41 Indian Books for children Your Family Will Love
Indian books for children have played an essential role in raising my daughters. Since they were toddlers, they’ve felt a deep connection to India after watching Bollywood movies. They were instantly sucked in by the Bollywood beats and would break out into joyous dancing during the music scenes. Their senses went into overdrive from the explosions of color popping out from the tv screen. They wanted to dress like the women and girls they saw in the movies, attend an Indian wedding and buy bangles.
From movies, the girls’ curiosity grew and they wanted to learn more about the country, its people, languages, foods and customs.
I’ve traveled to over 30 countries with my children, and while we’ve yet to visit India, this has not stopped us from experiencing Indian culture. On biweekly trips to our neighborhood library, we’d rummage for new books to expand our knowledge of India and Indian people. From books on saris, buildings, traditional foods, folklore, faiths and family…they became toddler anthropologists! Indian books for kids provided us with a wealth of resources in our quest to dig deeper into the depths of Indian culture.
Through books, the girls learned the complexities of Indian history from its colonial period, liberation movements, partitioning and current events. Indian books for children also taught them about geography and the varying regions within the country, along with its religions, celebrations and everyday life. Books gave us a peek into Indian families, relationships and cultural structures.
Why I chose the Indian children’s books on this list
As with any book list I create, I aim to provide diverse stories and resources that help readers dig deeper into a people and culture. And as diversity has become a buzzword easily thrown around, many fail to realize that, quite often, diversity exists within diversity. When choosing Indian books for children, I wanted to present a range Indian expression and experiences in the books I selected.
Over the years, I have found that most Indian children’s books Hindu/Hindi-centric, and they rarely reflect the multiplicity of language, culture and faith that exists within the country. And they almost never represent Indo-Caribbean, Indo-African, Indo-Malaysian, Indo-Fijian and Indo-Maldivian communities. With this in mind, I wanted to be proactive about creating a list of Indian books for kids that reflected the heterogeneity of the greater Indian experience.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find children’s books sharing the Indo-Malaysian, Indo-Fijian and Indo-Maldivian experience. This doesn’t mean that they don’t exist, I just wasn’t able to find any.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2012
Where to purchase Indian books for children
I am very adamant about promoting independent booksellers and stores as often as possible, especially those that are Black, Brown and Indigenous-owned. This is not always possible, though, as Amazon and large chain bookstores monopolize the market.
Finding Indian books for children sold by independent sellers proved to be difficult, and some of the books on the list were only available through Amazon. While most of the books suggested in this post are from chained retailers and Amazon, there are two notable independent publishers that sell Indian children’s books.
Mango & Marigold Press is an independent, South Asian-owned publishing house. Their collection of books is small, but the books they have produced thus far are incredible. The stories are written by South Asian writers and aim to tell inclusive stories from the Indian subcontinent.
Lee & Low Books is an independent book publisher with an amazing collection of multicultural stories for children. They carry the most impressive assortments of diverse children’s books, and their collection includes Indian children’s books.
VISIT YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY
If buying a collection of books with Indian characters is not within your budget, be sure to check out the local library. Your public library card is a passport to diverse cultures and gives one access to a plethora of literature to learn from.
How to learn from Indian books for kids
There are many innovative ways to use Indian books for kids as learning resources. My children love history, geography and cultural studies, and we use books as a catalyst to dig deeper into these subjects. We have various books on the history of India for children. Even Nasir, 5, joins along in the fun as we often read Indian books for toddlers that share special cultural messages. We also include other resources as creative tools to further learning. Hands-on projects, cooking and visiting markets help to reiterate lessons and engage children in their studies.
Here are other activities to include when using Indian children's books as educational tools:
Indian movies
Craft projects
Eat at an Indian restaurant
Watch nature shows about India
Study maps of India
Visit Indian grocery stores
Make Indian art
Learn about Indian architecture
Learn how weddings and funerals are celebrated
Attend an Indian festival in your area
Get a cookbook and make Indian food
Make Indian desserts
Study Indian mythology
Study notable persons of Indian heritage.
