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 24 of 44
A Day in the Life of a Magician
Excerpts from ‘A Day in the Life of a Magician’. First published by Vigyan Prasar, India Years ago I gave up hanging up a stocking on Christmas Eve. One reason is that I have no stockings to hang, because I almost always wear trousers, and even when I wear shorts I wear socks with them so as to make my calves brown. And I don’t think Father Christmas would find room in a sock for all the things I want....
Pardon My Garden
Pardon my garden, it’s vicious today! The cucumber’s going quite mad — The onions and peas Just do as they please, The pumpkin is awfully bad. The squash and the sprout are rushing about As if they’re preparing for war, I just got a scare from a peach and a pear — The apple is vile to the core! Pardon my garden, it’s vicious today! There’s tori-chori below. The corn and the bean are having a scene —...
The Jester and the Stranger's Language
Maharaja Krishna Chandra was the king of Bengal during the middle ages. It was customary for kings in those days to patronise talented people. So every king had his own court poets, artists, singers, town planners, architects and what have you. And plenty of ministers to advise him on different matters. And every king had a court jester. The jester was a very important person for his ability to make people laugh and feel happy. The king had a lot of serious work to do, lots of difficult problems to solve and deal carefully with rival kings!...
Jaipur: Sawai Jai Singh's Golden Dream
The only planned city of its time, Built by Sawai Jai Singh in his prime, Constructed with pink sandstones pretty, It’s our own Jaipur city. It was the emperor’s vision, It was Jai Singh’s dream and ambition, constructed in the beautiful nine-grid pattern, one for each planet, Mercury to Saturn. The Jantar Mantar of astronomical size, Is really Jaipur’s finest prize. Jaipur: Sawai Jai Singh’s Golden Dream [Illustrations by Kusum Chamoli] And the Hawa Mahal which represents Shri Krishna’s crown,...
The Palm Reader
Hari Prasad was the most sought-after man in the marketplace. A palmist rumoured to be the best in the area, he lived-off people’s hands as he was believed to possess superior qualities of prediction. All he had to do was stare at the faint little criss-crossing lines on someone’s palm for a little while and bingo, the client would listen astounded, as the palmist laid his life history bare before him. The Palm Reader [Illustration by Shinod AP] The client would return home somewhat dazed by what he thought were the amazing powers of the astrologer....
Naughty Kit
Minty is a naughty kit Tell her ‘stand’ – she’s sure to sit She laps up milk without a trace But give her curds, she’ll turn her face! Minty is a naughty kit Tell her ‘come’ and she’ll just quit Tell her ‘Run!’ – she’ll sleep all day Call her – and she’ll run away! Naughty Kit [Illustration by Anup Singh] (C) Swapna Dutta
Follow the Leader
Chimpoo has a balloon. It is a BIG balloon! It is a BIG, RED balloon! It is a BIG, RED, ROUND balloon! Chimpoo has a LITTLE dog. His name is Chutku. Chutku loves Chimpoo. Chutku loves to PLAY with Chimpoo. There is a BIG, BLACK cat! Chutku does not like the cat! There is a TINY, GREY mouse. The BIG, BLACK cat does not like the TINY, GREY mouse! Follow the Leader [Illustrations by Shiju George] Cat loves Chimpoo....
Runu and Chotu
A June morning. Holiday morning. “Fun! fun!” Runu thought as she woke up. No school, lots of cartoons on TV, computer games, and surely, a trip to the ice cream parlour. Fun, fun indeed! Runu gulped down her chocolate milk. Mom and Dad came in to pet her. Dad said, “Sorry baby, but we have to go see someone who is ill, can’t take you out today.” Seeing Runu pull a long face, Mom said, “I’ll leave the computer on for you, and your favourite CDs....
Glimpses from Gandhi's Life
Stories From Bapu’s Life Written by Uma Shankar Joshi Illustrations by Mickey Patel Published by National Book Trust, New Delhi Gandhiji’s intellectual influence on Indians has been considerable. Some were attracted by his emphasis on political and economic decentralisation, others by his insistence on individual freedom, moral integrity, unity of means and ends, and social service; still others by his satyagraha and political activism. Glimpses from Gandhi’s Life [] For some students of India, Gandhi’s influence is responsible for its failure to throw up any genuinely radical political movement....
The Fox and the Grapes
Fitru fox was in a relaxed mood. He had no work that day. Since it was a holiday, the farmer was at home guarding his chickens. There was no way Fitru could reach them. Luckily, there was some food left over from the previous night. Life was beautiful. He closed his eyes for a moment. The Fox and the Grapes [Illustrations by Shridevi] When he opened his eyes he found himself looking at one, two and three bunches of luscious grapes, and got excited....