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| National Library Day |
Libraries were the magical portals of our childhood, fortresses of imagination where we tiptoed between tall shelves, hearts pounding in search of hidden treasures.
Between the scents of old paper and the hush of turning pages, we found worlds brimming with adventure, laughter, and wisdom, all nestled within the quiet magic of the library itself. Whether we borrowed books on dragons or dreamers, those quiet, intent hours shaped our thirst for stories and curiosity for the world.
This National Library Day, here are 5 books that capture the power of words and warm spaces that your child can enjoy:
1. Our Library
Author: Raviraj Shetty | Illustrator: Deepa Balsavar
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Step into a library where everyone belongs where silence isn’t a rule and fitting in isn’t a requirement. In Our Library, readers meet a joyful, inclusive space filled with light, laughter, and the freedom to simply be. From book towers and toy corners to quiet moments under torchlight, this gentle picture book celebrates the magic of libraries and the communities they nurture.
With beautiful illustrations, Our Library is a warm invitation to imagine a world where everyone thrives; where stories come in Braille and pictures, readers come with wheelchairs and headscarves, and no one is ever left out. This is an ode to community, love, care, and the power of a welcoming library.
2. A book for Puchku
Author: Deepanjana Pal | Illustrator: Rajiv Eipe
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Puchku loves reading but realizes that she has read every book in the library. Suddenly, to her delight, she discovers a bookshelf she has never seen before. The only problem? She can’t reach the books. An endearing story, this visually captivating book tells the story of a young girl making the most of her summer in a space that gives her comfort and quiet, while others chase the sun and the noise.
3. Noon Chai and Story
Author: Adithi Rao | Illustrator: Ghazal Qadri
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An emotionally resonant story about books, and what they mean to those who don’t have them, this tale is set in Gurez, an isolated village in Kashmir, centered around little Amiya and her grandmother, Deidi. It revolves around the local tradition of Noon Chai, or pink tea, and the meaning and power of storytelling to preserve and connect with culture.
4. Nabiya
Author: Chatura Rao | Illustrator: Ruchi Mhasane
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It is hard not to notice Nabiya in English story classes. She listens so hard that she hardly blinks! Slowly, she begins to explore stories, delight in their words, pictures and funny moments. This story about a spirited young girl, who likes football as much as she likes storybooks that she is determined to learn to read. Using a collage of colours, textures and drawings, the illustrations evoke Nabiya’s everyday world in a small room on a crowded Mumbai street and her journey into the world of words.
5. When Adil Speaks, Words Dance
Author & Illustrator: Lavanya Karthik
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A heart-warming story about words that dance to the music within him, this book follows Adil’s life as he communicates through sign language, raising meaningful conversations on inclusion and the power of friendship. It depicts his relationship with words and how he communicates differently from other children around him through sign language, offering empathy to a sensitive dialogue.
Each of these titles has been hand-selected from the Parag Honour List, a thoughtfully and carefully curated collection of wonderful children’s books by Tata Trusts, designed to advance access to quality children’s literature in vernacular languages – empowering inclusive and lifelong learning, and fostering environments where every child can explore, grow, and succeed and contributing meaningfully to the nation-building journey through education.
The article was first published on 12 August, 2025 on News18.
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