Birds on the Brain

Uma Krishnaswami

Duckbill

Everyone makes mistakes, but it is the lessons we learn that are important. 
What better a character to introduce children to Hindu mythology than Ganesha, the god of new beginnings? Often impulsive, forever generous, the elephant-headed god with the fat belly makes mistakes but learns from them. He fills the world around him with laughter. These stories deliver up a pantheon of Hindu deities and support such concepts as nonviolence, respect for life, and the folly of vanity. 
This collection of Hindu folktales for middle readers features stories about the Hindu god, Ganesha, who is easily recognized because of his elephant head. Author, Uma Krishnaswami introduces the stories by recalling her own introduction to Ganesha and goes on to offer a mythological context for the tales. 
Included among these classic stories are "Ganesha's Head", "The Broken Tusk", and "Why Ganesha Never Married". Most of the stories come from Hindu legend; one comes from Mongolia, where Ganesha made his way into the Buddhist tradition. The simple pen-and-ink illustrations support the themes and a helpful pronunciation guide and glossary are also included.

The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha

Children's Books

Literature & Fiction

August House

Chachaji's Cup

Neel loves listening to Chachaji's many stories over steaming cups of tea. Chachaji's tales of great Hindu gods and demons and of his adventures in the Indian Army leave Neel openmouthed. But it is the tale of his great-uncle's favorite teacup that teaches Neel the most, for Chachaji's cup holds far more than sweet, spicy masala chai. When the precious cup and Chachaji's health both prove to be more fragile than they look, Neel knows what he must do.Uma Krishnaswami weaves a gentle tale of family love and the power of memory, which Soumya Sitaraman brings to vivid life in her richly hued paintings. Chachaji's Cup will captivate and comfort readers of all ages, long after the last sip.

Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths

Lee & Low Books

The Closet Ghosts

When a young girl named Anu has trouble adjusting to her new home and school, she calls upon Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, for help vanquishing the ghosts in her closet. Moving to a new place is hard enough without finding a bunch of mean, nasty ghosts in your closet. This looks like a job for Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, who can change shape in the blink of an eye and chase goblins and demons away with his thundering voice. When Hanuman answers Anu's plea for help, Anu rejoices--until she realizes that those pesky ghosts don't seem to be going anywhere. Uma Krishnaswami effortlessly weaves motifs from Indian mythology into this bubbly story of ultimately finding comfort in a new place, and Shiraaz Bhabha's exquisitely detailed acrylic paintings glow on the page. The Closet Ghosts is a treat that will delight and amaze any child who is facing a big change ... or has ghosts in their closet.

The Ants Have A Picnic

Benchmark Education Company

Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World

Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Eight-year-old Arun waits impatiently while international adoption paperwork is completed so that he can meet his new baby sister from India.

Bringing Asha Home

Growing Up & Facts of Life

Hello Flower

Bebop Books

Nine-year-old Maria Singh longs to play softball in the first-ever girls' team forming in Yuba City, California. It's the spring of 1945, and World War II is dragging on. Miss Newman, Maria's teacher, is inspired by Babe Ruth and the All-American Girls' League to start a girls' softball team at their school. Meanwhile, Maria's parents--Papi from India and Mama from Mexico--can no longer protect their children from prejudice and from the discriminatory laws of the land. When the family is on the brink of losing their farm, Maria must decide if she has what it takes to step up and find her voice in an unfair world. In this fascinating middle grade novel, award-winning author Uma Krishnaswami sheds light on a little-known chapter of American history set in a community whose families made multicultural choices before the word had been invented.

Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh

The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story

Embarrassed by her clumsiness, eight-year-old Meena, an Asian Indian American girl, is reluctant to appear in the school play until she gains self-confidence by practicing yoga.

Arts, Music & Photography

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Books by Uma Krishnaswami