Our pick of children’s books with South Asian characters

Billy and the Beast by Nadia Shireen (3+ years)

An outdoor adventure to make eyes widen can be found in this bright and vibrant picture book. Children will join the curious Billy, a modern-day heroine, and her hopeless hangry pet cat Fatcat as they set off on an adventure in the woods. It all starts when Billy and Fatcat encounter a Terrible Beast making a Terrible Soup! Luckily, Billy is a quick-thinking hero in this terrific tale. Billy and Fatcat return in their second adventure where Fatcat gets kidnapped by a fire-breathing dragon and Billy sets out to save the day!

Chapatti Moon by Pippa Goodhart (3-5 years)

“She rolled a chapatti, flat and round, then put it into a big hot pan, where it began to puff and crisp and turn wonderfully golden. ‘Perfect,’ said Mrs Kapoor.”

In this hilarious modern take on the runaway pancake story, Mrs Kapoor and a host of animals and friends give chase to a cheeky chapatti! Little readers will love the excitement and fun as they follow the trail of the chapatti bouncing and bursting through the book – where will its adventure end?

Jellybean Goes To School by Margaret Roc (3-5 years)

“Don’t worry,” Mum said. “School starts soon. There will be lots to do and you will make lots of friends.”

Before the term starts, Jellybean longs to go to school and make new friends. But on her first day, the playground seems so big and noisy – she doesn’t want to leave Mum’s side. With the help of her teacher, who brings magic into the classroom, and her special new friend Alex, can Jellybean settle in? This imaginative and inspiring picture book is perfect for little ones starting nursery or school. 

Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai (5-12 years)

“I would draw... the most beautiful dresses in the world for my mother... the best buildings in the valley for my father, so he could open many schools where children would study for free.”

Nobel Peace Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Malala Yousafzai's first picture book will inspire a younger audience to see the magic in the world around them. As a girl growing up in Pakistan, Malala longed for a magic pencil, to fix the problems in her everyday life. But as she got older, Malala began to understand there were more important things in the world that needed changing. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells Malala's story in her own words, showing younger readers how she held onto hope, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World by Judd Winick (7-12 years)

“Then a boy fell from the sky. But he wasn’t a boy. He was a robot, he came from another dimension. His name was HILO.”

D.J. and Gina are TOTALLY ordinary kids. But their friend Hilo is an alien robot from another world! Just when he seems to be settling into life here on Earth, some VERY STRANGE creatures start appearing from portals that are popping up all over town. They’re threatening to destroy everything – can the trio save the day?

Blackberry Blue by Jamila Gavin (9-11 years)

“If something precious is lost, then the search must never end until it is found. But sometimes it means paying a high price to win back what has been taken away.”

You’re never too old to enjoy a fairy tale, and Jamila Gavin gives six familiar European stories a twist in this stunningly illustrated collection. From wicked witches and magical forests to talking animals and heroes triumphing against adversity, all these stories feature characters from different ethnic backgrounds that better represent Europe today. One of our favourite tales, The Purple Lady, follows Abu who must rescue his missing sister. These wonderful fables are lovely to read solo or out loud.

Sami's Silver Lining by Cathy Cassidy (9-11 years)

“I am lucky, lucky, lucky… or so they tell me. I didn’t choose any of this, and new beginnings feel empty and hollow when you have nobody to share them with.”

Syrian refugee Sami is doing his very best to start a new life in England, but he’s haunted by his painful past. Even though he’s made friends in the Lost and Found band, memories of his treacherous journey across icy waters are never far away. As romance blossoms with the girl of his dreams, can the promise of a brighter future help to thaw Sami’s heart? This moving and heart-wrenching story is the next must-have book in Cathy Cassidy’s brilliant Lost and Found series.

Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties by Humza Arshad & Henry White (9-11 years)

“B to the A to the D to the Man; if other rappers can’t, Little Badman can. Straight from the hood like a rat from a drain; rhymes so sick they’re melting your brain.”

If you don’t know who Little Badman is, watch this space. He’s the greatest ninja-rapper-gangster to have ever emerged from Eggington and soon everyone will know his name. But first, he’s got to figure out why all the teachers at his school keep disappearing? And although their snacks are so delicious, where do all these Aunties keep popping up from?