Learn about the brutal history of British colonial rule in India
Study Indian fashion
Futher reading: How To Use Books To Give Your Children Global Experiences At Home
Cultural diversity in India
One of the biggest misconceptions of India is that its people are all “the same”. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth! In fact, India is a very complex nation made up of a motley of cultural variances. Thousands of years of trading throughout Asia, and intermarrying and migration, created unique diversity within the country. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, the northern and southern regions are completely different from each other. There are thousands of small ethnic groups within the country, who have their own unique cultures and languages.
From varying gastronomy, languages, dances, customs and traditions, India is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual nation. This is very important to understand when approaching Indian culture and introducing it to children. If one is going to read books about India with one’s children, one must understand India’s diversity.
“Most people groups are not monoliths, and woven within cultures are intricate and varying stories, customs and beliefs.”
Religious diversity in India
India is the birthplace of four major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. Nearly 14.2 percent of Indians—about 65 miliion people— also practice Islam; these numbers were higher in the past as both Pakistan and Bangladesh were once a part of India. The countries were split after independence from the British in a series of complex and bloody battles.
South India was once home to a thriving community of Cochin Jews whose presence in the country dates back to the 12th century. The Cochin were the largest Jewish group in India, and the community is believed to date back to the time of King Solomon. Over the past 65 years, most have left to live in Palestine.
While most associate the British with Indian colonization, the Brits aren’t the only Europeans with ties to India. The Goa region of the country was under Portuguese rule for over 400 years, only returning to Indian control in 1961. The Portuguese left a large cultural imprint on the area through food, music, architecture and faith. There are roughly 23 million Christians in India, and while many come from protestant beliefs, Catholicism is prevalent in Goa and its surrounding localities.
Language diversity in India
India is a multilingual nation with 22 official languages. It’s not uncommon for Indians to speak at least three languages…and there are those who speak more! Hindi is the most widely-spoken with over 400 million users. Bengali is used by over 83 million Indians and 74 million speak Telugu. Marathi is spoken by nearly 72 million people and Urdu by 51 million. A person could travel from the north of the country to the south and need a translator to communicate.
English language use in India
As a former British colony, English is widely used and taught in schools. It is estimated that there are over 125 million Indians who are highly proficient in English within the country. English is often mixed into varying Indo languages, and India is considered the second-largest English-speaking country in the world.
The coolie Diaspora
As the enslavement of Africans became taboo in most of Europe, the British, French and Dutch turned to India and indentured servanthood to replace slave labor. These Indians are often called Coolies.
These European nations exchanged one slave system for another and transported millions of Indian laborers to South America, Africa, South East Asia and Oceania.
Colonies such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago received the largest number of Indian indentured workers in the Western Hemisphere. Between 1835 and 1918, nearly 342,000 Indians arrived in Guyana and 144,000 in Trinidad. Thousands more were spread throughout other Dutch, French and British colonies in South America and the Caribbean. Many stayed in the area and created their own unique Indo-Caribbean cultures.
Indian people and culture are also prevalent throughout Africa. There are 1.3 million Indian-descent South Africans, over 100,00 in Kenya and thousands more across the continent—mainly in former British colonies. Some came as indentured servants, while others were merchants who set up businesses and established roots on the continent.
Countries like Malaysia, The Maldives, Fiji, New Zealand and Seychelles also have large populations of Coolie Indians that have very distinct cultures of their own.
current Indian migration patterns
Indians in the UK, Canada, Australia and the United States
As a former British colony, it is no surprise there are large Indian communities throughout the UK, Canada and Australia. In fact, India was still a colony during the Second World War, and over 2 million Indians fought with the Allies against the Axis forces. Many Indians migrated to the UK afterward. There are over 1.4 million persons of Indian heritage living in the United Kingdom, making them the largest ethnic minority. Nearly 7 percent of the population of London is ethnically Indian, and their presence is felt throughout the city.
