The Best of Indian Children’s Writing (BICW) award recognises the best Indian books for children in the age group of 3 to 12 years from publishers across India, published after 2005. Our carefully selected jury painstakingly read all submitted books, and our storytelling team verified the choices with children in classrooms across India. When we say “best”, we really mean it.
Completely
Indian
BICW rewards only authors of Indian origin. The book has to be set in an Indian (or neutral) context.
Absolutely
Original
Has to be original. No re-telling and rehashing, unless stunningly refreshing. No misappropriation.
Wholly
Contemporary
Contemporary characters, plot lines, and settings. Modern sensibilities. Rooted in the present.
Level 1
Regular 5 years old | Advanced 3 years old
Hurrah! The kids have started reading.
Three Friends
Three Friends is written and illustrated by Indu Harikumar, who gives the visuals a unique feel using a mix of fabric paint and embroidery on cloth.
Ramya’s Snack Box
Ramya’s Snack Box by C.G. Salamander is a tale about the importance of sharing, peppered with Chetan Sharma’s tantalising illustrations.
Frank Goes to the Market
Juicy apples and cheerful vendors help bring a bustling market to life, courtesy Chetan Sharma’s brilliant illustrations in Frank Goes to the Market, written by C. G. Salamander.
Balu’s Basket
Balu’s Basket by Chitra Sounder begins with Balu finding a basket. What does he do with it? The bright pictures create a vibrant backdrop for this story filled with generosity.
I Love You More
Karishma Mahbubani’s story I Love You More addresses a child’s natural worries and fears about sleeping away from his parent.
Where is Amma?
Written by Nandini Nayar, Where is Amma? follows Kiran’s search around the house for his mother. His pet cat’s expressions add a whimsical touch to this tale.
Minu and Her Hair
Minu and her Hair by Gayathri Bashi revolves around a little girl with wild, curly hair. Can she learn to love her untameable mane?
Annual Haircut Day
Annual Haircut Day by Rohini Nilekani has the simple humour and peppy visuals that resonate with children.
Level 2
Regular 6 years old | Advanced 4 years old
Are they really reading or just looking at the pictures?
The Pottering Pig
Based on the author’s pet, The Pottering Pig by Rohit Kulkarni is about Lalita the mischievous pig and her antics!
Gajapati Kulapati
Ashok Rajagopalan’s story, Gajapati Kulapati, asks the age-old question: what happens when an elephant catches a cold?
The Very Wiggly Tooth
Authored by Reshma Thapa-Gurung, The Very Wiggly Tooth tells the tale of an interesting Himalayan tradition about loose teeth.
The Night Monster
With Sushree Mishra’s poignant story and Sanket Pethkar’s haunting illustrations, The Night Monster will allay every child’s night-time fears.
Fooled You!
Debashish Majumdar’s story, Fooled You!, follows Rina on April Fool’s Day as she makes it her mission to not fall for any pranks.
Big Rain
Big Rain by Gayathri Bashi addresses the impact of natural disasters. It tells children that when we look after nature, it will look after us.
A Walk With Thambi
Proiti Roy’s soft watercolour illustrations in A Walk With Thambi provide sensory details and visual clues that heighten the story’s big reveal.
Neelu’s Big Box
Nandini Nayar’s story, Neelu’s Big Box, is a tribute to children’s limitless imagination, easily turning a simple box into something much, much more.
Level 3
Regular 6 years old | Advanced 4 years old
Oh! They really did read it. Phew.
The Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Leg
The Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Leg by Madhuri Purandare, follows a centipede trying to figure out which of her 750 legs is injured.
A Home Of Our Own
Meghaa Aggwarwal’s tale, A Home Of Our Own, is a poignant look at how children without homes take pleasure in a simple game of house-house.
Lunch-Friends
Lunch-Friends by Srividhya Venkat has Mihir finding a new home for the creatures he shares his lunch with, when their mango tree is cut down.
Satya’s Boat
Ayesha Sadr’s gorgeous illustrations in Satya’s Boat make a little girl’s dream of sailing a boat come alive, in fine-hued detail.
The Magic Umbrellas
Weaving fantasy into daily life, Theertha Raj’s tale The Magic Umbrellas is about umbrellas that go missing from school during the lunch break every afternoon, hinting at a mystery to be solved.
Thatha At School
In Thatha At School by Richa Jha, Oviyam is reluctant to take Thatha to school on Grandparents’ Day, because he wears a dhoti. Will she learn to accept him as he is?
Angry Akku
Angry Akku by Vinayak Varma is an amusing yet thought-provoking story that seeks to get to the bottom of why little Akku is so angry today!
A Silly Story of Bondapalli
Written by Shamim Padamsee, A Silly Story Of Bondapalli is a “bondaful” tale about the people of a kingdom who become addicted to bondas!
Level 4
Regular 7 years old | Advanced 5 years old
Hmm. Maybe they don’t need our help anymore.
A Book For Puchku
Authored by Deepanjana Pal, A Book For Puchku, has a tiny book-loving heroine who cannot reach the books on the library shelf because it is too tall!
Aditi Zoo
Written by Amrutash Misra and illustrated by Kruttika Susarla, Aditi Zoo follows a six-year-old in her mission to prove that she’s ready to be a big sister.
