Books by Arundhati Venkatesh
10 books by Arundhati Venkatesh in the Bookbear catalogue, with age ranges, short descriptions and where to buy them in India.
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Junior Kumbhakarna
Ages 4–8Indian author
Every night Kukku asks his father for the story of Kumbhakarna, the giant who sleeps for six months at a stretch, and every night he dozes off at the same moment the giant does. In his dream, everyone tries everything to wake the giant up. A wildly funny retelling of an episode from the Ramayana, illustrated by Shreya Sen.
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Bookasura: The Adventures of Bala and the Book-Eating Monster
Ages 6–9Indian author
While staying with his grandparents, Bala meets Bookasura, a many-headed monster who eats books. Bala keeps him at bay with a steady supply of stories, but what happens when the books run out? A funny celebration of reading and imagination, illustrated by Priya Kuriyan. Winner of the Comic Con India award for best children's publication.
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Koobandhee: The Adventures of Bala and the Book-Barfing Monster
Ages 7–10Indian author
Bala's books are under threat: from a book-chewing baby sister, a strict school librarian, and Koobandhee, a one-eyed monster who barfs up books and blames Bala for her upset stomach. The second Bookasura adventure, full of word play and bookish jokes.
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Petu Pumpkin: Tiffin Thief
Ages 6–9Indian author
Petu Pumpkin is always hungry, and when he starts emptying his friends' tiffin boxes they form a secret society to save their lunches. Magic potions flop and super glue goes wrong in this laugh-out-loud school story. The first Petu Pumpkin book and a winner of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award. Duckbill's hOle Books series.
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Petu Pumpkin: Tooth Troubles
Ages 6–9Indian author
The Gap Club has challenged the Fourth Standard to a football match, but they can't practise without a ball, and the ball depends on Petu's wobbly tooth falling out in time. A funny chapter book about friendship, teamwork and losing your first teeth. hOle Books series.
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Petu Pumpkin: Cheater Peter
Ages 6–9Indian author
When Petu starts cheating, his friends are sure he is headed for a life of crime. They try hypnosis, a home-baked truth serum and a DIY lie detector to set him straight. A funny story about honesty and friendship. hOle Books series.
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Petu Pumpkin: Freedom Fighter
Ages 9–12Indian author
When games periods are cancelled and their playground is threatened by land grabbers, Petu and his friends take inspiration from India's freedom fighters and protest. Along the way they face misleading media, credit-stealing politicians and scary security guards. A funny, timely story about standing up for what's fair, illustrated by Shilpa Ranade.
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I Want a Pet
Ages 5–7Indian author
Jasbir has always wanted a pet, not a sibling. Then one day a buffalo walks into his life and refuses to leave. A funny, warm Hook Book that bridges picture books and early chapter books, illustrated by Reshu Singh.
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Ramanujan: From Zero to Infinity
Ages 10–13Indian author
Young Srinivasa Ramanujan only wants to do maths at school in Kumbakonam, but this year there's no maths teacher. Instead, a string of odd substitutes has the boys lifting iron ingots, measuring milk and frying fish, and Ramanujan's team is drawn into a maths challenge he simply has to win. A funny story about the great mathematician as a boy, with puzzles to solve. Great Minds at Work series.
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Raman and Chandrasekhar: Lighting Up the Stars
Ages 10–13Indian author
Young Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar hates school, and his holidays are ruined when his uncle, the famous scientist C.V. Raman, comes to stay. Raman Chithappa pulls the eight children of the house into a string of physics experiments that disrupt everything. A funny introduction to two Nobel Prize-winning Indian scientists. Great Minds at Work series.
