Nikhil and Jay feel sorry for Appa when he falls and hurts his ankle, but they make him feel better by playing Dayan, the Indian Board Game; litter-picking at the Clean and Green Club is great fun when the boys do it in the park with all their friends; one windy day Nikhil, Jay, Amma and Appa make kites and decorate them – and have a fantastic time flying them; Jay doesn’t like tidying up but he discovers that putting away his toys can be a fun game when he does it together with Nikhil! 

After reading the book, explore the different topics in the four stories - from wild gardens to board games, with the help of this discussion guide

Nikhil and Jay and Amma and Appa are off to India for the Christmas holidays to visit Chennai Granny and Grandad. In Grandad’s garden they are excited to see parrots and Chennai squirrels, a mango tree and a coconut tree. One day they go to the beach, play in the big waves and eat Granny’s Indian savoury snacks. The boys have their first Chennai Christmas, with mango-leaf decorations, Indian sweets for Father Christmas, a basket of beautiful Indian wooden toys – and a special Christmas star. And last but not least, the family see in the New Year the Indian way. They make a Welcome poster, Granny lights a lamp at midnight and they all eat Granny’s delicious Kesari as an Indian New Year treat.

After reading the book, explore the different topics and Nikhil & Jay’s culture with the help of this discussion guide.

Sona Sharma, who lives in India, learns all about school elections, the ups and downs of best friends, and how to choose what matters most in life.

When Miss Rao announces that there's going to be an election for Class Leader, Sona is excited to stand as a candidate – until she finds herself competing against her best friends, Joy and Renu. When the three girls fall out, Sona must decide what matters most – winning the election or proving herself to be a true friend indeed. With the support of her wise family, perhaps Sona can learn that there is often more than one way to be a winner.

After reading this book with your young reader, use this discussion guide to explore the topics in this story.

Sona Sharma combats climate change.
When Sona learns about the climate crisis at school and is very worried that no one is doing enough to combat it, she takes up the challenge herself. But Appa isn't amused when Sona throws out her baby sister's nappies and Thatha isn't happy when she tells him to get rid of his colour-coded plastic files. When Sona learns that many of the kolams – the traditional art that people draw in front of their homes to celebrate the winter months and the festival season – are not organic, she sets out to make some big changes by getting everyone involved.

Use this discussion guide to explore Indian culture, emotions and climate change with your young readers.

The Most Magnificent Me, illustrated by Sophie Bass and published byWalker Books is out in the US now.

This book talks about how we should celebrate our unique selves, we should not worry about what others think. And at the same time, we should accept as they are, in their own uniqueness.The entire story is told in verse form, metaphors abound and it’s a call for action for all of us to co-exist in this world of differences with generosity and acceptance.

As a young child, I was introduced to Swami Vivekananda’s speech in Chicago - where he talks about the arrogance of the word “TOLERANCE” and welcoming the word “ACCEPTANCE” - and that is the theme of this book.We should not only celebrate our special place in the world but also acknowledge and accept others to be whoever they want to be.

I hope you will use this discussion guide to talk about what you’ve read and discuss its meaning with empathy and generosity.

You Be You, You’re Good at that.

But Let me be Me, what else can I be?

You Be You, illustrated by Sophie Bass and published by  Walker Books is out in the UK now. 

This book talks about how we should celebrate our unique selves, we should not worry about what others think. And at the same time, we should accept as they are, in their own uniqueness.  The entire story is told in verse form, metaphors abound and it’s a call for action for all of us to co-exist in this world of differences with generosity and acceptance. 

As a young child, I was introduced to Swami Vivekananda’s speech in Chicago - where he talks about the arrogance of the word “TOLERANCE” and welcoming the word “ACCEPTANCE” - and that is the theme of this book.  We should not only celebrate our special place in the world but also acknowledge and accept others to be whoever they want to be. 

I hope you will use this discussion guide to talk about what you’ve read and discuss its meaning with empathy and generosity.

You Be You, You’re Good at that. 

But Let me be Me, what else can I be?