Nothing you do for a child is ever wasted.
-Garrison Keillor, Leaving Home
Let’s take a look at the top 10 publishing houses for children’s literature in India.
Tulika books (www.tulikabooks.com)
A 15 year veteran in the field of children’s publishing, Tulika Books is based in Chennai. Books from this publishing house have many unique features, including the hiding of letters of the alphabet within objects, sound words and ‘word birds’ that seek to acquaint children with words from different languages. All books are published in English and some in regional languages like Tamil, Kannada, Marathi and Gujrati, among others. Tulika’s latest publication is Oluguti Toluguti, a collection of 54 Indian rhymes in 18 languages in the original, in English translations and with transliterations in English and Hindi.
Dreamland Publications (www.dreamlandpublications.com)
Dreamland’s authors are experienced teachers who have dedicated themselves to the service of children by producing the best literature for them. The books also carry designs and illustrations by some of the most renowned artists of India. Books range from dictionaries for children, activity books like model making and handwriting. The publishing house also prints books in Hindi. Dreamland is based in New Delhi.
Puffin books (www.penguinbooksindia.com/puffin/)
An imprint of Penguin Books, Puffin is devoted to children’s writing, from anthologies to mythology. The books carry gorgeous illustrations and keep up with the most stringent of international standards of publishing. The Feluda Mysteries, by Satyajit Ray, about a young boy detective and Puffin’s book of Indian Myths by Anita Nair are perennial favourites. Puffin has other big names on its list, including Sudha Murthy and Harsha Bhogle.
Navneet publications ( www.navneet.com)
Since 1959, Navneet has been a major force in the field of publishing, with more than 5000 titles in English, Hindi and other regional and foreign languages to its credit. Their books and workshops for children are a hit, especially in the North of the country. The company's products are sold under the 'Navneet', 'Vikas', 'Gala', ‘FfUuNn', ‘Boss' and ‘Navneet Nxt' brand names.
Amar Chitra Katha (www.amarchitrakatha.com)
Who isn’t familiar with this ‘essential reading’ name? Created by the beloved Anant Pai , the comics, depicting myths, stories from religion, freedom fighters and moral stories, like the Panchatantra, are a hit with all age groups. Each comic is rich in detail and design, filled with bright colours to capture the imagination. In keeping with the times, ACK titles are available in Apple itunes and ibooks stores too.
Magic Pot ( www.manoramaonline.com)
Published by Malayalam Manorama, Magic pot is a magazine dedicated to pre-schoolers, introducing them to the world of letters and language using fun and innovative games. The magazine is published weekly and is crammed with activities, colouring pages and entertaining read aloud pages, making for many hours of enjoyable learning.
Chandamama (www.chandamama.com)
Established in 1947, Chandamama is the brain-child of B.Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani, with the vision to interest and instruct young minds about the rich traditions of India. Chandamama is filled with delightful stories, astonishing facts, and stimulating features. Chandamama has interesting characters like Bheemboy and Dushtu Dattu. Their books are available in Sanskrit too.
Children’s Book Trust ( www.childrensbooktrust.com)
Children’s Book Trust was founded by Shankar in 1957. It aims to encourage the production of ‘well written, well-illustrated and well-designed books for children’. The books are simple in narrative and pleasing in appearance and give the child a better sense of the cultural legacy of India. The publishing house was inaugurated by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and is based in New Delhi.
Bhavan’s Amrita Bharati (www.dimdima.com)
An offering from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Dimdima started off as an online children’s magazine in 2000 and then became a printed magazine in 2004. It boasts of 25,000 subscribers from India and abroad. It has craft and activities, ecology, poetry, along with forums for parents and teachers.
Tara Books (www.tarabooks.com)
Tara Books is an independent publisher of picture books for adults and children based in Chennai, South India. Founded in 1994, it is a combined effort of dedicated writers, designers and artists who work to create books which marry content with style. Their award winning books are known for their richness of illustrations and stylish work.
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—About our writer:
Dr Srividya S has 13 years’ experience as a freelance trainer in verbal skills. She is an examiner with the British Council and edits manuscripts for an award winning publishing house on an independent basis. A published poet, her poems feature in anthologies of contemporary Indian poetry. She has a PhD. in English Literature, an MS in Education Management and a post graduate degree in Advertising and Communication.
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