CHILDREN’S BOOKS
for readers aged 10+
Tales from the Kathasaritsagara
by SOMADEVA
Adapted and retold by Rohini Chowdhury
With an introduction by Namita Gokhale
Do you know the story of Phalabhuti, who narrowly escaped a grisly fate? Or of the kind-hearted Jimutavahana, who was willing to give his life to save a snake from death? Or of young Shringabhuja, who married a rakshasa's daughter? These are just some of the tales that make up Somadeva's Kathasaritsagara , a classic work of Sanskrit literature that is full of memorable characters. Within the pages of this book, you will encounter demons and demigods, faithful guards and foolish villagers, golden swans, magic pots and even automatons made of wood!
Suitable for readers of all ages.
‘Kathasaritsagara, as rendered by Rohini Chowdhury, is a delightful collection of stories for young readers. It beautifully showcases our rich heritage and the many treasures of Sanskrit literature.’ — VISHAL BHARDWAJ.
ISBN: 9780143445920
Publisher: Puffin Books, Penguin Random House India, 2019
Panchatantra
by VISHNUSHARMA
Translated by Rohini Chowdhury, with an introduction by Nilanjana S. Roy
Timeless fables, now in a classic collector's edition.
Composed in Sanskrit around 300 CE, the Panchatantra is one of the oldest collections of fables in the world. It is not only a masterly treatise on politics and government, and a manual for conducting our daily lives with wisdom and common sense, but devised to educate the three dull-witted sons of a king in the ways of the world, it was also a revolutionary and successful experiment in teaching young people.
Rohini Chowdhury's complete and vibrant translation brings to you the full breadth of the ancient work. As each story unravels into several more, a motley group of creatures educate and entertain in crisp rhymes and delightful prose.
Suitable for readers of all ages.
ISBN: 9780143334330
Publisher: Puffin Books, Penguin Random House India, 2017
Sachin Tendulkar: The Little Master
by Rohini Chowdhury
Illustrated by Soumya Menon
A look at the life of the Indian cricketing superstar, Sachin Tendulkar.
Sachin Tendulkar’s small, 5’ 5” frame dominated not just Indian, but world, cricket, for a quarter of a century. He was admired by his fellow-cricketers, adored by his fans, and revered, even worshipped by millions of his countrymen. He played in a record 200 test matches, in which he scored 15,921 runs, the highest ever scored by any batsman, hitting 51 tons and 68 half-centuries. He played 463 one-day International matches (ODIs), more than anyone else, in which he scored 18,426 runs, becoming the only player to cross 18,000 runs, hitting 49 centuries and 96 fifties. The list of Sachin’s achievements in cricket goes on and on and can fill a small book. He holds a place in cricket that is second perhaps only to that other legend, the Australian cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman.
Part of Scholastic India's Great Lives series, the book is a delightful and easy-to-read mix of text and graphics.
ISBN: 9789351038627
Publisher: Scholastic India, 2015
Verghese Kurien: The Milkman of India
by Rohini Chowdhury
Illustrated by Dhruva Rao
Can one man change the face of a nation?
Read the life of Verghese Kurien, who was known as the Milkman of India. Almost single-handedly, he changed the dairy industry in India, taking India from being a milk-deficit nation to the largest producer of milk and milk products in the world. His work impacted for the better the lives of hundreds of thousands of rural families, particularly women. He is also the man behind Amul, possibly India’s best-known and best-loved brand of dairy foods.
Part of Scholastic India’s Great Lives series, the book is a delightful and easy-to-read mix of text and graphics.
Shortlisted in the Best Book, Non-Fiction category of The Hindu-Young World-Goodbooks Awards for children’s books from India in 2016.
ISBN: 9789351032779
Publisher: Scholastic India, 2014
The Garden of the Djinn
by Rohini Chowdhury
A fantasy novel
When the Princess of Aleya set out to search for the mysterious Moonflower, she brought upon her people the curse of the Djinn.
Dadu, Juno’s beloved grandfather, went looking for the Princess but disappeared. Now, war is brewing between the Aleyans and the Djinn and, according to an ancient prophecy, only Juno can help. Accompanied by the brave Aleyan warriors Niyati and Ahan and a grumpy, talking Map she flies fast towards the Garden of the Djinn, encountering many enchanted creatures on the way including a telepathic merlion and an amnesiac Star Sprite. Juno must outwit the Djinn and end the war. If she fails, she may never see her Dadu again, and the people of Aleya will be doomed forever!
Packed with action and adventure, The Garden of the Djinn is a thrilling tale that will captivate readers.
ISBN: 9788129129307
Publisher: Red Turtle, Rupa Publications, 2013
Gautama Buddha: The Lord of Wisdom
by Rohini Chowdhury
The fascinating story of the life of Gautama Buddha - from his youth as a privileged prince to his renunciation of the world and attainment of nirvana; how his teachings changed all those who came in contact with him; and the tumultuous lives of people and kingdoms in ancient India
Gautama’s ideas went against the established beliefs of centuries. His teachigs did not rely on the idea of a Supreme God or gods who could rescue humanity from its sorrows; instead he believed that nirvana lay within each person, and could be achieved by following the right path.
Even though he was one of the most influential men who ever walked the earth, very little is known about the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the man we call the Buddha. His teachings were followed for 1,500 years in India, and became the guiding principles of life for both rich and poor, high-born and low-caste. Today, the religion he founded is follwed all over the world.
Here is the fascinating story of his life – from his youth as a privileged prince to his renunciation of the world and attainment of nirvana; how his teachings changed all those who came in contact with him; and the tumultuous lives of people and kingdoms in ancient India.
ISBN: 9780143331773
Publisher: Puffin Books, Penguin Books India, 2011
White Tiger
by Rohini Chowdhury
An adventure novel
When Dev, Diti and Avi are sent to live with their father’s friend in Ratnapur, a remote village by a forest, they find themselves in a whole new world. They make new friends, sight their first tiger and explore the mysteries of the wild. Then one day a tigress is shot dead and the children are caught in a web of intrigue as they join the hunt for her killer.
Full of fascinating details about life in the jungle, this racy story will leave you growling for more.
ISBN: 9780143335320
Publisher: Puffin Books, Penguin Books India, 2006
Mathemagic 2: The Most Powerful Number of Them All
by Rohini Chowdhury
Illustrated by Anil K.S.
"Zero is very special. There is no other number quite like it in the universe." So says Sir Tzyphyr.
Sir Tzyphyr is no ordinary Wizard – he knows mathemagic, the spell of numbers. It gives him a power greater than ordinary magic ever could.
Join him as he takes the twins, Megha and Mehul, on a second exciting journey into the magical world of numbers. This time they find out all they can about that most special and mysterious of numbers, ZERO!
The second book in the Mathemagic series by Puffin Books, this is a delightful introduction to the world of mathematics.
ISBN: 9780143332077
Publisher: Puffin Books, Penguin Books India, 2012
Translated into Tamil as Persiavin Moonru Ilavarasargal: Ulaga Ithigasangalil Kuzhanthaigal, by Sasikala Babu.
ISBN: 9789387333185.
Publisher: Ethir Veliyedu, January 2018