a relatively new and promising branch of psychology devoted to cultivating contented, happy, and fulfilling lives. She extensively writes on issues related to parenting and has been published in leading online dailies and communities. Her approach to parenting, rooted in her academic background, draws heavily from her experiences as a parent and a mentor. Her passion for reading and getting more children to read led her to set up two libraries in Faridabad and Tirthan Valley. She also supports 13 other libraries in Himachal. She is the author of Keep Calm and Mommy On, DK Indian Icons: CV Raman and has contributed to the anthologies Flipped and I’d rather read.
2. From Leeches to Slug Glue by Roopa Pai: A roller-coaster ride through the evolution of medicine in the last 2500 years!
Did you know that it wasn’t a surgeon but a fifteenth-century Italian artist who contributed to the study of human anatomy? Or that a Dutch cloth merchant, by using a cutting-edge lens to check fabric quality, ended up discovering microorganisms? Find out all about the fascinating stories and people behind these and several other medical breakthroughs in this fun, info-packed book that traces 2500 years of human history and development in the field of health and healing. Chronicling the life journeys of some brilliant, dedicated and extraordinary men and women, this book gives us a glimpse into the glorious ways in which science and medicine have advanced through the ages, across continents. This book is a celebration and a tribute to doctors, healers and scientists whose vast curiosity fueled the innovations, inventions and discoveries that have made modern medicine.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Roopa Pai is one of India’s best-known authors for children. She has written over twenty-five books ranging from picture books to chapter books and fiction to non-fiction, on themes as diverse as fantasy, popular science, maths, history, economics, life skills and philosophy. Many of these are bestsellers, and are enjoyed as much by adults as children.
3. Flyway BoyDear Sir or Madam, by Jane De Suza: A story about embracing everything that makes you uniquely you
Kabir doesn’t fit in. Not in the wintry hill town he lives in, and not in his school, where the lines are always straight. Backed into a corner with no way out, Kabir vanishes. With every adult’s nightmare now coming true, finding this flyaway boy will mean understanding who he really is. Or is it too late? Spirited and powerfully imaginative, Flyaway Boy is a story about embracing everything that makes you uniquely you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jane De Suza does not write normal books. The SuperZero series, Uncool, Happily Never After and The Spy Who Lost Her Head, among others, are examples of a very different, quirky and questioning look at life. She writes a humour column for The Hindu, had a parenting column for Good Housekeeping and is now co-building an app. Jane is a management graduate and a creative director. She currently lives in Singapore with her family. While travelling across various literature fests, schools and workshops, she grew fascinated by the creative potential of children, from which comes this book.
4. Across the Line by Nayanika Mahtani: ‘Compelling and uplifting . . . lingers long after the last page is turned’ Vidya Balan
1947: New Delhi. Cyril Radcliffe’s hands are clammy, partly from the heat but mostly from the enormity of the task assigned. Mopping the sweat off his brow, he picks up his pen, draws a deep breath–and a dark line.
Rawalpindi. A barbaric frenzy of rioters fills the streets, disrupting a game of pithoo between Toshi and her brother, Tarlok, shattering their lives unimaginably.
2008: Rawalpindi. Cricket-crazy Inaya is sneaking out behind her father’s back for net practice when she discovers that she is not the only one in her family keeping a secret.
New Delhi. Jai accidentally stumbles upon an old, hidden away diary in his kitchen. The date of its last entry: 17 August 1947.
As Jai and Inaya’s unlikely worlds collide, another story unfolds. A story that started with the drawing of a line. A story that shifts the truth in their lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nayanika Mahtani once harboured dreams of becoming a stage actor, but she followed the proverbial left side of her brain to do an MBA at IIM Bangalore and became an investment banker. A decade later, she followed her heart to live in Africa. Since then, she’s been following the right side of her brain and is now an author and screenwriter. Nayanika’s books include Ambushed and The Gory Story of Genghis Khan (aka Don’t Mess with the Mongols). She has also recently co-written the story and screenplay for a Hindi film based on the extraordinary life of the mathematical genius, Shakuntala Devi. Nayanika lives in London with her family, their dog, hamster and two goldfish named Sushi and Fishfinger.
5. The Golden Eagle by Deepak Dalal: Explore birds like never before!
WELCOME TO STORK-PUR, THE PLACE OF NO RETURN
One moonlit night, when Shikar, the squirrel, asks his favourite doves, Lovey and Dovey, to tell him a story, they recount their time at Stork-pur, a mysterious bird commune. A place no bird would ever want to visit. On a secret mission, the doves are taken hostage by a villainous stork whose dark plan is to rule the bird-world. Danger lurks in every corner of the caves the doves are imprisoned in, and they wonder whom they can trust? The talkative green pigeon, the mesmerizing whistling thrush or the magnificent golden eagle?
The feather-raising adventure ends finally in a story the doves dub as ‘the story of all stories’–one that deeply affects Shikar and alters his notions of himself, his past and his origins.
