Indian Daddy's Blog

Jabari Asim is a celebrated American author, poet, and educator whose works captivate readers of all ages. Whether crafting joyful board books for toddlers or thought-provoking literature for adults, Asim’s writing combines creativity, cultural richness, and historical insight. For children, Asim’s works encourage curiosity, laughter, and a sense of wonder. His board books, such as Whose Toes Are Those? and Whose Knees Are These? , feature playful, rhythmic verses and vibrant illustrations that delight little readers while celebrating diversity and self-love. His picture books and middle-grade stories often explore African American history, making complex topics accessible and empowering for young readers. Beyond children’s literature, Asim’s talents extend to poetry, drama, and essays. His thought-provoking works appear in prestigious anthologies and periodicals, showcasing his unique perspective on social issues, politics, and culture. Asim is also a professor at Emerson College...

  Janhavi Samant is a children’s author, journalist, and content marketing professional with a deep passion for storytelling. Her love for tales began in childhood, listening to her grandma and parents share a variety of stories—funny, heroic, tragic, and even outright bizarre. These early experiences instilled in her a lifelong fascination with the power of stories to connect and entertain. As a mother, Samant has continued this storytelling tradition. She finds joy in retelling, recycling, and even creating new tales for her children at bedtime. For her, these moments are not just about entertainment; they are about building strong, enduring bonds between parents and kids. She believes stories are the simplest and most powerful way to foster imagination, empathy, and creativity. “Stories help us envision ourselves in different places and situations,” she says, “allowing us to grow our perspectives and dream bigger.” Janhavi Samant’s books resonate with humor, nostalgia, and the ...

  September evenings in Manas National Park are often shrouded in mist and drenched by monsoon rains. On one such evening, the Basbari Range and nearby villages were inundated, turning the crop fields into makeshift ponds. Villagers, undeterred by the weather, were busy fishing in the swollen streams and rivers. Amid this watery chaos, a curious report arrived.  Puran, an employee at the (then) Jungle Travel Resort in Basbari, informed our field assistant, Bipul Nath, of a stray rhino spotted near Mayaongpara Colony, about 5–6 kilometers from the park. There was no record of any rhino straying that day, but Puran’s unwavering confidence sowed a seed of urgency. After all, stray rhinos are no laughing matter, especially in areas teeming with villagers. Taking no chances, I quickly mobilized a 15-member monitoring team led by Bipul and dispatched them to the supposed rhino straying site. It was already dark by the time the team reached Mayaongpara Colony. The rain continued to p...

Savie Karnel is a celebrated children’s author and accomplished journalist whose storytelling captivates young minds while instilling values of curiosity and resilience. Her ability to weave compelling narratives has made her a significant voice in children’s literature. One of her books, The Nameless God , was voted the most popular children’s book on Amazon India in 2021 and earned a place on the shortlist for the Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize the same year—an exceptional achievement. Further cementing its influence, it became the only children’s book shortlisted for the prestigious MAMI Mumbai Film Festival’s Words to Screen Options Market in 2023. Before finding her true calling in writing for children, Karnel built a strong foundation in journalism, contributing to prominent publications like The New Indian Express , Mid-Day , and Talk Magazine in Bengaluru. Her journalistic background enriches her storytelling, bringing authenticity and depth to her books. Karnel’s bo...

Prerna Singh Bindra is more than just a writer—she is a wildlife warrior, an advocate for the planet’s most vulnerable creatures, and a passionate wilderness guardian. Known for her ability to merge storytelling with advocacy, Bindra has carved a niche for herself in the literary world, particularly with her work to inspire young readers. Her commitment to nature and wildlife is evident in everything she writes, and her dream is simple yet profound: a world where the innocence and curiosity of children meet the timeless wonders of untamed forests. The Storyteller Who Champions the Wild Bindra’s love for nature began early. She spent her childhood exploring forests, marveling at birdsong, and reveling in the beauty of India’s rich biodiversity. This deep connection with nature laid the foundation for her life’s mission: protecting wildlife and the habitats they depend on. Over the years, Bindra has emerged as a strong voice for endangered species and pristine wildernesses, working t...

Children’s literature has an important place in nurturing young minds, sparking curiosity, and building empathy. Niyatee Sharma, a celebrated children’s author with seven books to her credit, is making her mark by creating captivating tales for young readers across India. Published by renowned names such as Tulika Books, Penguin Random House, and Tota Books, Sharma’s works blend vibrant narratives with visual storytelling, a fusion that’s engaging and enjoyable for children. In this article, we explore the creative journey of Niyatee Sharma, her impact on children’s literature, and some of her most popular books that have left a lasting impression on young readers. From Interior Design to Storytelling: An Unusual Path to Children's Literature Niyatee Sharma’s journey to becoming a beloved children’s author is both unique and inspiring. A graduate from the Centre of Planning and Technology (CEPT) as an interior designer, Sharma initially pursued a career in design. Her background in...

