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A curated collection of outstanding books in English and in Hindi, for children and young adults, by the Parag Initiative of Tata Trusts. This list, published annually, comprises noteworthy books of the year with brief information about each title. It has been created with careful screening and multiple reviews by experts in the children’s literature sector. The list aims to promote access to a comprehensive curated list of good quality children’s literature that librarians, teachers, parents and children can refer to and read.
To browse through the Parag Honour List books, click here.
As per this year’s criteria, we received original writings in the category of picture books, young readers and young adults, in fiction, non-fiction and poetry, from 26 Indian publishers, published between October, 2019 to September, 2020.
We hope this list will enable a wider readership to some of the best Indian children’s books!
Arvind Gupta did B.Tech from IIT Kanpur in 1975. He is primarily a toy maker but has an abiding interest in children’s books. He has won several awards for popularizing science including the Padma Shri. He shares his passion for books and toys through his popular website www.arvindguptatoys.com
There are very few inspiring picture biographies for children on Indian icons. I would like to see more picture books depicting the differently abled, marginalized, and communal harmony. Finally, I would like all Caldecott and Newbery Medal books to be translated in all Indian languages.
Prachi Kalra is a teacher educator at Delhi University. She also teaches a course on children’s literature and storytelling. She grew up listening to stories from her mother and grandmother, stories of Sheikh Chilli and birds drowning in poop. Prachi has a PhD in storytelling from Delhi University and lives in Delhi. She has a sizeable collection of children’s books, built by scouring book fairs and second-hand book shops. Prachi’s dream is to open a public library for children.
For me, there is nothing like a children’s book. A good book is enjoyed by everyone, adults and children alike. From picture books to ghost stories to fantasies to reflective, philosophical books – libraries and classrooms need to have a whole range. Somehow, wordless picture books are my favourite; because there is magic in the illustrations which carries the story forward.
Samina Mishra is a documentary filmmaker, writer, and teacher based in New Delhi, with a special interest in media for and about children. Her work uses the lens of childhood, identity and education to reflect the experiences of growing up in India. She also runs The Magic Key Centre for the Arts and Childhood.
अरुंधती देवस्थले विश्व बालसाहित्य में गहरी दिलचस्पी और कई संस्कृतियों के बीच काम, संस्थाओं से जुड़ाव का सौभाग्य। यूरोपीय भाषाओं से पिक्चर बुक्स का हिंदी, मराठी और अंग्रेज़ी में अनुवाद और संपादन। फिलहाल उत्तराखंड के गाँवों में बच्चों को पढ़ाने और वाचनालय चलाने का काम, लड़कियों की शिक्षा और प्रगति के लिए विशेष प्रयास।
गुरबचन सिंह ने चार दशक तक सार्वजनिक स्कूली शिक्षा में काम किया है। इस दौरान राज्य संसाधन केन्द्र, भोपाल के निदेशक रहे हैं। टीकमगढ़ के बाल साहित्य केन्द्र के संस्थापक सदस्य है। इस संस्था से दो दशक तक जुड़े रहे हैं। शैक्षिक पलाश और बच्चों की पत्रिका गुल्लक के सम्पादक रहे हैं। बाल साहित्य में विशेष रुचि है और इसे बच्चों और किशोरों की अच्छी शिक्षा में अनिवार्य अवयव के रूप में देखते हैं। फ़िलहाल अज़ीम प्रेमजी विश्वविद्यालय द्वारा शिक्षा पर प्रकाशित पत्रिका ‘पाठशाला भीतर और बाहर’ के कार्यकारी सम्पादक हैं।
सुनीता मिश्रा इंस्टिट्यूट ऑफ़ होम इकोनॉमिक्स के प्राथमिक शिक्षा विभाग में कार्यरत हैं और भाषा-शिक्षण, भाषा-विज्ञान तथा बाल- साहित्य के विषय पढ़ाती हैं। बाल-साहित्य व कहानियों के माध्यम से भाषा-शिक्षण में उनकी विशेष रूचि है। भाषा के संज्ञानात्मक पहलू पर उनका शोध भी है और रूचि भी।
मेरे विचार से बाल-साहित्य का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण आयाम है बच्चों की कल्पनाशीलता और दुनिया को देखने-समझने के उनके नज़रिये के लिए पर्याप्त अवसर होना। बाल- साहित्य का उद्देश्य कहानियों में बच्चों को पात्र बना देना भर नहीं है बल्कि बच्चों के नज़रिये से दुनिया और जीवन के अनुभवों को समझना है। यहाँ दो बात ज़रूरी हैं – १. हमेशा ही अति सरल या सकारात्मक होना आवश्यक नहीं है और, २. किशोरों के लिए भी बाल-साहित्य में सामग्री होनी चाहिए।
A curated collection of outstanding books in English and in Hindi, for children and young adults, by the Parag Initiative of Tata Trusts. This list, published annually, comprises noteworthy books of the year with brief information about each title. It has been created with careful screening and multiple reviews by experts in the children’s literature sector. The list aims to promote access to a comprehensive curated list of good quality children’s literature that librarians, teachers, parents and children can refer to and read.
Children’s literature is an important means of imaginative engagement not just in promoting overall growth and development, but also has a critical role in wellbeing. Children’s literature has a role to play in helping children talk about a range of issues such as gender, caste and class. Literature can help children engage respectfully and dialogically on such sensitive issues building their perspective which is so important in the pluralistic context of India today.
Here is a list of some bookstores and publishers who offer good books for children.
A list of children’s publishers pan India who publish good books for children.
A list of some bookstores across Indian cities where you can find good quality Indian children’s literature.
Parag supports publication of original stories and translations for children across the age group of 3-16 years. The main aim is to provide access to good quality story books for children in Indian languages. A wide range and variety of books have been released through various publishers and we are happy to share an array of new stories for different age groups with you.
A wide variety of books have been published over the last 12 years in multiple Indian languages and across age groups.
The Parag catalogue provides a sneak peak into the books supported since 2005, their central themes and ideas. The books are categorized according to age groups and genres. However, the categorization is suggestive and their most effective usage lies in the hands of readers/story tellers/educators/parents. Books marked for ages 6+ can be read aloud to young children, while Teachers’ Resource books can be read by teens. Books are listed under one category to avoid duplication. This annotated catalogue lists the books published by the Trusts’ partners, under picture books, poems, young readers, activity Books and teachers’ resource books.
For more than a decade Parag has been working to catalyse the children’s literature sector in India. Parag has supported the publication of 700+ titles in 9 Indian languages reaching more than 40 million readers.
Opening up the world of books to children with disabilities is an important pathway to making literature and society more inclusive