Return to the Rose Garden to read about the enthralling capers of your favourite feathered friends and bird-squirrel, as they swap stories of daring and wonder.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deepak Dalal gave up a career in chemical engineering to write stories for children. He lives in Pune with his wife, two daughters and several dogs and cats. He enjoys wildlife, nature and the outdoors. All his stories have a strong conservation theme. His earlier books in the VikramAditya adventure series are set in India’s wilderness destinations. This is his fourth book in the Feather Tales series.
Krishna Bala Shenoi spends his days making things (mostly illustrations), procrastinating and exploring film. His artwork, spanning a variety of styles, has accompanied children’s literature in books produced by esteemed publishing houses. He lives in Bangalore, where he plans to continue contributing to children’s storytelling, imbuing his work with gentleness and a sense of wonder.
6. The Daughter from the Wishing Tree by Sudha Murty: Who do the gods turn to for support when they are helpless?
Did you know that the Trinity often turned to goddesses to defeat the asuras?
Did you know that the first clone in the world was created by a woman?
The women in Indian mythology might be fewer in number, but their stories of strength and mystery in the pages of ancient texts and epics are many. They slayed demons and protected their devotees fiercely. From Parvati to Ashokasundari and from Bhamati to Mandodari, this collection features enchanting and fearless women who frequently led wars on behalf of the gods, were the backbone of their families and makers of their own destinies.
India’s much-loved and bestselling author Sudha Murty takes you on an empowering journey
-through the yarns forgotten in time-abounding with remarkable women who will remind you of the strong female influences in your life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sudha Murty was born in 1950 in Shiggaon, north Karnataka. She did her MTech in computer science, and is now the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. A prolific writer in English and Kannada, she has written novels, technical books, travelogues, collections of short stories and non-fiction pieces, and six bestselling books for children. Her books have been translated into all the major indian languages. Sudha Murty is the recipient of the R.K. Narayan Award for Literature (2006), the Padma Shri (2006) and the Attimabbe Award from the Government of Karnataka for excellence in Kannada literature (2011).
7. 31 Fantastic Adventures in Science: Women Scientists in India by Nandita Jayaraj and Aashima Freidog: Stories about trailblazing women scientists and researchers of our country
We don’t see them on TV, in textbooks or in newspapers, and most of us can’t name a single one. But there are thousands of women scientists in India, who perform experiments in laboratories, peer through powerful telescopes and camp out in harsh and extreme conditions.
This unique book presents the stories of thirty-one of these trailblazing women who work in a diverse array of fields, from environmental biotechnology to particle physics, palaeobiology to astrophysics. Through their research, they uncover the mysteries of the universe, find more sustainable ways of living, cure life-threatening diseases and study animals and plants that are long gone.
Find out what drew them to science, read about how they deal with the difficulties and pressures of their work, and learn how they push the boundaries of human knowledge further and further every day.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Nandita Jayaraj is a freelance science writer and storyteller who started her career at The Hindu, followed by a stint at Brainwave, a magazine where she met her science soulmate-Aashima. Nandita spends most of her time plotting new projects whilst flitting between Kerala and Karnataka, where she is lucky enough to have places that feel like home.
Aashima Dogra is a science writer who writes for children as well as adults but always about science. When she is not travelling to laboratories around the country trying to sniff out fantastic stories, you will find her at her desk, which overlooks the snowy mountains in Himachal Pradesh, India.
8. The Incredible Adventures of Mr Cheeks by Tazmeen Amna: A wonderful concoction of courage, friendship and rebellion against society’s status quo
‘Bunneez cannot seeng,’ the goat said.
‘Not posibaal. Ze nightingales already booked!’
The Annual Carnival of Hastings is fast approaching and Mr Cheeks, a dapper tap-dancing chihuahua; Mr Grey, a grumpy Persian cat who paints; and Hopper, an anxious rabbit who sings, are super excited! All geared up to show their uniqueness, they set out to sign up for the talent shows. But little do they know that in Hastings, everyone has their set roles: only nightingales are allowed to sing and only peacocks can dance. But is that fair? Seeking to bring about a change, the oddballs hatch a risky yet brilliant plan to teach Hastings about free will and the joy of not fitting in. An exciting journey ensues, where the three friends face the challenge of following their heart -even when it isn’t the easiest thing to do.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Tazmeen Amna is extremely passionate about animals. She ditched a corporate career and is currently working with the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations. When not enjoying the company of the furry ones, Tazmeen paints portraits of them-her medium being watercolour and acrylics. A bookworm and feminist, she has been painting and writing since the age of four. She studied literature at Lady Shri Ram College for Women and also holds an MBA degree. She resides in New Delhi with her family and her many pets-Bagheera, the real-life Mr Grey; a Madagascar lovebird; a Quaker parakeet; a grey cockatiel; and a Netherland Dwarf rabbit. Her future plans include adopting a kitten as well as penning down a sequel to this book.
PLEASE DO CHECK THEM OUT
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