Children's Day 2025: Indulge in these five books to inspire the next generation of dreamers

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Growing up is an a mix of everything intense and more that showcases the beauty of childhood. It is a world of constant wonder and joy where every moment and feeling is experienced as profoundly big. During these early years, imagination and curiosity have no boundaries, transforming every simple question into a vibrant glimpse of the future.

Visually and through stories, we are reminded of how strongly children hold onto the seed of possibility with a balance of optimism and curiosity. Nurturing this is how we nurture the future. What is the future we want? This question, echoing children's curiosity and wonder, leaves room for a world of possibilities and vivid visions of a world reimagined.

As India celebrates Children's Day today, these five timeless books from across India, capturing the many ways children dream, discover, and celebrate the magic of the world around them, while thinking of the future they wish to see:

1. What I Want
Authors: Gitanjali Das, Japani Shyam, Kamta Devi, Kritika Joshi, Lado Bai, Minakshi Vayeda | Illustrator: Gitanjali Das, Japani Shyam, Kamta Devi, Kritika Joshi, Lado Bai, Minakshi Vayeda
"What I Want" is a unique children's book that brings together six indigenous artists who share their dreams, hopes, and aspirations through vibrant and authentic storytelling. This collaboration not only highlights indigenous artistic expression but also supports cultural preservation and representation for young audiences.

This book is available in Hindi, Marathi and English.

2. The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street
Author: Nandita Da Cunha| Illustrator: Priya Kuriyan
The story revolves around how a little girl, Zara, inspired by her old craft teacher from school, Miss Gappi, takes steps to revive a garden that has over the years been turned into a dump yard. Along the way, the reader is taken on an amazing journey of discovering recycling, looking after the environment, and thinking of protecting our planet; all woven together in an incredibly tender, touching story.

This book is available in English and Hindi.

3. Mini's Questions
Author: Nandini Nayar | Illustrator Isha Nagar
Inspired by her class teacher, Ritu Miss, to ask questions to learn more about the world, five-year-old Mini keeps her family busy with her why and where; when and who. But when these very questions take on a life of their own, her family sits up and notices and, in short, learns the importance of Mini's Questions.

4. Anna's Extraordinary Experiments with Weather
Author : Nandita Jayaraj| Illustrator: Priya Kuriyan
This delightful biography follows Anna through her childhood and into her scientific career, where she became one of India's pioneering meteorologists. Her experiments, observations, and tools helped improve weather forecasting and research.

This book is available in English and Hindi.

5. How to Reach Mars and other Impossible Things
Author: Menaka Raman| Illustrator: Rajiv Eipe
The Indian Mars Mission has surely been of great interest to many children. On a field trip to the Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, curious and fearless Rabia seeks out the scientists and discovers the remarkable women behind the mission.

Most of these titles have been hand-selected from the Parag Honour List, a thoughtfully and carefully curated collection of wonderful children's books by Tata Trusts.