THE GREAT REPUBLIC DAY SALE IS LIVE – this is the link for books on discounts! And we all are super excited about it!
TODAY’S DEALS CAN BE FOUND HERE. Happy shopping!!
Every day our members share their children’s current reads and recommendations. This is how the year started…
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes for 8-12 years (80 pages) – Sreyoshi’s 7yo Rishy really liked SADAKO and she shared a post in the kbc fb group. Quoting her: “Rishy recently had brought this book from school and read before winter break started. I was packing their school bags this weekend and read it, it moved me deeply; and I made a paper crane (which was quite hard for me actually, my brain and fingers do not quite get origami easily!)”
BOARD BOOKS
Cows by Nandini Majumdar published by Eklavya (10 pages)
PICTURE BOOKS
What’s for Lunch? A Funny Story about Food and Friendship for 1-4 years
The Great Dog Bottom Swap for 3-6 years (32 pages). This hilarious picture book has been shortlisted for the Sheffield Book Award, the Best Children’s Illustrated Book Award and the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
Dogs In Disguise: A fantastically funny rhyming story, perfect for dog lovers! for 3-6 years (32 pages)
Cats In Chaos: A laugh-out-loud rhyming story, perfect for cat lovers! for 3-6 years (32 pages)
How Long Is That Dog?: by John Bond. A witty and heartwarming story of one girl and a dog she really really wants for 3-6 years (32 pages). The author has written several other funny books!
The Dog is Full of Love: 30 Poems About How We Love Dogs and They Love Us for 5-9 years (48 pages)
The Great Balloon Hullaballoo by Peter Bentley (32 pages)
Princesses Break Free for 3-7 years (40 pages)
Be Normal: Why be normal . . . when you can be yourself? by Ged Adamson (32 pages)
Mahima Sinha has shared some books to help kids step out of their comfort zone and try new things in our kbc fb group. Quoting her:
1. Heart takes the lead by Scott Stuart for 3 to 7 years
A delightful story about the tussle between heart and the brain. Heart wants to do things that bring joy and brain only wants to play it safe. Brain prevails and heart breaks. There is no joy anymore, only structure. Until one day, brain finds the courage to listen to heart, agrees to try to play an instrument and finds joy again. An empowering read that encourages children to listen to their heart. Adorable artwork and great rhymes are a bonus!
2. The creature of habit by Jennifer E. Smith for 3 to 7 years
Meet a little creature who likes things exactly the way they are. Same routine. Every single day. A new friend gently nudges this creature out of his comfort zone. Eventually the creature discovers that maybe, just maybe, trying something new isn’t so scary after all. The story reassures little readers that it’s okay to love routine but growth often begins with one small, brave step.
3. Fantastic elastic brain by JoAnn Deak for 4 to 8 years
Fantastic Elastic Brain is a wonderful introduction to the idea that our brains can grow stronger and smarter every time we try something new. Using simple, child-friendly language, JoAnn Deak explains how the brain stretches and forms new connections when we learn, practice, and even make mistakes. The concept of neuroplasticity is made beautifully accessible, empowering children to see challenges not as failures, but as opportunities.The message is clear and powerful: Mistakes help your brain grow.
MY BEST FRIEND ISN’T MY FRIEND ANYMORE : A Story Exploring the Sadness of Changing Friendships by Varun Duggirala for 4-6 years (36 pages). Other books in this series by the same author include:
I DID A BOO BOO : A Book about Learning from Mistakes and Bouncing Back!
SMALL BODY, BIG FEELINGS : A Book about Managing Big Feelings
Life Skills Series-Daisy and the Trip to Fastland: Patience, Self-control & Emotional Growth I Ages 4/5-6 years (32 pages). There are many other books in this LIFE SKILLS SERIES by Penguin Books.
Mahima shared a few lovely books that celebrate courage, confidence, and girl power for our little women in the kbc fb group. Excerpts from her post:
“1. The Footballing Fairy by Elli Woollard for 3 to 7 years (32 pages)
Not all fairies love glitter and graceful flying, some love football.
This playful story follows a fairy who would much rather be on the pitch scoring goals than doing traditional fairy things. Through lively rhymes and energetic illustrations, the book celebrates following your passions and embracing what makes you different. Especially sports.
2. Dear Girl by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal for 3 to 8 years (40 pages)
A gentle, uplifting book that celebrates all the wonderful ways there are to be a girl. Through warm and encouraging messages, it reminds young readers that it’s okay to be strong or soft, loud or quiet, brave or unsure. Every version of them is enough.
Simple, heartfelt, and full of reassurance, the book feels like a loving letter every child deserves to hear. A must have.
3. What Are Little Girls Made Of? by Jeanne Willis and Isabelle Follath for 2 to 6 years (32 pages)
The book reimagines classic nursery rhymes for a modern world. Subtitled ‘Nursery rhymes for feminist times’, the book playfully rewrites familiar nursery rhymes with strong, confident girls at the centre. It replaces outdated stereotypes with messages of courage, curiosity, and independence celebrating all the bold, brilliant things little girls can be made of.
4. Asha the Auto Driver by Aruna Shekhar for 2 to 5 years
A heartwarming story about Asha, an auto-rickshaw driver in Bombay. The book follows her through a typical week, giving young readers a glimpse into her everyday adventures and the people she meets along the way.
Through simple, engaging storytelling, the book gently challenges the stereotype that women cannot drive or work as drivers. The message comes through naturally, never preachy, making it a light, enjoyable read for little children.
