We at Getlitt! pride ourselves on stocking some of the best Indian children’s literature out there, many of which are award-winning books that have won in various genres. It’s not just their award-winning status that made us give them the spotlight; it’s the fact that each of these books touches upon themes and adds value to a young reader’s life.
Brilliant writing along with powerful illustrations shape many young minds, and we’re grateful to have so many of these award-winning books in our library. It’s the enthusiasm of Indian authors and illustrators for creating exceptional content that wins awards and recognition. So without further explanation let’s get right to our list of these award-winning books, now available on Getlitt!
18 Award Winning Indian Children’s Books by Indian Authors
1. Bonkers! By author Natasha Sharma
Natasha Sharma’s book Bonkers! won the SCBWI India, Crystal Kite award in 2014. Bullying, inner turmoil and dealing with life’s obstacles from a young age are just some of the big themes addressed in this award-winning book. The protagonist Armaan hopes his new dog Bonkers will protect him from the school bully, TT. However, the dog has a mind of his own and adds to Armaan’s troubles. This tale of triumph is something many kids going through similar experiences will benefit from reading.
Read Bonkers! HERE
2. Timmi in Tangles by author Shals Mahajan
Timmi in Tangles as the name suggests is about little Timmi whose active imagination keeps people from believing her. She believes that she’s a raja and has a giant for a friend who can lift the roof of her house. As you can expect, this leads to Timmi’s life getting quite tangled up in what’s true and what is make-believe. With a book this strong, it’s no wonder that Indian author Shals Mahajan won the Raymond Crossword Book Award in 2014 in the category of children’s writing.
Read Timmi in Tangles HERE
3. Kittu’s Very Mad Day by author Harshikaa Udasi
This award-winning book follows a young boy with one leg that walks on crutches but wants to learn how to skateboard. The premise itself stirs up all sorts of emotions, therefore, coupled with crisp writing and beautifully illustrated visuals – that’s why Kittu’s Very Mad Day was the winner of the Children First writing competition, organised by Parag, an initiative of Tata Trusts, and Duckbill Books. It also won the FICCI award for Best Children’s Book English.
Read Kittu’s Very Mad Day HERE
4. Manya Learns to Roar by author Shruthi Rao
This book is another winner of the Children First writing competition, organised by Parag, an initiative of Tata Trusts, and Duckbill Books. Manya Learns to Roar is about overcoming a stammer to fulfil your dreams. Little Manya’s school is performing The Jungle Book, and she wants to play Shere Khan. However, everyone doubts her ability to play the part due to her stammer. The more anxious Manya gets, the more pronounced her stammer gets. Will she be able to overcome her stammer?
Read Manya Learns To Roar HERE
5. Gone Grandmother by author Chatura Rao
The passing of a loved one, death and grief is a topic that most parents have a hard time explaining to their kids. In this beautiful award-winning book, author Chatura Rao addresses those topics through the story of Nina and her recently deceased grandmother. It’s a story that captures the essence of moving on after a death in the family. Gone Grandmother won the ‘The Hindu Young World-Goodbooks’ award for Best Picture Book – Story, in 2018.
Read Gone Grandmother HERE
6. Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Boy Who Asked Why? By author Sowmya Rajendran
This book about the legendary Dr. Ambedkar won an ‘Excellence in Children’s Book Production’ award at the Darsana National Awards in 2016. It also won an ‘Honor Book’ award at the South Asia Book Awards in 2015. The story revolves around the idea of a little boy who always asked questions. It was this questioning and thirst for the answers that led to the life of the extraordinary Dr. Ambedkar.
Read Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Boy Who Asked Why? HERE
7. Maharani the Cow by author Christy Shoba Sudhir and Illustrator Nancy Raj
It’s not just the authors who win the awards, in this case, Maharani the Cow won the ‘The Hindu Young World-Goodbooks’ award for Best Picture Book – Illustrations. This beautifully illustrated picture book is about Maharani the cow who just won’t budge from the middle of the road. No matter the persuasion, from noisy children to anxious rickshawallas – Maharani loves chilling in the middle of the road. Will she move eventually?
Read Maharani The Cow HERE
8. My Mother’s Sari by author Sandhya Rao
This picture book which is ideal for toddlers and kids under the age of 4, is all about how versatile a sari is. The protagonist in the book uses her mother’s sari in many imaginative ways from playing to even wiping her nose! However, the most endearing use of her mother’s sari is when she’s curled up in it and taking a comforting nap. The book won an award for ‘Outstanding International Book’ by the United States Board for Books for young people in 2007.
Read My Mother’s Sari HERE
9. Ismat’s Eid by author Fawzia Gilani Williams
The winner of the prestigious Vermont Red Clover award in 2010, Ismat’s Eid is all about gratitude and having a big giving heart. Adapted from a popular Turkish tale, this book is about all the gifts Ismat purchases for his family on Eid. The reactions of the family members upon receiving the gifts is where the story starts to resonate.
