In a couple of weeks, as March is all set to bid us goodbye, so do the dreaded final exams (phew!). With report cards tucked away and school bags shoved into some forgotten corner, kids are all set to dive into their well-earned summer break. But let’s be real—April brings with it the kind of heat that makes stepping outside feel like a punishment. And we all know what that means… hours of screen time, endless gaming, and “just one more episode” marathons.
But wait—what if we told you there’s a way to keep your child entertained, engaged, and far away from that scorching afternoon sun without turning them into screen zombies? That’s right, books! The perfect escape into adventure, magic, and mystery, minus the heatstroke.
Here at BookGeeks, we’ve scoured the literary world to bring you the most exciting, latest, and absolute must-read Indian children’s books of 2025. So, sit back, sip on that Nimbu Pani, and let your child dive into stories that are as cool as summer vacation should be!
Indian children’s books: Top 10 Picks of 2025
- 1. The Rabbit in the Moon: Two Tales from the Panchatantra by Meena Arora Nayak
- 2. Lil’ Muffin Drops the Mic by Romesh Ranganathan
- 3. The Temple Bell Mystery by Nalini Varanasi
- 4. Cuckoo Capers by Bijal Vachharajani
- 5. Regional Stories of India – Part #02 by Sarabjeet Garcha, Linthoi Ningthoujam, Madhumita Gupta
- 6. Submerged Worlds and Other Amazing Stories of India’s Mighty Rivers by Vaishali Shroff
- 7. Royal-ish: Lily’s Adventures in Bagradoo by Amrita Gandhi
- 8. Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna
- 9. The Wall Friends Club by Varsha Seshan
- 10. Ghosts, Thieves, and Aha! Adventures by Asha Nehemiah, Pankaj Saikia
1. The Rabbit in the Moon: Two Tales from the Panchatantra by Meena Arora Nayak
Age Group: 8 to 12 years
Looking for a book that’s equal parts fun, adventure, and life lessons? Look no further! This exciting retelling of Panchatantra fables brings to life some of the most legendary Indian animal tales.
In this beautifully illustrated collection, readers will step into the grand chambers of a mighty king, where a tiny louse and a sneaky bedbug debate the best way to get a taste of royal blood—only one will succeed, while the other meets a terrible fate! Meanwhile, deep in the jungle, a clever rabbit named Lambakarna must use his wits to protect his fellow creatures from a rampaging herd of elephants. Can intelligence outmatch brute strength?
Retold in easy-to-read prose and packed with vibrant artwork, this top pick in the list of Indian children’s books is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the timeless magic of Panchatantra.
2. Lil’ Muffin Drops the Mic by Romesh Ranganathan
Age Group: 8 to 12 years
What do baking, rap battles, and a giant pet rabbit have in common? Well, in comedian Romesh Ranganathan’s latest book, they come together in the most hilarious and heartwarming way!
Meet James, a boy who worries about everything—especially since his dad left. His favourite escape? Baking! Whipping up delicious brownies and muffins helps, but something still feels off. That is, until he stumbles upon rapping—a world where words, rhythm, and beats give him the confidence he never knew he had.
Before long, James is writing bars about music, muffins, and even his oversized pet rabbit, Graham! But when he finds out that grime superstar Brukka is searching for fresh talent, a crazy idea takes root—could this be his shot at sharing his raps, bakes, and maybe even his feelings with the world?
Packed with laughs, heartfelt moments, and a whole lot of fun, this book is a must-read for kids aged 8-12.
3. The Temple Bell Mystery by Nalini Varanasi
Ages: 9 to 15 years
A summer vacation in a quiet village sounds peaceful—until a sacred temple bell vanishes into thin air!
When six city-bred cousins—Namya, Taru, Surya, Raghu, Pammi, and Sanvi—arrive in Reypuram, they expect lazy days with their grandparents, exploring mango orchards and listening to bedtime stories. But when the village’s most prized possession disappears, their holiday takes an unexpected turn.
Determined to crack the case, the cousins (in their first adventure as the Reypuram cousins aka TRC) put on their detective hats. They follow clues, interview quirky villagers, and dig up long-hidden secrets. With each new twist, the mystery deepens—could it be an inside job, an ancient curse, or something even more shocking? As they navigate secret hideouts, suspicious strangers, and unexpected betrayals, their bonds are tested like never before.
