TCLP runs free community libraries in Delhi and Gurugram.
Our collection comprises of books for children, young adults, and adults in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali and English.
This is a selection of our most popular titles for children. It has been put together by TCLP librarians, in no particular order.
Putul lives by the Ganga in a fishing village in Bengal. In the torrential monsoons one year, the mighty river swells over the banks and into the huts, and two friendly dolphins come leaping in the water right through Putul's window! The story strikes a universal chord by highlighting the empathetic relationship people share with nature when their everyday lives are so closely linked with it. Clear lines and earthy colours of the folk-style illustrations capture the grand sweep of the river and life beside it.
Available in: Bengali, Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu
To purchase: https://www.tulikabooks.com/general-picture-books/putul-and-the-dolphins-putul-o-shushuk-bengali.html
2. Nabiya
By Chatura Rao
Illustrations: Ruchi Mhasane
Publisher: Tulika Books
It is hard not to notice Nabiya in Savita Teacher's English story classes. She listens so hard that she hardly blinks! Slowly, she begins to explore stories, delight in their words, pictures and funny moments. This sensitively told story about a spirited young girl, who likes football as much as she likes story books, is based on the author's own experience. Using a collage of colours, textures and drawings, the illustrations evoke Nabiya's everyday world and her journey into the world of words.
Available in: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati
To purchase: https://www.tulikabooks.com/general-picture-books/nabiya-english.html
3. Ari
By Viashali Shroff
Illustrations: Kavita Singh Kale
Publisher: Tulika Books
When the teacher announces that the class will stage The Lion and the Mouse, Ari is thrilled. He knows he'll make a wonderful lion – even his name means ‘lion'! But shy little Ari is neither noticed nor chosen. He goes home disappointed, but suddenly in his room a roaring, growling, prowling creature comes to life… and a small, squeaky one too! The flat illustrative style with its strong kitschy palette gets away from usual depictions of the ‘soft, sensitive' child, and captures the energy and fun of play-acting.
Available in: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati
To purchase: https://www.tulikabooks.com/general-picture-books/ari-english.html
4. Phani’s Funny Chappals
By Sridala Swami
Illustrations: Sanjay Sarkar
Publisher: Pratham Books/ Storyweaver
Phani wants to be a good student and an obedient child but alas! his chappals won’t let him. What’s a boy to do!
Available in: Hindi, Oriya, Gondi, Kannada, Tamil, French, Chinese, English
To read on Storyweaver: https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/952-phani-s-funny-chappals
5. Payal Kho Gayi
By Shivani & Maheen
Illustrations: Kanak Shahi
Publisher: Eklavya
Payal has gone missing and the whole basti is wondering where she could be. Her friends search for her in all the usual spots but she’s not to be found. Where could Payal be?
Available in: Hindi
To purchase: https://www.pitarakart.in/payal-kho-gai
6. Kanna Panna
By Zoe Whitaker
Illustrations: Niloufer Wadia
Publisher: Tulika Books
Words rollick and frolic in Kanna's head, yet he hardly speaks. One day, he is at the cave temples with his aunt's family when the lights go off. How will they find their way back through the maze of tunnels? Everyone is frightened, except Kanna. Light or no light, it makes no difference because he can't see anyway.
From one of the best known writers for children today comes this joyous story that neatly inverts the notion of disability. The warm pictures, sensitive yet strong, pick up the nuances to portray a child for whom having a visual impairment is just the way he is – and is even a chance to have some fun!
Available in: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati
To purchase: https://www.tulikabooks.com/general-picture-books/kanna-panna-english.html
7. Naya Sweater
By Paptu Dharve
Illustrations: Soumya Menon
Publisher: Eklavya
Winter is on its way and Paptu badly wants a new sweater. Will she manage to get one before the cold sets in? This bi-lingual book is a wonderful way to hone two languages at once.
Available in: Hindi-English
To purchase: https://www.pitarakart.in/naya-sweater
8. Nangu Nangu Naach
By Richa Jha
Illustrations: Ruchi Mhasane
Publisher: Eklavya
If birds and animals and even Pirate-Billi can dance freely without pesky clothes, why can’t we?