There are over 1 million Canadians of Indian heritage— including Indo-Caribbeans—according to the official website of Canadian immigration. It is estimated that between 2018 and 2021, 225,000 more Indian citizens could become permanent residents— these figures do not include Indo-Caribbeans and Indo-Africans. More than 50 percent of Canada’s Indian citizens and residents are of Punjabi origin.
Indian migration to Australia continues to increase every year. In 2019, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported there are 660, 000 thousand Indians living in Australia, making them the third-largest migrant community in the country.
The United States is also home to a large population of Indians and Indo-Caribbeans. Lowly Institute determined there are 2.4 U.S. citizens of Indian heritage, and the largest concentration of Indian Americans live in the state of New Jersey. These numbers continue to increase as Indians in the tech field are drawn to the United States, and the figures do not include Indian permanent residents.
Indians in West Asia
The Gulf Arab states are also home to large Indian communities. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait have a combined Indian population of over 8.5 million. This includes citizens of Indian origin and non-resident Indians. A recent Middle East Institute article notes that India provides the region with its largest migrant communities.
41 Indian books for children your family will love:
1. Once upon a world: rapunzel
Who says Rapunzel has to have blonde hair and blue eyes? In this spin on the classic fairytale, Rapunzel is still the same girl locked in a tower, only this time she’s got black luscious hair, big black eyes and perfect dark-brown skin. Will she let the Indian prince on a horse climb up her hair and enter her tower? This beautiful book illustrated by the Indian author, Archana Sreenivasan, is perfect for all ages.
Watch this video on colorism and skin lightening in India.
Learn more about colorism in India.
Listen to this comedienne speak on her experience of being a dark-skinned Indian woman.
To purchase: Barnes & Nobel, $8.99
2. The Night Diary
At one time, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh were one country. After independence from British colonization, the country was divided into two: Pakistan and India (Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan). Pakistan held a Muslim-majority and India a Hindu majority. The Night Diary is set in 1947 about twelve-year-old Nisha, a half-Muslim, half-Hindu, living in what was once India. Nisha is scared and confused and doesn’t even know what country she belongs to anymore and must overcome many new hardships.
Watch this video on the conflict in Kashmir.
Watch this video on the splitting of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
To purchase: Target, $6.49
3. Sona and the Wedding Game
Sona and the Wedding Game is a favorite in our home! Sona’s big sister is getting married and keeping with wedding traditions, Sona must steal and hide the groom’s shoes to receive a special gift. With help from her cousin, Sona set out on a mission to steal the shoes. This book is filled with so many beautiful wedding traditions and customs that bring you deep into Indian culture. You and your family are sure to love it!
Watch this short video on an Indian wedding.
Watch this video on Hindu wedding traditions.
Watch this Muslim Indian wedding.
Watch this Punjabi wedding dance off.
Watch this Tamil wedding.
To purchase: Amazon, $16.95
4. Guyana’s Tasty Exotic: Foods Of Six Peoples
Guyana’s cultural blends aren’t “exotic” but were created by a complex weave of colonialism, chattel slavery, indentured servanthood, immigration and Indigenous people. Nearly 40 percent of the South American nation’s population is of East Indian heritage, most of whom are the descendants of the hundreds of thousands of indentured servants brought to work in the sugar cane fields. Their presence has undoubtedly impacted the national cuisine, taking Indian classics and giving them a unique, Caribbean twist. Indian curries are commonplace all over the country with classics like chicken curry and chana curry. Fritters such as bara and breads like roti and naan are national staples. Guyana’s Tasty Exotic is a celebration of foods from Guyana’s Indian, African, Indigenous, Portuguese, Chinese and British influences. Use this book to bring the flavors of Guyana’s Indian community into your home, and have fun in the kitchen with your kids!
