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.

Every year, the Internationale Jugendbibliothek or the International Youth Library in Munich recommends books from all over the world in its prestigious annual catalogue and gives them the badge of White Raven. This year, there are 200 titles chosen from 59 countries in 38 languages. Among these are some absolute beauties like Franklin's Flying Bookshop, Mrs. Noah's Pockets (illustrated by the wonderful James Mayhew who was one of our much loved tutors), Imaginary Fred and The Journey.

Dance of the Wild is the only one from India that made it to the 2018 list! It is humbling to be among such wonderful company.

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I think it is really beautiful to have such a variety of books in one catalogue. Every culture, every language has a different way of approaching a picturebook. There are so many beautiful books for children from all over the world, and it is very inspiring to learn about them.


Here are some I'd love to get a closer look at, although I'm sure there are many more lovely ones I haven't managed to mention here.





In the order of the images above:







In addition to being included in the catalogue, 'Dance of the Wild' was appreciated closer to home too. It was runner up for the 'Children's Book of the Year' award at the Publishing Next Awards 2018 and was an In-book winner of the Kyoorius Design Awards 2018, which meant we got to bring home this little Baby Elephant! I call her Baby Ellie; isn't she adorable?



Thank you to everyone who appreciated the book, it is heartening to know that an Indian book with a subject like this can be so well received.

This is a long overdue post about a recent book I've worked on, called Dance of the Wild, written by a wonderful, and always smiling, lady called Richa Jha. It is safe to say this was the longest I'd ever worked on a commission, and I loved every bit of it.


This was an artist's heaven for me, because Richa was patient with me when I was silent for months, doing very few drawings but just mulling it over in my mind, especially in the early stages. Fortunately, Richa also heads Pickle Yolk Books, a small and brave independent Indian publishing house (who published this story), and could allow this pace of working.


We were both doing other projects on the side, and I know how difficult I can be with my solitude during work, but she never rushed me. Whenever I sent in work for her to see, her sunny responses warmed me in that manner that lone artists know so well. It takes great strength of character to be like that; it's what good editors and publishers are made of, and it is why I continue to admire the person she is.


Her absolutely endearing story of Shilu (and her beloved cat Pirate) had me smitten from the start. It is born of the most basic instinct we have of wanting to be free, even of the very clothes on our person. Children express this more openly than adults, of course, because they're yet to learn the ways of the world, but we all feel it, and as we grow, we (hopefully) learn to navigate through those feelings.


The book does the same, and having it set in India makes it significant. In a country where there have historically been countless (and extremely varying) perceptions about clothing and nudity, it is not easy to tell a child what is 'right'. What we can do is to allow the child to see different versions of what could be right, without stifling the inner voice that yearns for freedom!


The book is available to buy in paperback and hardcover here and there is also a larger sized limited edition hardback (the one shown in the photographs above) which one could request for if so inclined. For those in India, here is a faster way to get hold of the paperback.

Hope you and your little ones enjoy it!