Bhangra Boogie
Hena Khan
Talia wants to be as graceful as the bhangra dancers at the mehndi – a traditional South Asian pre-wedding celebration. But her feet drag and her arms freeze when she tries to dance in front of others. Instead, she sits in her chair. But with some help from her dadi (grandmother), will Talia find the courage to take to the floor? And can she convince Dadi to join her?
Best of All: The Magical Mix in You
Smriti Prasadam-Halls
You are your mother’s bright eyes and her joyful wide grin, your father’s big heart and his kindness within. Inspired by the author’s own experience of raising her children to celebrate their British and Indian heritage, ‘Best of All’ is a gorgeous and heartwarming book exploring what makes us who we are.
Nabil Steals a Penguin
Nishani Reed
When Pierre the penguin tries Nabil’s delicious biriyani rice, Pierre decides to leave the zoo and go home with him! But Nabil will be in BIG TROUBLE if his mum finds out. And Pierre is EVERYWHERE – honking, dancing, bouncing on the bed and making a HUGE bubbly mess in the bathroom. Will Nabil’s parents let Pierre stay?
The Great Henna Party
Humera Malik
Noor’s cousin is getting married tomorrow, and tonight, her family is throwing her a henna party. They will sing traditional songs, eat delicious treats, and have their hands painted in swirling designs using a dye called henna. Noor is especially excited to play the henna name game. The henna artist will hide the name of the person Noor loves the most in the pattern she paints on Noor’s hands.
But whose name will Noor choose? As Noor encounters each member of her family, she finds it harder and harder to make her choice. What should she do if she loves them all?
Billy and the Beast
Nadia Shireen
Billy and Fatcat hear a terrible rumble in the woods – it’s a terrible beast making a terrible soup – out of all of Billy and Fatcat’s friends! But luckily Billy is brave and strong, and has something up her sleeve (or in her hair).
Malala’s Magic Pencil
Malala Yousafzai
As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil that she could use to redraw reality. She would use it to give gifts to her family, to erase the smell from the rubbish dump near her house, to sleep an extra hour in the morning. As she grew older, Malala wished for bigger and bigger things. She saw a world that needed fixing. And even if she never found a magic pencil, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true.
The Star Birthday
Chitra Soundar
Grandad and Granny come to visit from India and show the boys that the best way to eat mangoes is in the bath! There’s a Star Birthday for Nikhil, with a special Indian Feast. Another day the family all go for a banana picnic in the park. Everyone is sad when it’s time for Granny and Grandad to go back to India, but Nikhil and Jay promise to send letters and pictures.
Ballet Besties: Indu’s Time to Shine
Yasmine Naghdi
Indu loves learning ballet at Shimmer & Shine, her local community dance school. Unlike her friends, she doesn’t want to be a principal dancer when she grows up, and she’s a bit scared of being on stage, but it’s still one of her favourite hobbies. Until Miss Diamond announces that this term they’ll be putting on a performance of Cinderella!
Suddenly everyone’s talking about what lead role they want and how fun it will be to dance for an audience, and Indu is feeling nervous and left out. What role will she audition for? Will her friends understand her worries? And will she ever be able to conquer her stage fright?
Anisha, Accidental Detective
Serena Patel
Anisha Mistry is all set to be a bridesmaid at her Aunty Bindi’s wedding tomorrow – until she finds a note in her family’s letterbox. Bindi’s groom has been kidnapped and will only be released if the wedding is called off! With best friend Milo, a mischievous granny, a runaway lobster, a giant chauffeur, and some super sleuthing skills, it’s up to Anisha Mistry to find her uncle and save the big Indian wedding of the year.
Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds
Annabelle Sami
Determined to be the world’s greatest detective, Zaiba is always on the lookout for a crime to solve! When a new family moves to the village, Zaiba is intrigued to hear about the strange happenings in their home. Things go missing, objects are smashed and unfriendly messages are painted on the walls.
There have always been rumours that the house is haunted, but is a ghost really causing all this trouble? Zaiba and her team are convinced that the culprit is very much alive – and won’t stop until they get what they want.