Read Ismat’s Eid HERE
10. A Book for Puchku by author Deepanjana Pal
If your child is a bookworm at heart, then they’ll love this book. Little Puchku is looking for something new to read as she has finished reading all the books she can get her hands on at the library. In the search for a new book, she must find a way to reach the books on the top shelf, but she’s so tiny, just how will she reach? This delightful picture book won a ‘Best Children’s Book’ award by Publishing Next.
Read A Book for Puchku HERE
11. Ammachi’s Amazing Machines by author and Illustrator Rajiv Eipe
This award-winning book is all about the amazing machines Amma and her grandson make to solve different tasks in the village. Through superbly rendered illustrations and imaginative storytelling, Ammachi’s Amazing Machines is a picture book you don’t want to miss reading. It recently won The Hindu Young World Goodbooks award – Best Picture Book: Illustration, in 2019.
Read Ammachi’s Amazing Machines HERE
12. Salim Mamoo and me by Zai Whitaker
Not only does this award-winning book charm us with its illustrations by the talented Prabha Mallya but the storyline about the dynamic between Zai and her famous ‘Birdman of India’ uncle, Salim Ali captures us as well. Learn about the beautiful birds in India and take a peek into the life of Salim Ali in this award-winning book. It won the ‘Best Children’s Book’ award by Publishing Next in 2018.
Read Salim Mamoo and Me HERE
13. Petu Pumpkin Tooth Troubles by Arundhati Venkatesh
This 2015 Crystal Kite award-winning book is a favourite amongst our little Getlitt! readers, who have all given the book rave reviews on our app. Petu Pumpkin is at it again, but this time the fate of a football match rests upon Petu’s tooth! Ohh sounds interesting doesn’t it – will the tooth fall in time for the big game?
Read Petu Pumpkin Tooth Troubles HERE
14. Junior Kumbhakarna by Arundhati Venkatesh
Junior Kumbhakarna won for ‘Best Indian Children’s Book’ at the Parents and Kids Choice awards, in 2014. This bedtime story picture book is about little Kukku who falls asleep to his favourite story about the giant Kumbhakarna who sleeps non-stop for six months. Nothing can wake this giant, not even delicious smelling laddus! Kukku as well finds it hard to wake up from his sleep. Was it a dream or did he really meet the Kumbhakarna? This award-winning book is one your kids will enjoy reading!
Read Junior Kumbhakarna HERE
15. Rooster Raga by author Natasha Sharma
The winner of the Rivokids Parents and Kids Choice award in 2015, Rooster Raga is an amazing early picture book for toddlers. It’s all about the rooster Ruru who goes on a quest to find his unique sound. He tries making the sounds the other animals make, but eventually finds his own voice. It’s a rib-tickling and fun book to read and enact out – give it a try!
Read Rooster Raga HERE
16. The Taxi Ride and Other Spooky Stories by Author Priyanka and Bhavini
It doesn’t have to be Halloween for you to read some hair raising stories. This award-winning book will keep you glued, and a bit spooked all at once! It’s not often you get to read books that are a bit off center, so if your children aren’t faint-hearted we’re sure they’ll have a ball reading ‘The Taxi Ride and Other Spooky Stories.’ It won the award for ‘Best Indian Children’s Writing – Eerie World category’ at Contemporary awards, this year.
Read The Taxi Ride and Other Spooky Stories HERE
17. Frank Goes to the market by CG Salamander
The main theme in this award-winning book is about getting lost in a crowded place. Parents at some point or the other have experienced this feeling when taking their curious little ones out. This story is told from the perspective of little Fred who can’t find his mom in a crowded market. Author CG Salamander does a beautiful job along with visuals by Chetan Sharma to bring to light this heavy topic. Frank Goes to the Market won the award for ‘Best Indian Children’s writing – Food Category’ at Contemporary awards, this year.
Read Frank Goes to the Market HERE
18. The Hundred and Thirty Seven Leg by Madhuri Purandare, translated by Sai Keskar
This book won the Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Sahitya Puraskar and an award for the ‘Best of Indian Children’s Writing – Animal Stories category’ at the Contemporary Awards this year. As you may have guessed from the title, it’s a story about a millipede. She has hurt herself and she needs help. However, whoever comes to help can’t figure out which leg is injured! This picture book is one that your animal-loving kids will enjoy reading.
Read The Hundred and Thirty Seven Leg HERE
Well, that was quite the line up of award-winning books. As we mentioned before, these books have won in various categories and for different themes and content. We hope this list encourages not just you but your kids to read more Indian children’s books.
We have a ton of other books that are just as award-worthy, so after you’ve worked your way through this list – have a look at our library.
Happy Reading!
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