Best Indian books for kids
The best Indian books for kids include Amma, Tell Me About Diwali!, Malgudi Schooldays and Swami and Friends. Stories set in India help children in India see themselves in books, and help NRI children stay close to their roots.
12 books, checked for age-appropriate content. Updated .
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken.
- 1
Ages 4–8
Amma, Tell Me About Diwali!
by Bhakti Mathur; illustrated by Maulshree Somani
Join Klaka and his brother Kiki as their mother explains the magic behind Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Told in lively rhyming verse, the story explores the celebrations—from lighting diyas and bursting fireworks to sharing sweets—alongside the classic legend of Prince Rama defeating Ravana and returning home. With vivid, colorful illustrations, it offers young children an engaging introduction to cultural traditions and folklore.
- 2
Ages 9–14
Malgudi Schooldays
by R.K. Narayan
Ten-year-old Swaminathan navigates the ups and downs of childhood in the charming fictional town of Malgudi in colonial India. Between dodging strict teachers, dreaming about cricket matches with his friends, and getting tangled in small daily rebellions, Swami finds everyday life full of drama and amusement. R.K. Narayan captures the innocence, humour, and fleeting anxieties of school days with warm, gentle storytelling that young readers will easily relate to.
- 3
Ages 10–14
Swami and Friends
by R.K. Narayan
Ten-year-old Swaminathan navigates school, friendship, and childhood mischief in the charming fictional South Indian town of Malgudi during the British colonial era. Swami would rather play cricket, wander the streets, and dream up schemes with his lively group of classmates than sit in a classroom doing homework. Filled with gentle humor and warmth, the story captures the innocent joys, minor dramas, and relatable anxieties of growing up, offering young readers a delightful glimpse into childhood life in a bygone India.
- 4
Ages 6–11
The Gopi Diaries
by Sudha Murty
Told entirely from the innocent, curious perspective of a Golden Retriever pup named Gopi, this heartwarming story follows his arrival into a loving Indian household. As Gopi explores his new surroundings, he learns about human habits, bonds with family members, and gets into gentle mischief. With simple language, warm illustrations, and genuine affection throughout, it gives children a lighthearted look at family life through the eyes of an energetic pet.
- 5
Ages 8–12
The Blue Umbrella
by Ruskin Bond
In a small village nestled in the hills of Garhwal, young Binya trades her leopard-claw necklace for a stunning, bright blue silk umbrella. Her new possession quickly becomes the talk of the town, drawing admiration from her neighbours and intense envy from the local shopkeeper, Ram Bharosa. This gentle, beautifully told novella captures the rhythm of Himalayan mountain life while exploring jealousy, human nature, and the true meaning of kindness. Children will relate to the desire for cherished things and the warmth of community.
- 6
Ages 6–11
The Cherry Tree
by Ruskin Bond
Set in the Himalayan foothills, this gentle story follows young Rakesh, who plants a single cherry seed in his grandfather's garden. Over the years, through harsh winters, grazing goats, and careless grass cutters, Rakesh and his grandfather patiently care for the stubborn little sapling. Children love the quiet wonder of watching something grow against the odds, and the warm bond between grandson and grandfather makes this an uplifting, reassuring read about patience and the beauty of nature.
- 7
Ages 9–11
Save Me a Seat
by Sarah Weeks & Gita Varadarajan
Fifth-graders Ravi and Joe couldn't seem more different. Ravi recently moved to America from India and expects to be at the top of his class, while Joe has an auditory processing disorder and struggles to blend in. Over the course of a single week, both boys become targets for the class bully and realise they have far more in common than they thought. Told in alternating chapters, this thoughtful story explores culture, belonging, and standing up for yourself, offering relatable school drama that resonates with young readers.
- 8
Ages 6–11
Moin and the Monster
by Anushka Ravishankar
When young Moin hears strange noises coming from under his bed, he discovers a peculiar monster that demands to be drawn. The monster insists on being sketched just right, but soon moves in, developing a huge appetite for bananas and an unruly habit of singing. Moin must find a way to keep his bizarre, noisy new companion hidden from his parents and teachers. Children will love the quirky illustrations, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and playful chaos of this entertaining early chapter book.
- 9
Ages 6–10
Grandma's Bag of Stories
by Sudha Murty
When seven cousins spend their summer holidays visiting their grandparents in a village in Karnataka, they gather around their grandmother every afternoon to hear tales from her magical bag of stories. The collection includes lively fables about clever animals, wise kings, mischievous tricksters, and timeless moral lessons. Filled with gentle warmth, humor, and the comforting atmosphere of family life, this book introduces young readers to classic Indian storytelling traditions that are easy to follow and thoroughly engaging.
- 10
Ages 8–12
Amma, Take Me To The Golden Temple
by Bhakti Mathur
Join young brothers Shiv and Veer as their mother takes them on a journey to the iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar. Through engaging conversation and colorful illustrations, this book introduces children to the history of Sikhism, the lives of the ten Gurus, and the traditions of service like the community kitchen (langar). It offers an approachable and warm cultural exploration that makes Indian heritage and religious history easy and enjoyable for young readers to discover.
- 11
Ages 10–14
A Children's History of India in 100 Objects
by Devika Cariapa
This engaging guide takes readers on a chronological journey through India's past by examining one hundred fascinating artifacts, from prehistoric tools and Indus Valley seals to modern currency and cinema posters. Each object tells a distinct story about the daily lives, beliefs, and artistic traditions of the people who made and used it. Richly illustrated and accessible, it turns history into an exciting archaeological treasure hunt that sparks curiosity in young readers.
- 12
Ages 12–14
A Children's History of India
by Subhadra Sen Gupta
This lively narrative takes young readers on a comprehensive journey through India's past, from ancient civilisations like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro up to modern times. Subhadra Sen Gupta focuses not just on battles and rulers, but on how ordinary people, artists, and traders lived across different eras. Filled with engaging trivia, cultural highlights, and accessible explanations, it makes complex historical timelines easy to digest and helps bring the subcontinent's vibrant heritage vividly to life.
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