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom
Sangu Mandanna
Kiki Kallira has always been a worrier. Did she lock the front door? Is there a terrible reason her mum is late? Recently her anxiety has been getting out of control, but one thing that has always soothed her is drawing. Kiki’s sketchbook is full of fantastical doodles of the Hindu myths and legends her mother has told her since she was tiny.
One day, her sketchbook’s calming effect is broken when her mythological characters begin springing to life and Kiki is pulled into the mystical world she drew. There, she discovers the band of rebel kids who protect the kingdom, as well as an ancient, monstrous god bent on total destruction. Kiki must overcome her fear and anxiety to save both worlds – the real and the imagined – from his wrath. But how can a girl armed with only a pencil defeat something so powerful?
Aru Shah and the End of Time
Roshani Chokshi
Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. While her classmates are jetting off to family vacations in exotic locales, she’ll be spending her autumn break at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, waiting for her mom to return from her latest archeological trip.
One day, three schoolmates show up at Aru’s doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don’t believe her claim that the museum’s Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. But lighting the lamp has dire consequences. She unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Her classmates and beloved mother are frozen in time, and it’s up to Aru to save them.
Where the River Runs Gold
Sita Brahmachari
Shifa and her brother, Themba, live in Kairos City with their father, Nabil. The few live in luxury, whilst the millions like them crowd together in compounds, surviving on meagre rations and governed by Freedom Fields – the organisation that looks after you, as long as you opt in. The bees have long disappeared; instead children must labour on farms, pollinating crops so that the nation can eat.
But Nabil remembers Before and he knows that the soul needs to be nourished as much as the body so, despite the risk, he teaches his children how to grow flowers on a secret piece of land hidden beneath the train tracks. The farm Shifa and Themba are sent to is hard and cruel. Themba won’t survive there and Shifa comes up with a plan to break them out. But they have no idea where they are – their only guide is a map drawn from the ramblings of a stranger.
Asha & the Spirit Bird
Jasbinder Bilan
In an unforgettable adventure set in contemporary India, Asha is guided by a majestic bird which she believes to be the spirit of her grandmother. Together with her best friend, Jeevan, she embarks on a journey across the Himalayas to find her missing father and save her home.
City of Stolen Magic
Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
India, 1855. The British rule, and all across the country, Indian magic is being stamped out. More terrifying still, people born with magic are being snatched from their homes. Rumour is that they are being taken across the sea – to England – by the all-powerful, sinister Company. When Chompa’s home is attacked and her mother viciously kidnapped, Chompa – born with powerful and dangerous magic that she has always been forbidden from using – must travel to the smoky, bustling streets of East London in search of her.
But Chompa will discover far more treachery in London than she had bargained for – and will learn that every act of her rare magic comes with a price.
Mohinder’s War
Bali Rai
13-year-old Joelle Breton stumbles across Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh when his plane crashes in occupied France and it’s up to her and her parents to hide him from the Nazis. After all, her parents are brave members of the French Resistance and will do everything they can to help get Mohinder back to Britain.
But when they are betrayed and tragedy strikes, Joelle and Mohinder will have to act fast if they are ever to evade the enemy.
India, Incredible India
Jasbinder Bilan and Nina Chakrabarti
This is a joyful celebration of India and its vibrant culture and fascinating history. The book divides India by region, expertly capturing India’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, exploring its geography, its food, its customs and its stunning landmarks – from the skyscrapers of New Delhi to the banks of the holy river Ganges.
The Extraordinary Life of Mahatma Gandhi
Chitra Soundar
From growing up in India and studying in London to becoming a political activist in South Africa and taking on the battle for independence in India, Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy has lived on well beyond his years. Read the life story of this brilliant, strong-willed and influential man in this illustrated book, complete with real-life stories, timelines and facts.
South Asian Folktales, Myths & Legends
Sarah Shaffi and Abeeha Tariq
Enjoy a rich collection of folktales, myths and legends from all over South Asia, re-told for young readers. This book includes traditional favourites such as the story of Rama and Sita and classic folktales and mythology.
