Illustration – Chris Silas Neal
For some children it was the familiar characters of Tinkle comics, while for some others it was the riveting tales of Amar Chitra Katha. No matter the choice—comic books, short-story anthologies or collection of mythological tales—books remain an indelible part of most childhoods. The World Book Day, celebrated on 23rd April, is a humble date on the calendar that serves as a gentle reminder of the power of the written word and its ability to elevate our imagination. However, it is also that one bookworm among your friends, who slips you a book as your birthday gift and gets you hooked for a lifetime.
Donning the hat of the friendly bibliophile, we present a list of unmissable inspiring books for children who love losing themselves in page-turners, rib-ticklers and cliff-hangers!
1. A Is for Awesome! by Eva Chen
Authored by Instagram superstar Eva Chen and brilliantly illustrated by Derek Desierto, A is for Awesome is a unique board book that allows parents to teach alphabets to their children along with giving them their first brush of feminism. Right from the iconic Amelia Earhart and Coco Chanel to the trailblazing Malala Yousafzai and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the book hand holds your child into a room full of amazing girl bosses.
2. The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity by Amy Alznauer
It was easy for you when you were a child, likewise it could be easy for your child to develop an irrational fear of numbers and mathematics. Learning from your experiences, if you wish for your child to form a fun, healthy relationship with numbers, introduce them to the genius of Srinivasa Ramanujan with the eloquently penned picture-book biography The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity. Written by mathematician Amy Alznauer and illustrated by Daniel Miyares, the book traverses the life of a young Ramanujan who saw numbers in the squares of light pricking his thatched roof and in the beasts dancing on the temple tower. Children are also tactfully introduced to mathematical concepts through the course of the book, with the exceptional illustrations keeping them riveted.
3. Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh
In the year 2011, Fauja Singh—then aged 100—became the oldest person to have ever run a marathon. While one could easily label this as the brightest highlight of his life, Singh’s life is indeed riddled with inspiring moments aplenty. At his birth, doctor’s expressed concern about Singh’s ability to walk. His weak legs made him the subject of unbridled bullying in school. However, beating all odds, Singh began running at the tender age of 81! Written by Simran Jeet Singh and illustrated by Baljinder Kaur, Fauja Singh Keeps Going promises to be the most memorable example of perseverance and a striking reminder of how it is never too late to chase your dreams.
4. It’s Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr
“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” With the essence of this poignant quote at its core, It’s Okay to Be Different introduces an important social lesson to children at an early age of development. Hidden in the pages of this evocative book are people and animals wearing their characteristics that make them unique like a badge of honour. Beginning with the gentle reminder of “It’s okay to …” come potent life lessons such as “need some help”, “have a different nose”, “have a different color”, “wear glasses”, and so on. Penned by Todd Parr, the impactful text of the book is aptly supported by kid-friendly illustrations, which are also credited to Parr.
5. Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Written by Mary Hoffman and illustrated by Caroline Binch, Amazing Grace is a timeless classic chronicling the life a young girl who loves stories and lives stories. One day, she expresses her interest in wanting to play the part of Peter Pan in a school play. However, a soft whisper from her friend saying, “you can’t be Peter—that’s a boy’s name and he isn’t black”, sets her thinking. Thereon begins the inspiring story of Grace’s Nana instilling an important belief in her “you can be anything you want, Grace, if you put your mind to it.” Supported by spectacular illustrations, Amazing Grace makes for a stirring tale that promises to remind children that they must be themselves and believe in themselves, no matter what the world tells them.
6. Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan
This one’s for the ardent basketball (or any sport for that matter) lovers. Pieced together by the legend’s mother and sister and illustrated magnificently by Kadir Nelson, this book offers a glimpse into the life of young Jordan, one who almost gave up on his hoop dreams because he feared he’d never grow tall enough to play the game! This heart-touching narrative offers the only recipe required to make a champion—patience, determination, and hard work. One can’t deny the life-changing impact this book could have on the young minds aspiring to make a mark in their beloved sport.
7. Manjhi Moves a Mountain By Nancy Churnin
This is the remarkable story of Dashrath Manjhi, who paired his hammer and chisel with grit and determination to carve a path through a mighty mountain that stood tall between his hamlet and basic amenities, such as a school and a hospital, that evaded it. The winner of the South Asia Book Award, this tale of perseverance motivated by goodwill is a must-read, not only for children but also for every individual. Based on a well-known true story, the book is backed with Nancy Churnin’s elegant prose and Danny Popovich’s well-composed illustrations. Available in Braille and several other languages, Manjhi Moves a Mountain boasts a feature in various school curriculums as well.
