South Asian Kidlit

The Indian holiday of Holi is coming up next week, March 1 & 2, 2018 so it seemed appropriate to review this wonderful new picture book which introduces the holiday that will appeal to both newcomers to the holiday and those already familiar. Title: Festival of Colors Author: Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal (check out the interview… Read more »

I am so excited to bring you this year’s crop of South Asian Kidlit books. There are so many books coming out this year that I will be breaking it down into three posts over the course of this year. And for the first time ever we have over 10+ picture books coming out in… Read more »

Welcome back! Summer is flying by and we’ve got a lot of wonderful South Asian Kidlit books coming out in the next few months. It is wonderful to the see the breadth of South Asian books that are coming out from real-world stories, to contemporary, and fantasy. Last week, I was interviewed by Kristi at… Read more »

Hope everyone is keeping warm this winter. Here in California, we’re just trying to stay dry in one of the wettest winters ever. Not that I’m complaining. It’s better than the string of drought years. I am still working away on my picture books and have started working on a YA historical novel. Speaking of… Read more »

Title: Dear Mrs. Naidu Author: Mathangi Subramanian Publisher: Zubaan Books, 2015 Pages: 286 Genre: Contemporary, Multicultural Themes: Activism, Friendship, Economic Diversity Ages: 10 and up Synopsis (Zubaan Books website): Twelve-year-old Sarojini’s best friend, Amir, might not be her best friend anymore. Ever since Amir moved out of the slum and started going to a posh private school, it seems… Read more »

Hope you summer as been relaxing. My life seems to be a bit all over the place with writing conferences, kid camps, vacation … can’t believe summer is half over. Yesterday I did a guest post on South Asian kidlit for We Need Diverse Book’s Looking Back series. While researching for that post I felt a… Read more »

Title: Heart of a Tiger Author: Marsha Diane Arnold Illustrator: Jamichael Henterly Publisher: Dial Books, 1995 Book Type: Fiction Ages: 4-8 Themes: Bravery, Perseverance, Jungle Animals, India Excerpt: The Name Day Celebration was only one week away. “My name shall be Bahadur Shikari – Mighty Hunger,” declared Number One, scouting the veranda for mice. “I’ll choose Rang Birange Kapare… Read more »

It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday (PPBF) again. This week you will get not one but TWO in-depth reviews for this week’s pick GANESHA’S SWEET TOOTH.  So why two reviews this week, you ask? Upon receiving this book from the publisher, I was completely speechless regarding the unique illustrations, I did not have a clue as… Read more »

Title: One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale Author & Illustrator: Demi Check out the interview at Paper Tigers Publisher: Scholastic Press, 1997 Book Type: Fiction Ages: 5-10 Themes: Folklore, India, Social Responsibility, Math, Cleverness Synopsis (from book jacket flap): Long ago in India, there lived a raja who believed that he was wise and… Read more »