Available in: Hindi
To purchase: https://www.pitarakart.in/Nangu_Nangu_Naach
9. Mukund Aur Riyaz
By Nina Sabnani
Publisher: Tulika Books
Friendship knows no partition or barbed wire fencing, and all children feel the loss of friends. A moving reading experience with strong visuals using the art of appliqué work common to India and Pakistan.
Available in: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali
To purchase: https://www.tulikabooks.com/general-picture-books/mukand-and-riaz-english.html
10. Kajri Gaay Series
By Jujja Wieslander
Hindi Translation: Arundhati Deosthale with Louise Casenberg
Illustrations by Sven Nordqvist
Published by: A&A Book Trust
Meet Kajri Gaay, Kouwa and their gang of farm friends as they get into one scrape after the other. Translated from Jujja Weislander’s hugely successful ‘Mamma Mu & Kraken’ series, Kajri’s hi-jinks will keep you entertained for days!
Available in: Hindi
To purchase: http://www.arvindkumarpublishers.com/aa-book-trust.asp?Category=Children&Language=All
11. Gajapati Kulpati
By Ashok Rajagopalan
Publisher: Tulika Books
This story about what happens when Gajapati Kulapati catches a mighty big cold is told with simple text and simply delightful pictures.
Available in: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi
To purchase: https://www.tulikabooks.com/general-picture-books/gajapati-kulapati-english.html
12. Kyun Kyun Ladki
By Mahashweta Devi
Illustrations: Kanyika Kini
Publisher: Tulika Books
Moyna can't go to school because she has to tend goats, collect firewood, fetch water. But she is full of questions. An inspiring story by the acclaimed Jnanpith award-winning writer.
Available in: English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu
To purchase: https://www.tulikabooks.com/wordbird-books/the-why-why-girl-kyun-kyun-ladki-hindi.html
13. The Boy Who Asked Why
By Sowmya Rajendran
Illustrations: Satwik Gade
Publisher: Tulika Books
The life of an extraordinary man, whose questioning ‘why's led him to fight untouchability, urge Dalits to protest against the inhumanity they suffered — and finally, to help draft the Indian Constitution that would ensure equality for all. Visualised with quirky imagination, this is a story that will raise the awareness of children, and make them ask their own ‘why's.
Available in: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali
To purchase: https://www.amazon.in/Bhimrao-Ambedkar-boy-Who-Asked/dp/9350466848
14. Uddh Chali
By Sowmya Rajendran
Illustrations: Arun Kaushik
Publisher: National Book Trust
Little Malathi wants to run after hens and chicks and catch the ripe yellow mangoes as they fall but how can she, on a wheelchair? She grows up to show that she can do much, much more! Moments and experiences from the remarkable life of disabled athlete Malathi Holla, told simply and sensitively, bring out her determination and untiring spirit. The energetic illustrations are full of warmth and cheer.
Available in: Hindi, English
To purchase: https://www.amazon.in/Wings-Fly-Chali-Sowmya-Rajendran/dp/9350466481
14. Moin & The Monster
By Anushka Ravishankar
Publisher: Duckbill Books
“It was no great hardship for Moin to stop singing, but stopping the monster was proving to be an impossible task”. When you share a house with a monster who loves to sing, it is unlikely that your first concert will go smoothly. But when a Bollywood music maestro enters the scene and the monster decides to change its colour, life becomes impossibly complicated for Moin. This laugh-out-loud funny sequel to Moin and the Monster will have you demanding more.
Available in: English
To purchase: https://www.amazon.in/Moin-Monster-Songster-Anushka-Ravishankar/dp/938162691X
15. Samudra Tat Par
By OV Vijayan
Publisher: Katha Books
A father travels a long way to say goodbye to his beloved son. A stunning short story by one of India’s most prolific writers.
Available in: Hindi
To purchase: https://books.katha.org/product/samudra-tat-par/
16. A Book For Puchku
By Deepanjana Pal
Illustrations: Rajiv Eipe
Publisher: Pratham Books/ Storyweaver
Puchku has run out of books to read. Then she discovers more books in the top shelf of the library bookcase. But Puchku is small, and the bookcase tall. How will she ever get to her beloved books?
Available in 24 languages on Storyweaver: https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/24620-a-book-for-puchku
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