Watch this Geography Now! episode on Guyana to learn more about the country, its people and history.
Watch this documentary on East Indians brought to South America and the Caribbean.
Listen to this Coolie song, a mix of Caribbean dancehall with Indian beats.
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $41. 99
5. The Happiest Tree: A yoga story
Meena was chosen to be a tree in her class rendition of Little Red Riding Hood, but she soon becomes filled with fear because she doesn’t feel graceful and calm enough to play a tree. Meena becomes plagued by worry, but the owner of the local Indian market persuades her to sign up for a children’s yoga class, and she embarks on a journey towards self-confidence.
Learn the history of yoga.
Learn the purpose of yoga.
To purchase: Lee & Low Books, $10.95
6. A Puzzling Tour Of India
Take a trip to India through puzzles, mazes and hidden objects. Filled with tons of geographical facts and history, this book is sure to keep your kids busy for hours!
Learn about the 2000-year-old labyrinth uncovered in India.
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $11.99
7. Pashmina
Pashmina is a self-discovery graphic novel about a comic book-obsessed young Indian girl living in Orange County, California. Priyanka desperately wants to connect with her mother’s homeland, but her mother refuses to speak about India or her father—she is forced to discover India through her imagination. One day, Priyanka finds a beautiful pashmina in her mother’s suitcase, she wraps herself in it and is magically transported to another land.
To purchase: Target, $11.69
8. Festival of Colors
Festival of Colors is a stunning children’s book about Holi, the Hindu festival of colors that celebrates forgiveness, new beginnings and friendship. Brother and sister, Mintoo and Chintoo, are looking for flowers to transform into color powder to throw at the Holi festival—they enjoy their special bonding time and are filled with laughter and excitement. When Holi finally arrives, they’re ready to spend the day surrounded by loved ones, and your child will have the opportunity to practice learning their English colors.
Watch this video of a Holi celebration.
To purchase: Target, $9.99
9. Super Satya saves the Day
Super Satya is an Indian-American story about a little girl, Satya, who’s ready to conquer the tallest slide at her New Jersey neighborhood’s park. Her day takes a sudden turn for the worst when she discovers that her superhero cape was still at the dry cleaners. Satya will have to channel her inner superhero without her cape and realize the power she already has within.
To purchase: Mango and Marigold Press, $19.99
10. Amal’s Ramadan
Amal lives in the United States and is learning more about Ramadan and Muslim traditions. In Amal’s Ramadan, things aren’t working out the way Amal has planned—he was excited to fast like his parents and grandparents but becomes dizzy. He isn’t sure if he can make it through the day without eating or drinking and feels discouraged. Through gentle lessons from his family, Amal realizes that tomorrow is a new day.
Watch this video on Indian iftar street food.
Watch this video on the rise of anti-Muslim violence in India.
Listen to Indian Muslims.
Learn about the Mughal rule in India.
Watch this video of an Indian family in the UAE share their Ramadan traditions.
Learn about India under its current prime minister, Narendra Damodardas Modi.
To purchase: Mango and Marigold Press, $19.99
11. The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk
This stunning tale brings an international spin on the classic children’s song, The Wheels on the Bus. Tuk Tuk’s are a common means of transportation across South and Southeast Asia, and The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk will take your toddler on a journey through the busy streets of India in these common taxis. The busy streets are filled with people, animals, and many sights and smells that make for an exciting trip!
Watch this video of a tuk tuk ride in New Dehli.
To purchase: Target, $11.59
12. Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala
Priya lives in the United States and has a close relationship with her grandmother. In Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala, Priya’s grandmother keeps their family traditions alive through cooking and her wonderful stories about India. Priya learns to weave her American life with her Indian culture through her loving bond with her grandmother.
Learn how to make Tikka Masala.
To purchase: Etsy (author’s shop), $17.95
13. my favorite sport: cricket
Soccer is, by far, the world’s most popular sport, but cricket is king in India! The sport was brought to the country during the British colonial period and is now more popular in India than in the UK itself. Beloved by billions of fans, cricket is truly India’s national past time.
