Read-Alikes: India in Picture Books
By Gillian Engberg

Although there are still too few titles for young children that depict Indian characters and culture, the selection has increased in the last decade. The following list groups several recent efforts that, together, represent Indian communities around the world. 

Chachaji’s Cup . By Uma Krishnaswami. Illus. by Soumya Sitaraman. 2003. Children’s Book Press, $16.95 (9780892391783). K–Gr. 3.

In his comfortable home in the U.S., an Indian boy, Neel, listens to his great-uncle tells stories about Hindu deities and his family’s flight from their home in 1947, after India and Pakistan divided. The richly colored paintings evoke the joy and melancholy of the family story.

Divali Rose . By Vashanti Rahaman. Illus. by Jamel Akib. 2008. Boyds Mills, $16.95 (9781590785249). K–Gr. 3.

In an Indian community in Trinidad, a young boy helps his grandparents prepare for Divali, the Hindu festival of lights, and learns about the spirit of the holiday. Narrated in colloquial rhythms and words, Rahaman’s gentle story explores themes of personal responsibility and the immigrant experience.

A Gift for Gita . By Rachna Gilmore. Illus. by Alice Priestley. 2002. Tilbury, paper, $7.95 (9780884482390). Gr. 2–3.

After Gita’s family immigates to the U.S., Gita’s father receives a job offer back in India. Gilmore’s simple words and Priestley’s softly colored pencil art show each family member’s response to the news and the underlying pull between countries, all portrayed from a child’s viewpoint.

Monsoon . By Uma Krishnaswami. Illus. by Jamel Akib. 2003. Farrar, $16 (9780374350154). PreS–Gr. 2.

In a parched Indian city, a girl and her family wait for the end-of-summer rains. The girl’s poetic language captures both her longing and her relief when the monsoon finally arrives, all depicted in Akib’s sun-baked art. A final note provides details about the nature, geography, and dangers of monsoon rains.