Wings To Fly
Sowmya’s Rajendran’s story, Wings To Fly, is based on the inspiring life of Malathi Holla, one of India’s finest international para-athletes.
The Sea In A Bucket
Written by the Avehi-Abacus Team and illustrated by Deepa Balsavar, The Sea In A Bucket is a colourful introduction to the water cycle.
Jadav And The Tree Place
Jadav and the Tree-Place by Vinayak Varma, is based on the real-life story of Jadav ‘Molai’ Payeng who planted an entire forest from scratch.
Kali And The Rat Snake
Kali And The Rat Snake by Zai Whitaker stars a little boy from a tribe of snake-catchers, who struggles to make friends at school, but eventually pulls off a stunning feat.
Nani’s Walk To The Park
Deepa Balsavar’s story, Nani’s Walk to the Park, is a trip around a city. The intricately detailed and vibrant lanes are a delight for readers, both young and old.
The Lonely King And Queen
The Lonely King and Queen by Deepa Balsavar is a one-of-a-kind bedtime story which handles the issue of adoption with sensitivity.
Level 5
Regular 8 years old | Advanced 6 years old
Hmm. Maybe they don’t need our help anymore. Will they make it to chapter books?
Kali Wants To Dance
Kali Wants to Dance by Aparna Kathikeyan is the true story of dancer Kali Veerapathiran and his passion for the art form since childhood.
How Old Is Muttajji?
Roopa Pai’s story How Old is Muttajji? is a tale that combines India’s history with memories and Maths. A unique combination!
The Enduring Ark
Joydeb Chitrakar’s illustrations in The Enduring Ark, an Indian retelling of the great flood, are in the vivid style of Patua scroll art from West Bengal.
The Forbidden Forest
The Forbidden Forest by Kay. S is about a boy who sneaks into the woods and gets turned into a tree! Will he ever return to normal?
Maccher Jhol
Richa Jha’s story, Machher Jhol, follows Gopu’s quest to get his ill father a comforting bowl of fish curry to make Baba feel better.
The Dog Who Taught Me Math
The Dog Who Taught Me Math by Sonali Shenoy shows that unconditional love helps children master subjects more effctively than stern scoldings.
The Adventure of Mooli and the Blue-Legged Alien
The Adventures of Mooli and the Blue-Legged Alien by Asha Nehemiah has two friends trying to pull off an original stunt for a cool website!
Timmi In Tangles
Shals Mahajan’s book, Timmi in Tangles, is a collection of stories revolving around the uber-creative Timmi and her imaginary friends.
Level 6
Regular 9 years old | Advanced 7 years old
Okay! We’re at Base Camp Books and the climb has just begun.
Camp Sweets: Monster Fun at Summer Camp
Camp Sweets: Monster Fun at Summer Camp by Nandini Nayar, is about Raj who reluctantly goes to a sweet-making camp. Will he learn to like jalebis and rasgullas?
Mira The Detective
Mira the Detective, authored by Pavithra Sankaran, is a set of tales that introduces children to the thrilling world of solving mysteries.
The Boy Who Asked Why
Sowmya Rajendran’s book, The Boy Who Asked Why, is the perfect way to introduce any child to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s extraordinary journey.
Mother Steals a Bicycle and Other Stories
Tejubehan’s illustrations enjoy pride of place in Mother Steals a Bicyle and Other Stories, embodying the beauty of traditional Indian art.
APJ Abdul Kalam: One Man, Many Missions
Written by Nalini Ramachandran and illustrated by Rajesh Nagulakonda, APJ Abdul Kalam: One Man, Many Missions records the inspiring legacy of Dr. Kalam.
The Boy With Two Grandfathers
The Boy With Two Grandfathers by Mini Srinivasan tackles the theme of loss with effortless humour and compelling storytelling.
Razia And The Pesky Presents
Razia And The Pesky Presents by Natasha Sharma, combines history and mystery. Razia Sultan is getting presents challenging her right to rule. Who is behind them?
Eeee… Here’s My Story!
Eeee… Here’s My Story! by Geeta Ramanujam and Karthika Gopalakrishnan is about growing up in 1960s India. It enthralls curious children and nostalgic adults.
Level 7
Regular 10 years old | Advanced 8 years old
We’re in Chapter Land and the pictures are disappearing fast.
The Adventures Of Padma And The Blue Dinosaur
Vaishali Shroff’s book The Adventures Of Padma And The Blue Dinosaur takes us back 66 million years to the dinosaurs that lived in India.
The Taxi Ride And Other Spooky Stories
Authored by the BLPS team, The Taxi Ride And Other Spooky Stories is a collection of seven ghostly tales to chill your blood.
Apoorva’s Fat Diary: The Diary Of An Indian School Girl
Apoorva’s Fat Diary: The Diary Of An Indian School Girl by Nandini Nayar, is a hilarious and honest peek into a twelve-year-old’s diary.
Manya Learns to Roar
Sruthi Rao’s book, Manya Learns to Roar, is about a child’s determination to overcome her stammer and snag a role in the school play.
Read More
6 Reading Sessions & Storytelling Plans – BICW Books
The BICW Levelling Process Explained
BICW Awards – The Origin Story
The BICW Awards – Frequently Asked Questions
BICW Awards 2019 – Winners List
BICW Awards 2018 – Winners List
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