I love to read books and my favorite book series is Percy Jackson. There are three series and they are based on Greek and Roman mythology.  I have read all three series and one extra of that topic. The names of the series are: 1. Percy Jackson 2. Heroes of Olympus and 3. Trials of Apollo. Every series has 5 books. The series is written by Rick Riordan. Percy Jackson and Jason Grace are both demigods, meaning the son of a god. Percy Jackson is the son of Posiedon. Jason Grace is the son of Jupiter/Zeus. Zeus is the king of the Olympian Gods and ruler of the sky. Posiedon is the brother of Zeus and is the ruler of the ocean. There are many funny things in this series, including a baby who, unlike others, started singing instead of crying. Then there was the god Apollo who fell from the sky and landed safely in a New York dumpster (who knows what New Yorkers put in their garbage?). Jason had a coin, which, when flipped, will turn into a sword or javelin. Percy Jackson himself can ...

Zai Whitaker is a celebrated children’s author known for her engaging books that often explore themes of the environment, wildlife, and conservation. She has penned over 20 books that inspire young readers to connect with and appreciate the natural world. Her passion for wildlife and conservation was ignited during her childhood, which was surrounded by the influence of naturalists, including her grand-uncle, Salim Ali, famously known as the “Birdman of India.” This early exposure to the wonders of the natural environment profoundly shaped her interests and career. Beyond her writing, Whitaker is a dedicated conservationist. She is the managing trustee of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and the Center for Herpetology, a well-known zoo and conservation center that she co-founded in 1976. This organization focuses on the preservation and study of reptiles, particularly crocodiles, and plays a crucial role in promoting herpetology and environmental education. Whitaker’s leadership and com...

  Samina Mishra is a filmmaker, children's author, and educator based in New Delhi. Her work focuses on media that focuses on children. She often explores themes of childhood, identity, and education, reflecting the diverse realities of growing up in India. Her documentary Happiness Class explores the concept of happiness through the lens of the Happiness Curriculum in Delhi government schools. Additionally, she runs The Magic Key Centre for the Arts and Childhood, a virtual resource hub for children and adults. Her books for children include: Jalmo Walks  Nida Finds a way Where Does it Hurt?

Why Are Harmful Products Like Pan Masala Advertised?  A Conversation with My Son Neel  My son and I often take short trips within or outside the city. During these drives, we frequently come across advertising hoardings for Pan Masala (tobacco) featuring famous celebrities. What's puzzling, especially for my 10-year-old son, is the statutory warning behind the hoardings that says: "Pan Masala is injurious to health." This contradiction is tough to explain, but I’ve tried answering it in a couple of ways. Here's how I explained it to him, hoping it makes sense. In India, pan masala is a product some people have used for many years. It's especially common in certain parts of the country, including Assam. Historically, some communities have chewed things like pan masala or tobacco, which is why businesses advertise them. These companies want to sell their products to people who are used to consuming them. Even though we now know that Pan Masala is harmful to he...

We often expect immediate results from our actions in today's materialistic world. There are times, however, when we continue with our actions without expecting any tangible results. Since my son was a toddler, I've been telling him bedtime stories. Over the past six years, he has requested a story about life and love every night. In order to satisfy his curiosity, I devote a great deal of time to gathering knowledge from various sources, including children's books, TV shows, the internet, YouTube, and Facebook. Sometimes he loves the stories, and other times he falls asleep before they end, so I repeat them the next night. I told him a story about Lord Buddha one night: Lord Buddha was speaking to a group of people in the forest where he lived one day. It was usual for people to come from far and wide to listen to his wise words. A furious businessman was among the crowd that morning. The man was angry because his family spent hours listening to Buddha, whom he thou...

Many of my readers have asked how long bedtime stories should continue with their children. The role bedtime stories play in raising well-rounded children has become increasingly important in today's world. The stories I read to my son at bedtime help him to visualize positive things before going to sleep, according to my experience. Positive messages should be infused into these stories, though they should be simple. Up until early teenage years, when children are around 10-11 years old, bedtime stories can be beneficial. As children approach puberty, they may become more absorbed in their own worlds and seek more privacy. Although bedtime stories may not be able to prevent negative teenage experiences, they can lay a positive foundation. Keep this practice going as long as your child is interested, without forcing it on them. If your child is between the ages of 12 and 16, consider introducing them to books and stories they can read on their own. They will not only be able ...

The Olympics is a mega sports event held in every 4 years. This time, it has been hosted in France. This is the 3 rd Olympic event that has been hosted in France. The first Olympic event was hosted in France dates all the way back to 1900, following the first Modern Olympic Event hosted in Athens, Greece, then 24 years (100 years before today) later the next Olympic event was hosted in France was in 1924. France is located in the western part of Europe. Its capital is Paris, where the Olympics are being hosted. Paris is known as the city of Fashion, love, art, culture, architecture and monuments. The unique paintings and architecture in the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel are well known. There are a total of 35 stadiums in and around Paris where a sport will be held. All 35 stadiums are below: Ø   Aquatics Centre (Artistic Swimming, Diving, Water Polo) Ø   Bercy Arena (Gymnastics, Basketball, Trampolining) Ø   Bordeaux Stad...