I've just received my copy of 'Looking for Nieba'!
It is a story I worked on, set in Bamako, Mali about two donkeys who are the best of friends (more about it here). So happy to hold a physical copy!



This project allowed me to discover a wonderful charity by the name of SPANA.

They work to provide medical support for working animals all over the world. This work helps make life better not just for the animals but also for the the families that employ and care for them. What's more, SPANA also helps train local communities in basic animal care and believes in spreading a message of compassion towards working animals. This book was commissioned to further that cause.

Do visit their website to know more about their invaluable work!


The book is also translated into French. Hannah and Christelle from SPANA (the nicest people to work with) let me try doing hand-drawn cover typography for both titles!

The Yangtze giant softshell turtle species lost its last known female a few days ago. She was over 90 years old. Living in the rivers of southern and eastern China, and northern Vietnam, these turtles may have been the largest freshwater turtles in the world. As far as we know, only three males remain now, one in captivity and two in the wild.



Extinction is all but guaranteed.

A whole species lost... thousands of years of evolution, of selecting all the genes that would make the best Yangtze giant softshell turtle there could be, all of Nature's graceful work erased...

This has me heartbroken.

I've just returned from a wonderful week in Bologna spent among gorgeous children's books filled with the most beautiful artwork!

It is always inspiring to be at the book fair and look at work from artists from different parts of the world. And this year was especially lovely for me. My closest friends from the course, Narisa Togo (Ting), Rosemary Shojaie, Yiting Lee and I all had our books at the fair at different places! I can't believe it has been so long since our first visit to the fair, when we were shy and new to the publishing world (although we still feel a bit shy all these years later).




Ting also had her work selected for the Illustrator's Exhibition and gave a lovely talk about her art process in the making of her beautiful book 'Magnificent Birds'. Our friends and fellow classmates Zack Rock and Harriet Muncaster had their books too, and Zack's work was also showcased in an exhibition in the city center, of art by European and American artists. It was really heartwarming to find work made by friends we studied with, almost like they were speaking to us from the picture!

Little Mia from 'In My Heart' knows she is adopted and loves her adoptive parents dearly. How can she not, when she came from their hearts? It is why they are so alike and love the same things!





The book, published by Penguin India, takes us with Mia on her journey to find her Tummy Mummy. Will she find her? And where? The story builds on Nandana's own experience of having an adopted daughter, and of the love that binds different families together - biological or not.

My third Auroville book is now out! This was another of those wonderful opportunities where I had to create monochrome illustrations  for a story, apart from the cover which is in colour.


Those of you who know me would know how I struggle with colour. It is something that does not come instinctively to me, like gestures or facial expressions; rather it is something I work hard at, agonising over every decision, and failing very often!

So working in black and white is very freeing. Of course, the book is not for very young readers, and really lends itself to this colour choice.


Our protagonist Yusuf, a keen disciple of his learned Guru, is put to the test when he is given a little box to deliver to his Guru's friend many miles away. At first, Yusuf can see only his duty, but as the journey progresses, his mind begins to wander. What could be in this little box? And will Yusuf perform his duty in the face of his overwhelming curiosity?




'Yusuf and the Little Mouse' is an ancient story, retold by the Mother, of one of the simplest, but most difficult aspect of our lives; being aware of and having mastery over our minds.