Karadi Tales is an independent children’s publishing house based in Chennai, India. We are dedicated to bringing out quality picture books for kids that are diverse and multi-cultural.
Our titles have been listed in the White Ravens and IBBY lists, and received multiple other international accolades. In 2020, we won the London Book Fair International Excellence Award for Audio Book Publisher of the Year.
Age-Group: 4 to 8
A bite of vada pav, a drive through the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, a photo stop at Haji Ali Dargah: Leopard just wants to do some everyday Mumbai things, but can’t quite figure out why she’s making everyone so nervous.
Lubaina Bandukwala tells the tale of a baffled spotted tourist, while Allen Shaw’s hilarious illustrations recreate a situation based on a true story.
Looking for Laddoo
Age-Group: 7 to 9
Have you seen a dog – small, white, and with brown spots, who responds to the name, Laddoo? Could he be wandering around the lush campus of the Theosophical Society? Or, perhaps, taking a stroll down Marina beach? How far could little Ladoo have travelled?
Join Karthik and his veterinarian mother as they weave through the many iconic landscapes of Chennai, helping animals along the way, while they look for their lost pup, Laddoo.
This third book in the Karadi Tales City Series is eloquently written by Aparna Karthikeyan, designed and illustrated in stunning watercolours by Tanvi Parulkar.
Waiting for Turtles
Age-Group: 7 to 9 Years
Samrat is giddy with excitement. He and his mother Seema, a sea-turtle researcher, are headed to Tarmugli island in the hopes of observing nesting turtles. On a quiet, empty beach, under a blanket of stars, they wait. Will the turtles come?
Pankaj Sekhsaria’s beautiful story is an awe-inspiring look at these elusive creatures, while Vipin Sketchplore’s stunning illustrations capture the lush landscape of the island and the glistening waters of the ocean exquisitely.
The Homework
Age-Group: 4 to 8
Bhattu and Kittu have completely forgotten that they had homework to do! Faced with the task of researching a big mammal, they decide to take the help of their studious sister, Meena.
In this uproariously funny picture book by debut author Ashwin Guha, accompanied by emmy-nominated film-maker and illustrator, Vaibhav Kumaresh’s cheeky art, you soon learn that when you mix distracted tutoring with an overactive imagination, the result is a homework assignment that is very hard to grade.
Something’s Falling
Age-Group: 0 to 4
What drops from trees as branches sway?
What falls from the sky on a rainy day?
Find out in this stunning board book on falling objects, with text in verse by Daya Subramanian and distinctive illustrations inspired by Indian folk art by Ruchi Singh. The unique fold-out flaps will have the objects quite literally falling off the pages!
Something’s Hiding
Age-Group: 0 to 4
Colonel Nath says his uniform is called camouflage! But how could that be?! Does he blend in with every landscape? Does he ‘hide’ like a tiger in grass, or a chameleon on a branch?
Pooja Sagar’s ingenious story takes us down a little girl’s wild imagination, while Divya George’s beautiful, detailed illustrations make every page a game to identify several camouflaged creatures.
Farmer Falgu Goes on A Trip
Age-group: 4 to 8
Rights Sold: Japanese (Japan), French (France), German (Germany)
“The terse onomatopoeic text with its sounds picked out in bold colors will keep young listeners engaged, and the pictures have a Rouault-like flavor with dark outlines and deep colors…” – Kirkus Reviews
Shortlisted for The Hindu Young World Goodbooks Awards 2016
Something’s Moving
Age-Group: 0 to 4
Would you like to swing like a monkey, gallop like a horse, or leap like a frog?
This children’s book in verse by Daya Subramanian introduces different movements of animals, while the dynamic text and beautiful illustrations in Indian folk art style by Anusha Sundar bring the birds and animals to life.
Something’s Missing
Age-Group: 0 to 4
Zainab is excited. She’s getting ready for her first day of school. But wait! Something’s missing. Help her find all the things she’s looking for as she makes her way through numbers 1 to 12, in this unique counting book.
Katy B introduces the concept of odd and even numbers in this fun story that features dazzling patterned illustrations by artist Rayika Sen.
Farmer Falgu Goes to the Market
Age-group: 4 to 8
Rights sold: Japanese (Japan), French (France), German (Germany)
“…I love the simple story, told in simple declarative sentences, enhanced with onomatopoeia and typeface in different colors and designs. The deeply colored illustrations are bold and vivid, outlined in brown and evoke the warmth and color of India.” – Youth Services Book Review
Thukpa For All
Age-Group: 7 to 9
Rights sold: Japanese (Japan)
“The pages are filled with delightful onomatopoeia…and Ranade’s inviting illustrations detail the life and geography of this mountainous region. Informative backmatter includes an introduction to the region, a glossary, and a recipe. A delightful family story that broadens representations of South Asia and South Asian children.” – Kirkus Review
The Blue Jackal
Age-Group: 4 to 8
Rights sold: Spanish (World), Italian (Italy), French (World), English (North America), Chinese (China)
“Drawn in white on dark, monochrome backgrounds, the illustrations are large-scale scenes with freely placed figures of animals and foliage that are small and often stylized beyond easy recognition. They are striking…” – Kirkus Reviews
The Mountains of Mumbai
Age-Group: 4 to 8
“Jain’s watercolor paintings are vivid and detailed, reveling in the bustle of the city…Veda and Doma’s journey is punctuated with recognizable landmarks (e.g., the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge), making this an excellent book for the armchair traveler as well. Readers who’ve never been to Mumbai will want to visit while those who love it will smile.” – Kirkus Review
The Clever Tailor
Age-group: 4 to 8
“…timeless art by Nayantara Surendranath swirls through the pages like a traditional Indian turban…a contemporary Indian take on a European folktale about the value of being resourceful and finding creative ways to minimize waste.” – Midwest Book Review
Sadiq Wants to Stitch
Age-Group: 7 to 9
Book Trailer | Download Info. Sheet | Download illustration note
“Colorful watercolor illustrations show expansive landscapes, vibrant embroidered rugs…Defying gender stereotypes, this book touches upon important topics.” – Kirkus Review
The Night Monster
Age Group: 4 to 8
