PVPF 2024

Publishers Inspire young Readers with Anything from Classics to Modern Books

Ignite a passion for reading with timeless stories from English and multilingual publishers. Victor Hugo's words in Les Misérables still resonate: 'To learn to read is to kindle a fire.' Explore enchanting worlds and nurture budding booklovers today.
on Nov 16, 2023

With timeless stories, these English and multilingual publishers are fostering emerging booklovers.

In Les Misérables, Victor Hugo stated in 1862, 'To learn to read is to kindle a fire.' The statement is still valid over a century later. Many of us recall beautiful afternoons lost in the enchanted world of books, or reading beneath the covers by the light of a torch well beyond our bedtimes.

There are a plethora of publishers who offer readings suitable for capturing the attention of your tot or teen in English, Hindi, Bengali, or any other language. Here is a handpicked list of some of the most prominent children's publishers, who are not only moulding the stories our children grow up with, but also cultivating future storytellers.

Duckbill, a division of Penguin Random House, was founded in 2012 and has championed award-winning books for children and young people for over a decade.

The acclaimed Hook Book and hOle Book series stand out as instances of their dedication to presenting socially relevant subjects in novel ways. Tight stories and familiar characters make these books extremely popular among children, who frequently find themselves as protagonists.

Popular picks: Dreamers: Delightfully Illustrated Short Biographies to Inspire Young Readers by Lavanya Karthik, The Letter to Lahore (Songs of Freedom Series) by Tanu Shree Singh, the hOle and Hook series.

Pratham Books

The primary goal of this non-profit organisation is to increase India's unacceptably low literacy rate. Pratham has been publishing storybooks that are highly engaging to children since 2002.

They have published in 26 Indian languages because they feel that children prefer to read in their native language. Many organisations have utilised their cheap Story Cards (small storybooks) to help millions of children read. Pratham has also invested in open-source digital and audio books in order to encourage children to read. StoryWeaver also offers free access to their open digital library for children.

Popular picks: Wild Cat! Wild Cat! By Sejal Mehta, Jadav and the Tree Place by Vinayak Varma

Karadi Tales

Karadi Tales, based in Chennai, was founded in 1996 by a group of writers, educators, and musicians with the goal of highlighting Indian culture via children's literature.

The Charkha series, which features musical audiobooks of the biographies of notable Indians such as J.R.D. Tata, Mahatma Gandhi, and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is one of their most prominent divisions. They also have a Dreaming Fingers series, which consists of handmade picture books with text in Braille and English, designed specifically for visually impaired and differently abled child readers.

Popular Picks: Paati’s Rasam by Dhwani Sabesh and Janaki Ganesh, Looking for Laddoo by Aparna Karthikeyan, The Dragon’s Toothache by Annie Besant

Talking Cub
Speaking Tiger's imprint has collaborated with some of the country's top authors, including Ruskin Bond, Paro Anand, Ranjit Lal, and Subhadra Sen Gupta, to produce board books, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

Talking Cub's highly interactive Facebook page promotes new releases, organises competitions, and does other things to engage and challenge young brains.

Popular Picks: A Clown for Tenali Rama by Subhadra Sen Gupta, A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp (from The Arabian Nights)

Puffin

Puffin, another Penguin brand founded in 1941, maintains a balance between classic children's books and high-quality new literature. Puffin caters to all age groups with picture books, historical fiction, and critically renowned works for young adults, adding roughly 150 titles to its collection each year. Roald Dahl and Jean Fritz are among the authors on their outstanding list.

Popular Picks: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Shishu Sahitya Samsad

Shishu Sahitya Samsad, founded in 1951 by Mahendranath Dutt, is the best option for laying the groundwork for your child's Bengali language proficiency. This heritage publishing house's dictionaries, in addition to offering a variety of popular children's books such as Chobite Ramayan, Chobite Mahabharat, Hasi Khushi and Hasi Rashi by Jogindranath Sarkar, Mojar Chhora by Bhabani Prasad Majumdar, and Amar Chhora by Sunirmal Basu, are indispensable tools for proficiency in Bengali literature and language.

Popular picks: Alpa Bayas Kalpa Bayas by Shankha Ghosh, Chotoder Panchatanra, Chotoder Kathamala, Jataker Golpo, Kishor Sahitya by Mahasweta Devi, Nabaneeta Dev Sen and Moti Nandi, Nana Desher Nana Golpo, Chotoder Chora Kobita by Nirendranath Chakraborty, Chotoder Natok by Sunirmal Basu, Kishore Kabita Sanchayan, Bhugol Bichitra by Dr. Ajit Kr.Bera, Paribesh o Prakriti Parichay by Sujata Bhattacherjee, Eso Padi Itihas by Subarna Mukherjee, Jana Ajanar Katha by Bandiram Chakravorty, Chharar Chhabi

Ananda Publishers

Ananda Publishers, founded in 1957, has always kept a prominent place in the publishing industry. Ananda Publishers' kiosks are a lovely paradise for aspiring readers, with a varied assortment of items ranging from comics to fiction and non-fiction. The company is well-known for publishing comics featuring Feluda and stories by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay. The captivating adventures of Tintin, Mitin Mashi Samagra by Suchitra Bhattacharya, and Gogol Samagra by Samaresh Basu contribute to a remarkable collection. Not to be overlooked is the engaging Pocket Bishwa series.

Popular picks: Amar Maa Sob Jane by Adrish Bardhan, Amader Mahabharat by Sunil Gangopadhyay, Acheen Deshe by Shree Khitish Prasad Chattopadhyay, Golpo Shonar Golpo Shono by Shailen Ghosh and more. In classics, Buro Angla by Abanindranath Tagore, Chander Pahar by Bibhuti Bhushan Bandyopadhyay and more.

Dev Sahitya Kutir

Dev Sahitya Kutir has been publishing classic children's books since 1928. Asutosh Dev founded the publishing firm, which publishes Shuktara, a popular children's magazine. Narayan Debnath was a prominent author from this publishing house, and his comic masterpieces such as Bantul The Great, Handa Bhonda, Bahadur Beral, and Nonte Phonte are still enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Popular picks: Amader Vidyasagar by Rabidas Saha Roy, Boglamamar Kandokarkhana Samagra by Rajkumar Maitra, Bhoutik Omnibus by Manabendra Pal, Aloukik o Bhoutik Golpo by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Harinarayan Chattopadhyayer Shrestho Golpo, Shuktarar 101 Roopkothar Golpo

Patra Bharati

Without a Kishore Bharati collection, a kishor or kishori's reading repertoire is incomplete - hard to overlook! Kishore Bharati made its debut in 1968, led by Dinesh Chandra Chattopadhyay. Its aim and vision have been dedicated to curating literature for young people and teenagers, encouraging writings that develop curiosity and creativity. Patra Bharati was formed in 1981, signifying a transition from writing for young minds to genre diversification, particularly during the reign of Dinesh Chandra's son, Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay.

Popular picks: Kishore Bharati editions, Chotoder Joto Hasir Golpo by Tarapada Roy, Ek Kuri Ek Dojon and Jhuri Kuri Golpo by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Kishorebela by Samaresh Majumdar, Sohoj Kothay Mahakash, Sohoj Kothay Samudra, Sohoj Kothay Meru by Kamalbikash Bandyopadhyay