Join Sameer and his family as they prepare to celebrate Holi and the beginning of spring! Platters are filled with scrumptious sweets and a rainbow of powdered colors are set out for the messy festivities that are about to commence. But after seeing his sisters throw colors and water balloons at each other, young Sameer begins to get nervous. His family notices this and come up with a fun solution for Sameer to overcome his fear so that he may enjoy celebrating in the bright and messy colors of spring. Complete with a glossary of Hindu words and recipes, It’s Holi! celebrates history, family, traditions, and all the excitement that comes with it.
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The Candle And The Flame
Fatima lives in the city of Noor, on the Silk Road, which is currently protected by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, from attacks by the violent and ruthless Shayateen djinn–but Fatima was infused with the fire of the Ifrit who died saving her when she was four years old, and when one of the most important Ifrit dies she finds herself drawn into the intrigues of the court, the affairs of the djinn, and the very real dangers of a magical battlefield.
Outside In
In the jungle outside the growing city of Chandigarh, twelve-year-old street child Ram discovers a hidden rock garden, befriends its creator–a factory worked named Nek–and tries to save Nek’s garden when it is threatened with destruction.
Outside In was featured in WOW Currents Reclaiming Social Emotional Learning with Children’s Literature, Part II.
Rama and the Demon King
An Indian folktale about how Prince Rama rescues his wife from the evil demon king.
Saraswati’s Way
Leaving his village in rural India to find a better education, mathematically gifted, twelve-year-old Akash ends up at the New Delhi train station, where he relies on Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, to guide him as he negotiates life on the street, resists the temptations of easy money, and learns whom he can trust.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 4, Issue 1
Rama and Sita
A children’s retelling of the epic story from India and Southeast Asia. Rama marries beautiful Sita, but Ravana, the 10-headed, 20-armed Demon King, falls in love with her, too. He captures her and takes her in his chariot to the Demon Kingdom, Lanka. Rama has to find a way to rescue Sita, and he seeks the help of the monkey general Hanuman, and Jambuvan, the King of the Bears. Rama, his brother Lakshman, and the band of monkeys and bears battle their way to the Kingdom of the Demons. With the help of the fish, they build a bridge to cross the sea and find Sita locked in Hanuman’s tower, guarded by demonesses. After a final, terrible battle, the Demon King is defeated and Rama and Sita are reunited. The touching ritual at the heart of the Hindu festival of Diwali features the lighting of earthen lamps, called “divas,” which celebrate Rama’s and Sita’s return home.