Watch this on the history of cricket in India.
Learn about India’s financial dominance in cricket and its Indian Premier League.
Learn the rules of cricket.
Watch this video on the top 20 countries in cricket—you may be surprised to see who made the list!
To purchase: Amazon, $10.36
14. Kamala and maya’s big idea
Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea is an Indian children’s book based on vice president Kamala Harris and her sister, Maya, whose mother was South Indian and father Jamaican. The story is written by Maya’s daughter, Meena Harris. Kamala and Maya are clever sisters who love working together. One day while staring out the window of their apartment, the girls decide that the empty field right outside should be turned into a playground. It’s a really big idea, and they’re going to need to work together and get help from those around them. The girls write a letter to the landlord, get their neighbors and friends involved and learn lessons along the way.
Read this article about a mixed-race Briton whose mother is Jamaican-Brit and father a U.K.-born Indian.
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $18.99
15. a children’s history of india
A Children’s History of India is the perfect book for any budding global historians out there. This book takes your child from the history of some of India’s first cities to the British invasion, independence and the heroes who fought along the way. The book covers art, architecture and much more. Also included are “to do” activities to make learning interactive.
Watch this short video on the history of India.
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $22.99
16. my mother’s Saris
My Mother’s Saris is a tale of a daughter’s love and admiration for her mama, and her desire to wear her mother’s incredible clothes. The daughter loves to wrap herself in her mother’s beautiful garments, and the attire lifts her away to magical dream worlds. The daughter describes her mother’s saris as having the power to “fill the air with color”, and the book is a lovely reminder of the love daughter’s carry for their mothers. Also included are steps on how to wrap a sari.
Watch this video of regional sari styles from across India.
To purchase: Amazon, $7.40
17. A Brush With Indian Art
A Brush With Indian Art is a history of art and art techniques in the country. From Buddhist cave paintings to modern art, photographs and sketches, this is a complete book for children on Indian art. Your children will learn art, history, culture and more.
Watch this video on traditional Indian art.
Watch this video on famous Indian painters.
To purchase: Amazon, $12.95
18. Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth
Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth is a wonderful book based on Hindu mythology and the epic poem, Mahabharata. Ganesh breaks his tusk as his love of sweets leads him to bite a super jawbreaker thinking that it’s a traditional Indian dessert—assuming he would be safe because he was a god. With amazing illustrations and an epic story, your children are bound to love this book.
What this video on making Indian sweets from scratch.
To purchase: Target, $7.99
19. Diwali
Diwali is celebrated in India and all over the world and is the Hindu festival of lights. Each fall, families come together for five days to celebrate the victory of light over darkness by lighting candles, fireworks and more! Diwali is a beautiful touch-and-feel board book that is perfect for infants and toddlers. If you’re searching for a way to introduce new cultures to infants, Indian storybooks for babies are the perfect way to do so.
Watch this video on how Diwali is celebrated in Hinduism and other faiths.
Learn about the five days of Diwali.
To purchase: Abe Books, $15.68
20. grandma and the great gourd: a bengali folktale
Grandma and the Great Gourd is a heroic tale of a beloved Bengali woman who is affectionately known in her village as grandma. After receiving a letter from her daughter begging her for a visit, Grandma must outwit dangerous animals to cross the jungle to see her.
Watch this video on the top six big cats of India.
To purchase: Barnes & Nobel, $7.99
21. India for kids Workbook: states of india
India for Kids Workbook is an interactive and fun way to learn about history, geography, language and fun facts about the country. Filled with puzzles, games, word searches and quizzes, your children will become experts on the different states and regions within the country.
Watch this video on Indian states and territories.
To purchase: Amazon, $9.99
22. p is for poppadoms! An Indian alphabet book
P is for Poppdoms is a lively book that takes toddlers through the alphabet using Indian themes. Using the English alphabet, your toddler will learn the places, people, food, languages, animals and culture of India while practicing their letters.