A beautiful new edition of retellings – including tales from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Stories for South Asian Superkids
Raj Kaur Khaira
Bringing together the stories of game-changing business leaders (Bela Bajaria, Payal Kadakia, Sharmadean Reid), leading entertainers (Freddie Mercury, Riz Ahmed), award-winning authors (Khaled Hosseini, Satnam Sanghera, Salman Rushdie) and a whole host of other equally remarkable figures – from non-binary performance artist Alok V. Menon, unstoppable Chef Asma Khan and ground-breaking model Yasmeen Ghauri – this book seeks to redress the imbalance for young kids of colour by empowering them to break new ground for themselves and inspire others along the way.
Tales from India
Bali Rai
A collection of 20 stories from India’s rich folklore heritage. From wicked magicians to wise old priests, charming princes and beautiful princesses, to greedy tigers and wily jackals, these magical tales are full of adventure and trickery and infused with deeper messages about morality, life and the world around us.
Hardit Singh Malik: World War One Flying Ace
Bali Rai
In this fascinating true story based on the life of Hardit Singh Malik, discover the adventures of WWI’s first Indian pilot. He planned to join the French air force before a former teacher intervened and the Royal Flying Corps gave Hardit an ‘honorary’ commission as a 2nd lieutenant flying Sopwith Camels.
Amazing Asia
Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Dive deep into this vast and epic continent, looking at its incredible past, its fascinating present, and its exciting future. ‘Amazing Asia’ celebrates the five geographic regions – East, West, North and Central, South and South East.
Stories for South Asian Supergirls
Raj Kaur Khaira
Through the fascinating stories of 50 women from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, South Asian girls will have a chance to dream about lives for themselves that radically differ from the limited narratives written for them by their culture, wider society and the media.
Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder
Bali Rai and Daniel Duncan
When he spots a lonely old man watching his football games in the park, and then sees him again eating at the local gurdwara kitchen, Bobby wants to help. At first the man doesn’t seem very friendly and he doesn’t want to take part in the local walking football league for older people that Bobby tells him about.
But when Bobby eventually changes his mind, it turns out that the man is a talented former professional footballer who has recently been widowed, and Bobby’s invitation opens up a rewarding new opportunity for him to make connections in his local community.
Princess Sophia Duleep Singh
Sufiya Ahmed
Born in Britain to Indian and Egyptian parents, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was a prominent suffragette and campaigned for the women’s right to vote. Explore Sophia’s incredible life with ‘My Story’.
It’s Time to Hush and Say Good Night
Chitra Soundar
A dream-ride of a bedtime book, inspired by ancient Indian lullabies. Travel a lush dreamscape world as a father lulls his toddler towards sleep, weaving a quilt of dreams across the roaring seas and through the inky night – and dealing with some big toddler emotions en route. Sumptuously illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, and infused with the spirit and flora and fauna of India.
The Boy Who Met a Whale
Nizrana Farook
Razi, a local fisherboy, is watching turtle eggs hatch when he sees a boat bobbing into view. With a chill, he notices a small, still hand hanging over the side. Inside is Zheng, who’s escaped a shipwreck and is full of tales of sea monsters and missing treasure. But the villains who are after Zheng are soon after Razi and his sister, Shifa, too. And so begins an exhilarating adventure in the shadow of the biggest sea monster of them all.
You’re Safe With Me
Chitra Soundar
When the moon rises and the stars twinkle, it is bedtime for the baby animals of the Indian forest. But tonight, when the skies turn dark and the night grows stormy, the little ones can’t sleep. Only Mama Elephant with her words of wisdom can reassure them ‘You’re safe with me’.
Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister
Chitra Soundar and Jen Khatun
Being a big sister to a new baby brings big responsibilities. One day Amma tells Sona she is going to have a baby, and although she realises that her life is about to change, and while she’s having some difficulty in coming to terms with having to share everything with the new baby – including Amma and Appa, her grandparents and her home – Sona Sharma wants to be the very best big sister she can be.
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