5. Amma’s Toolkit by Nandini Nayar for 1 to 4 years published by PRATHAM BOOKS. Only kbc members have an exclusive discount coupon code KBCPB10 which gives you flat 10% off on a minimum order of Rs 500.
A lighthearted and simple story about Mini and Tara’s rockstar Mamma.
When their father accidentally breaks a tap and the house is flooded with water, no one seems to know how to stop it. That’s when Mamma steps in pulling out her trusty toolkit and calmly fixing the problem.
Through a fun and relatable situation, the book subtly delivers an empowering message: girls can use tools, solve problems, and fix anything.
6. The Girl Who Wouldn’t Stay Within the Lines by Vinitha for 5 to 8 years (36 pages)
A wonderful introduction to the life of the remarkable Bhikaji Cama.
As a child, little Bhikaji was constantly told what girls should and shouldn’t do. But Munni refused to stay within those lines. Curious, courageous and independent in her thinking, she grew up to become an important voice in India’s freedom struggle.
The book celebrates questioning norms, thinking for yourself and standing up for what you believe in. A powerful story of a girl who dared to go beyond the lines drawn for her.
7. Damsel Not in Distress by Bethan Stevens for 3 to 6 years (32 pages)
A fun, witty twist on classic fairy-tale tropes. In this playful story, the princess certainly isn’t waiting around to be rescued. Instead, she ends up saving the knight in shining armour, Prince Charming and even the gnome who set out to rescue her!
With humour and lively illustrations, the book cleverly flips the traditional ‘damsel in distress’ narrative and celebrates brave, capable girls who can take charge of their own adventures.
8. Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes her mark by Debbie Levy for 5 to 10 years (40 pages)
A biography of the life of the remarkable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The book highlights how RBG challenged unfair treatment as a woman at every stage in life and broke every barrier.
It also sets a fantastic example for little girls to own their ‘No’ and dissent comfortably!
A personal favourite.”
EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS
Super Turbo Saves The Day! for 5-9 years (118 pages). There are other exciting books in this SUPER TURBO series!
Horrible Harry in Room 2B: 1 for 7-9 years (64 pages). There are many other books in this HORRIBLE HARRY series.
V. Malar: Greatest Host of All Time for 7-11 (128 pages) . Sindhuja has shared a detailed review and inside pages here in the kbc fb group. Excerpt: “This book turned out to be an absolute treasure.
The story revolves around Malar, a little girl living in a small village called Pori on the banks of the river Cauvery in Tamil Nadu. She is excited that Pongal is just around the corner, but also a little anxious—this year, her cousins from Seattle are coming to celebrate the festival with them. Having never been to Pori before, Malar worries about whether she will connect with them or get along with them. Her mother reminds her that in India, guests are considered equal to God, and Malar decides to be the best host she can be.
Initially, Malar finds her cousins condescending and annoying, as they constantly brag about Seattle and undermine Pori. But slowly, things begin to change. The children bond, discover common ground, and eventually become the best of friends. The story is beautifully woven around the traditions of the Pongal festival, capturing every detail of the four days of celebration without missing a beat.
This was the first time my daughter asked me to save the last chapter because she didn’t want the book to end. She didn’t want the children to leave Pori or be separated. I was genuinely surprised by how deeply the book impacted her. Despite being a Tamilian myself, I haven’t experienced Pongal as it is celebrated in villages. My daughter kept asking, “Mum, how come we don’t do any of these fun things? City Pongal is so boring.”
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Hilo: Gina The Girl Who Broke the World: A bestselling graphic novel series for 8-12 years (224 pages). You can find many other books in this HILO series.
CHAPTER BOOKS
Let’s Talk About Trees by Roopa Pai (144 pages)
Meerkat Madness Flying High (Awesome Animals) for 7-11 years (208 pages). Spriha’s current favourite. Mona has shared an interesting post on why Spriha enjoys this book here in the kbc fb group. There are other books in the Meerkat Madness as well as Awesome Animals series.
Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible: 1 for 8-12 years (256 pages). There are other books in the HAMSTER PRINCESS series.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown for 9-11 years (288 pages). There are more books in this series.
Richmal Crompton’s William Brown series for 9-12 years. Quoting author Keshava Guha who loved this series as a kid “They’re still the funniest children’s books ever, with an anarchic protagonist who is at war with the hypocrisy and mindless conformity of the adult world. The fact that Enid Blyton is widely read but Crompton is out of fashion is depressing beyond measure.”
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger (series enjoyed by Harry Potter fans) for 11-12 years – recommended by many of our members.
YOUNG ADULT (YA)
Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars for 12-16 years (200 pages) – Award finalist
Project Hail Mary: The Sunday Times bestseller from the author of The Martian, Andy Weir for 14 years+ (200 pages). The movie is releasing on March 26th in India!!
The Inheritance Games: International YA Mystery Bestseller | Gripping Thriller of Secrets, Puzzles & High-Stakes Inheritance in a Billionaire’s Mansion for 14 years+ (400 pages). There are other books in THE INHERITANCE GAMES series.
THE INHERITANCE GAMES ULTIMATE COLLECTION: The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, The Final Gambit & The Brothers Hawthorne | MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING YA MYSTERY SERIES | Twists, Secrets & Drama – works out to be more economical!
ACTIVITY BOOKS
Preschool Cutting and Pasting (Highlights Learn on the Go Practice Pads) for 3-5 years (64 pages)
NON FICTION
Amber Fort (DK Eyewitness Travel Monuments Of India) – 24 pages. There are many other books in this DK Eyewitness Travel Monuments Of India series.
Know Your Forts – an interactive book on Forts of Maharashtra.
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