Make your own poppadoms from scratch.
To purchase: Target, $13.69
23. Saffron, White and Green: The amazing story of India’s Independance
Freedom and sovereignty is something we all dream of. This desire is especially strong within marginalized peoples and those who have suffered under colonial and imperial rule. Saffron, White and Green is the story of India’s struggle for independence from British brutality and self-governed.
Watch this video on India’s independence.
Learn how British colonialism destroyed India.
Learn about the East India Company.
Learn how the British stole $45 trillion from India.
Learn more about the British conquest of India.
Listen to Indian voices on why the west should stop glorifying Winston Churchill.
Learn more about Winston Churchill’s murderous legacy in India.
Listen to these five quotes from Winston Churchill about India.
Learn how Winston Churchill is responsible for the deaths of millions of Indians by starvation.
Learn about more genocidal crimes committed by Winston Churchill.
To purchase: Amazon, $15.95
24. Thread of Love
Thread of Love is a beautiful story about the special bond siblings share. Set to the tune of Frère Jacques, Thread of Love takes you into the world of three siblings as they prepare to celebrate the Hindu festival, Raksha Bandhan, where sisters tie strings or amulets around the wrists of their brothers. The string symbolizes a sister's commitment to care for and protect their brothers.
Watch this brother and sister celebrate Raksha Bandhan.
To purchase: Target, $8.99
25. The clever tailor
The Clever Tailor is a wonderful Indian children’s book that reinforces the the idea of sustainability. When a poor tailor, Rupa Ram, goes to a wedding, he is given a beautiful headpiece called a saafa as a gift. He loves this saafa so much, that he wears it until it wears out. Instead of throwing it out, he creates a beautiful scarf for his wife; once she wears out the scarf, he uses the scraps to make a shirt for his son. Once the son’s shirt wears, Rupa Ram makes a beautiful doll for his daughter.
Check out this article on varying saafa styles.
Watch this video on secondhand clothes from the West make their way through India.
To purchase: Amazon, $11.83
26. Chaat and Sweets
Chaat and Sweets is a lovely book geared towards toddlers that introduce them to Indian snack foods, chaat. This book is vibrant, filled with color and simple texts describing mouth-watering Indian snack foods. Give your toddlers exposure to new foods through books!
Learn to make a simple Chana Chaat.
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $7.99
27. Inside India: Amazing Historical Places
It might be obvious by now that I’m a huge fan of activity workbooks as a fun way to learn about people, places and things. Inside India is filled with maps, recipes, craft ideas, historical momuments, festivals and celebrations and so much more. Your children can test their knowledge with quizzes, do puzzles and learn new jokes and riddles.
Watch this video on famous monuments in India.
To purchase: Amazon, $11.53
28. Ahimsa
Set in 1942 India, Ahimsa is a young adult novel about a young girl and a country on the brink of freedom. Anjali’s mother joins the non-violence independence movement, and her life is turned upside down. She must give up her fine clothes and privileged life in an upper cast, and must even confront her own prejudices of those from other casts. The book details so much of authentic Indian life during this time in history, and if you’ve been looking for middle school books set in India, Ahimsa is the perfect for your young reader.
Watch this video on the history of India’s independence struggles.
Learn about the Salt March.
Learn about Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence.
Watch this video that questions Gandhi’s legacy.
Listen to more debates over Gandhi’s legacy.
To purchase: Lee & Low Books, $20.95
29. DADDY’S TURBAN
Daddy’s Turban is the story of a Sikh boy’s love for his father and his father’s dastar. He cannot wait to grow up so he can be just like his father, and his father wants him to grow slowly so that he can enjoy every moment with him. This powerful story about the love between a father and his son incorporates many elements of Sikh culture and practices and is written in both English and Punjabi.
Watch this video on Sikhism.
