Multicultural children’s literature from across the world – stories, poems, folktales and books in English for kids, and stories in Hindi and poems in Hindi too. Original literature in English for kids from around the globe and book reviews and recommended reading lists for children.
432 items in this section. Displaying page 12 of 44
The Magical Sunglasses
It was a hot summer afternoon during the holidays and Ma was taking a nap. Deepak was bored. He came upon a naughty idea. Boys are like that. When they want to be naughty, they have to be naughty. So Deepak, in his naughty mood, decided to do what Ma had told him never to do. He decided to open Grandpa’s black wooden box that lay in the guest-room. It was a lovely old, square box with brass hinges....
Tilak and Sudhir
“Guess what, Tilak!” his mother said, a week after they had moved into their new house. “I’ve discovered that one of my old friends lives nearby and her son is your classmate at school. Isn’t that nice?” “What’s his name?” Tilak asked. “I think he is Sudhir,” said his mother. “Isn’t he your friend?” Tilak shook his head. “Oh! Sudhir? That chap isn’t good at games or anything. He keeps reading some old books all the time....
The Fleeting Deer
The deer runs fast With nimble feet By lucky chance You may just meet! Sweet deer, do pause Beneath the tree- Won’t you please Make friends with me? The Fleeting Deer [Illustration by Anup Singh]
The Rich Man's Vessels
Once upon a time there lived a rich man in a village in Kerala. His house was full of vessels of all sizes – some as small as a bird, others big enough to seat a child. Whenever there was a ceremony in any household, the villagers would borrow his utensils. After the function, they would return the whole lot of vessels to the rich man. Then one day, a strange thing happened. A villager who had borrowed some utensils, returned a couple more than he had borrowed....
Five Little Chickens
Said the first little chicken, With a queer little squirm, “Oh, I wish I could find A fat little worm!” Said the next little chicken, With an odd little shrug, “Oh, I wish I could find A fat little bug!” Said the third little chicken, With a sharp little squeal, Five Little Chickens [] “Oh, I wish I could find Some nice yellow meal!” Said the fourth little chicken, With a faint little moan,...
The Ride to Bondage
Chintu and Gullu were very, very excited. They were going to ride camels! Both of them worked in a fireworks factory where they made firecrackers for Diwali and other festivals. Their meagre earnings helped their families to make life worth living. Now their lives would totally change. Mr. Ali had seen to that. Mr. Ali was Chintu’s father’s new friend. He lived far, far away. He had told Chintu’s father that Chintu was exactly right for riding camels — the right size and the right weight....
Preparing for Winter
Autumn was coming to an end. All the insects and animals were working very hard to stock their larders with enough food to last them the winter. They all knew that winter time would be tough – it would be cold and food would be scarce. As it would get dark really soon, it would be difficult to go looking for food. Therefore, everyone was working hard, all except Mr Grasshopper. He loved autumn. Autumn was a time when the leaves changed colour....
Count that Day Lost
If you sit down at set of sun And count the acts that you have done, And, counting, find One self-denying deed, one word That eased the heart of him who heard, One glance most kind That fell like sunshine where it went – Then you may count that day well spent But if, though all the livelong day, You’ve cheered no heart, by yea or nay – Count that Day Lost [Illustration by Anup Singh] If, through it all...
The Fox and the Goat
Dabbu the fox was in a happy frame of mind. He had just made a hearty meal of the remains at King Lion’s den after the great king had gone out for a stroll. The meal had been fresh deer and it was smacking good. If only luck like this shone upon him every day, thought Dabbu. Thinking such thoughts, Dabbu looked up at the clear sky and began to sing as he walked. He had watched Hindi film heroes do that when they were happy....