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 25 of 44
The Squeaky Squirrel
Squeaky squirrel is a little sad His bushy tail is looking bad Once it was a shiny one Then someone used it As a baby’s bottlebrush! The Squeaky Squirrel [Illustration by Shinod AP] But he likes the baby So he’s no longer sad The baby’s mother has promised him a good bath!
The Lion Cub
The mama animals and birds of the jungle were having an argument of sorts. Actually, it was a game of showmanship, regarding their little ones. They were trying to find out which one of them had the largest litter. “I do,” said Mama Deer, and proudly displayed her brood of four sweet little deer. “No, no…look at mine. See how sharp their teeth are!” exclaimed Mama Jackal whose six cubs bared their fangs. All the animals who had assembled backed off a little, but Mama Jackal assured everyone they were only grinning....
Once they were Friends
There was a time when Madri, the cat, and Ketki, the mouse, were friends. They were such good friends that they lived in the same house. They played together, and went on hunts together too. Between the two, Ketki was the one with foresight. “Can you feel the chill in the air?” she asked her friend. “Winter is coming. And we haven’t saved any food! Let’s do it now or we will have to go hungry when winter sets in”....
Fluff, the Cat
Fluff, the cat is my own pet She’s cuddle-y and so soft She loves to feast on fish and milk And snooze upon the loft. Fluff is bright and really smart And so alert all day When she prowls around the house The mice just run away! Fluff, the Cat [Illustration by Anup Singh] (C) Swapna Dutta
Tea At The Dhaba
This story is from the book The Adventures of Rusty. Rusty is a 12-year-old boy and as you read on, you might think that he is very much a part of you! The book has two sections, and Tea at tha Dhaba is one of the stories of the second section called “Running Away”. Running away from school! It is not to be recommended to everyone. Parents and teachers would disapprove. Or would they, deep down in their hearts?...
The Grateful One
Appa, how did you become a Police Inspector?” Kartik asked his father. The two of them were sitting in their little garden on a lazy Sunday afternoon. “Before I tell you that let me tell you a story,” his father said. “Please Appa make it a long one. Your stories are always very short.” “Okay son, now listen. This is a tale of a twelve year old boy called Subbu. He was an orphan and he used to work in a Doctor’s house....
The Survivor
In the Indian ocean was a tiny island, no more than a mere speck on the globe. It was called Aranya. Its people were ruled by a wise and brave chief called Parvat. He was 60 years old. There was a beautiful garden right in the middle of the island. It was dotted with lush green trees bearing delicious fruits and beautiful flowers of every imaginable colour. Once a year on the first full moon night after the rains, the people of Aranya worshipped their deity, Bhumidev....
Mushir and the Magic Rickshaw
This story took place many years ago… not in a kingdom, not in a village, but in a small town called Kalpanagar. This is not a story of a prince, nor a farmer, but of a young school boy named Mushir, who, quite to his surprise, became a very special person for the townsfolk of Kalpanagar. Now we listen to the tale…. The summer of 1967 was blistering. The heat came in great waves and beat upon the flat tin roofs of the fifty or so houses in the small dusty town of Kalpanagar....
Summer fan
The fan turns slow On a hot airless night Like a bird without wings That has forgotten to fly. I look closely What a surprise! There are beads of sweat On the fan blades as well. The cooler and the cooled Are in the same state It’s going to be a tough summer At this rate. Summer fan [Illustration by Shinod AP]
Excerpts from 'A Parcel for the Postmaster'
Dak Babu had first come to Panarsa on transfer several years earlier. He had liked it so much that he stayed on. For the town he came from was noisy and crowded and he was never really happy in that hustle-bustle. In Panarsa there was perfect peace; it seemed as if the mountains which enclosed the little valley had been placed there especially to keep out the din and clamour. Moreover, Panarsa had trees whose tops touched the sky....