Watch this video on Sikh turban wrapping.
Watch this video on what not to say to a Sikh person.
To purchase: Amazon, $18.95
30. Divali rose
On the Caribbean island of Trinidad, the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, is called, Divali. Over 40 percent of Trinidad’s total population is of full or partial Indian heritage, and Divali is a national holiday celebrated all over the country. Divali Rose is a story of culture, family, traditions, honesty and character. Ricki is an Indo-Trinidadian boy who can’t wait for Divali to begin on his beautiful island home; his grandfather planted a rose bush and promises that they will bloom in the colors of Divali. One morning, Ricki accidentally breaks one of his grandfather’s rosebuds, and his grandfather believes that their new neighbors from India are the culprits. Ricki must find the courage to tell grandfather the truth.
Watch this video on a Divali celebration in Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain.
Listen to this Canadian-Indo Trinidadian speak on the West Indian Hindu experience.
To purchase: Abe Books, $22.09
31. Ticket to India
Looking for chapter books with Indian characters? Ticket to India is the perfect book for middle school readers. Sisters Maya and Zara take a family trip to India after the death of their grandmother. The girls take off on their own from Delhi to their grandmother’s childhood village in Northern India. The sisters are determined to find a chest of treasures left behind by their grandmother’s family as they fled from India to Pakistan during the Great Partition. This modern, coming-of-age story is packed full of adventure and gives a glimpse into Indian and Pakistani history.
Watch this short video on the partitioning of India.
Read this article on the bloody history of the creation of Pakistan and post-colonial India.
Watch this video of a man’s return to his hometown in Pakistan 70 years after the partitioning.
Listen to Muslims who chose to stay in India after the partitioning.
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $8.99
32. patterns of india: A Journey Through Colors, Textiles and the Vibrancy of Rajasthan
Take a journey to the Rajasthan region of India with this stunning picture book of color, fabrics, bangles and architecture. The crisp and vibrant photos will draw your children into the architecture of Rajasthan.
Watch this video of beautiful Rajasthan.
Watch this video on the top 10 cities in Rajasthan.
To purchase: Amazon, $20.12
33. Bucket of Blessing
Bucket of Blessing is based on an Indian myth and is the story of a heroic monkey who sets out on an adventure to bring rain to his village. The well and pond in the monkey’s village are dry because of the lack of rain when the monkey suddenly remembers that his mother once told him that dancing peacocks have the ability to make it rain. He leaves his home near the lush mountains to see if this is true, and what unfolds is a journey through India and a story the encourages children to help others.
To purchase: Target, $12.79
34. Leila in Saffron
Written by an Indo-Persian author, Leila in Saffron is the story of a little girl who is learning to love herself and discover the beauty of her culture. Leila discovers her cultural identity is an anchor of self-accceptance, and a special dinner at her grandmother’s home turns into a tranformative experience.
Watch this video on Indo-Persian culture.
Watch this video on Indo-Persian literature.
Listen to the Indo-Persian language, Proto.
To purchase: Target, $11.99
35. Finding Om
Anu is a young Indo-African girl learning important mindfulness lessons from her grandfather, Appuppa. Appuppa takes Anu on a personal journey of discovering the mantra, Om, and Anu learns that the universe is buzzing with life.
Learn about Indian South Africans who resisted against apartheid.
Learn about indenture servanthood, Indian immigration and anti-Indian discrimination laws in South Africa.
To purchase: Mango and Marigold Press, $19.95
36. How to create Mehndi designs
If you’re looking for a way to incorporate history, cultural learning and art for your children in a fun and creative way, then How to Create Mehndi Designs is the perfect book for you. My girls have been getting henna art on their hands since they were toddlers, and learning about the history of the art-form has been life-changing for them.
Watch this video on henna for a wedding.
Read about the history of the henna plant and Mehndi designs.
Buy this organic henna and let your children create henna designs.
For younger children, try these temporary tattoo markers as they are easier to use than actual henna paste. Let them get creative and try their own Mehndi designs.
Consider allowing your children to take this class on the history of henna around the world. My girls took it and loved it! They learned so much more about the history of henna, geography and designs used in different parts of Asia and Africa.
To purchase: Amazon, $5.99
37. Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas
Sadie’s mom is Indian and her dad, Ashkenazi Jewish. Her family serves dosas to celebrate Hanukkah and not latkes, and Sadie looks forward to making them every year. Join Sadie and her family as they venture to the Indian grocery store to find the ingredients they need to make dosas as they prepare to celebrate in their special way!
Learn about the history of Judaism in India.
Watch this video on the dwindling Jewish communities of India due to mass migration to the Holy Land.
Learn more about the history of India’s Jews.
Watch this video on the small Jewish community in Mumbai.
Read this article on the Muslim family who has cared for a synagogue in Kolkata for generations.
Watch this video on Delhi’s small remaining Jewish community.
Watch this video on Indian wedding customs in the Holy Land. Please ignore the narrator's obnoxious use of descriptive words!
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $16.99
38.she can you can: the A-Z book of Iconic Indian women
Representation matters! This wonderful collection of 26 iconic Indian women is perfect to teach boys and girls about history-making Indian women.
Watch this video on inspiring Indian women.
Watch this video on the top 10 female sports celebrities in India.
Watch this video on the top 10 businesswomen in India.
To purchase: Amazon, $11.35
39. Chai, Chaat & Chutney: A Street Food Journey Through India
Street food in India is legendary. In fact, many claim that India has some of the best street food in the world, and it is a source of national pride. This book takes you on a journey across the country through vibrant photos and flavorful recipes, into the heart of the best street food the country has to offer.
Watch this clip from the Netflix series “Street Food: Asia” on the importance of Indian street food.
Watch this video on the best street foods in Delhi.
Learn how to make mango chutney.
Watch this video on tea slavery.
Learn more about the brutal work conditions of Indian tea laborers.
Watch this street food vendor make authentic chai tea.
To purchase: Amazon, $25.01
40. That thing about bollywood
Sonali is an Indian-American middle schooler whose parents are on the verge of separating. Both Sonali and her little brother are struggling with the news. Her brother can’t stop crying and she can’t find a way to express her emotions. As she tries to figure out how to cope with new life changes, strange occurrences begin to happen. Every time Sonali is upset, she breaks out in a Bollywood-style song and dance…and so do the other people around her!
Watch this video of Bollywood dance scenes.
Watch this video of the top 20 Bollywood actors of all time. (according to whoever made the list)
Watch this video of one of India’s most famous actresses, Aishwarya Rai.
Watch this video about colorism in Bollywood.
Watch this list of non-Hindi Indian films.
Learn the history of Indian cinema.
Learn about India’s mental health crisis.
Listen to this Indian college student speak about her struggles with depression and anxiety.
Watch this video on South Asian mental health awareness.
Watch this short video on addressing depression in the UK’s South Asian community.
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $17.99
41. Haroun and the Sea of Stories
Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a wonderful tale written by the Indo-British literary master, Salman Rushdie. Twelve-year-old Haroun sets out on a magical quest to return the power of storytelling to his father. Filled with talking animals, magicians, danger and adventure, it is the perfect book for any fantasy literature-lovers.
Listen to Salman Rushdie speak on magical realism.
Watch this trailer for Salman Rushdie’s masterclass on storytelling and writing.
To purchase: Barnes & Noble, $14.99
What are your Favorite Indian Children’s books?
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Further reading:
47 Amazing Native American Children’s Books
How To Use Books To Give Your Children Global Experiences At Home
7 Simple Ways To Raise Your Children As Global Citizens Without Travel
12 Ways To Use Food To Give Your Children Global Experiences At Home
30 Revolutionary Asians And Pacific Islanders To Celebrate For AAPI Heritage Month