Set in the nostalgic 1980s, this book beautifully captures the charm of rural India while delivering a gripping mystery packed with adventure, teamwork, and old-school sleuthing. With every twist and turn, the cousins not only solve the case but also discover the power of friendship, courage, and family bonds.
If your child loves mystery stories, village adventures, holiday reads and detective thrills, The Temple Bell Mystery is the perfect summer read! and a must-read Indian children’s books indeed!
4. Cuckoo Capers by Bijal Vachharajani
Ages: 8 to 12
The Mehta-Kamble household is in crisis—it just won’t rain! And to make matters worse, their beloved pied cuckoo, the traditional harbinger of the Indian monsoon, is nowhere to be seen.
Siblings Subhir and Kiana watch in absolute horror (and secondhand embarrassment) as their family launches one wild plan after another to bring the rains down. From bizarre rain-dance rituals to questionable culinary experiments, their home turns into a storm of chaos. Even Catrina the cat, who usually has the patience of a saint, is utterly done with it all.
But just when the kids think things couldn’t get weirder… something unexpected happens. Did their wacky plans actually work? No way. Or… could they have stumbled upon the secret to summoning the monsoon?
Set in a fun, whimsical Indian household, this laugh-out-loud story blends family madness, folklore, and monsoon magic into an unforgettable adventure. With quirky characters, hilarious mishaps, and a whole lot of heart, this book is a must-read for kids who love humor, mystery, and a touch of the unexpected!
5. Regional Stories of India – Part #02 by Sarabjeet Garcha, Linthoi Ningthoujam, Madhumita Gupta
Ages: 9 to 14 years
In Manipur, Bembem and her gang turn the Yaosang festival into a side-splitting treasure hunt as they chase down a missing coin. In Kolkata, Mishti battles six yards of sari chaos, all in her quest to nail the perfect Bengali wedding vibe. And in Nasik, Tushar isn’t just hugging trees—he’s on a mission to save the Godavari River, proving that real heroes don’t always wear capes.
This vibrant anthology takes young readers on an action-packed journey through India, blending tradition, adventure, and laugh-out-loud moments. Whether it’s festive fun, eco-warrior antics, or culture-packed escapades, these stories bring the quirks and charms of India to life in the most hilarious and heartwarming way.
Perfect for kids who love travel, humour, and adventure, this pick from our latest Indian children’s books list is a must-have for summer reading.
6. Submerged Worlds and Other Amazing Stories of India’s Mighty Rivers by Vaishali Shroff
Ages: 9 to 16
Rivers don’t just flow—they nurture, sustain, and shape entire civilizations. But what happens when human interference disrupts their natural course? Floods, droughts, displacement, and ecological devastation follow in their wake.
This powerful book takes readers on a riveting journey through India’s rivers, uncovering their past, present, and uncertain future. From the melting glaciers that feed them to the urban flooding that chokes them, from rampant sand mining and damming projects to river revival efforts and Indigenous wisdom, these stories shed light on the complex relationship between people and rivers.
Steeped in history, spirituality, politics, ecology, and economy, this book is a wake-up call in a world where the climate crisis is, at its core, a water crisis. With compelling narratives from those whose lives are interwoven with these lifelines, it urges readers to listen to the river’s gentle yet urgent voice.
A must-read for non-fiction lovers, environmental enthusiasts, and students seeking to understand the delicate balance of life in the Indian subcontinent—because to save our rivers is to save our future.
7. Royal-ish: Lily’s Adventures in Bagradoo by Amrita Gandhi
Ages: 9 to 16
Meet Lily Ray—a nature-loving tween, gumboot enthusiast, and accidental hero in the making! Her quiet life as a vlogger takes an unexpected turn when she receives a royal invitation to the faraway island kingdom of Bagradoo.
Armed with an oversized backpack and zero palace etiquette, Lily makes a not-so-glamorous first impression. But just as she’s getting used to the grand palace and its quirky residents, disaster strikes—the island’s most prized possession, the Ledger of Boons, is stolen! This ancient book holds the closely guarded secrets of Bagradoo, and if it falls into the wrong hands, the entire kingdom is in danger.
With time running out, Lily teams up with a misfit crew—a fashionable princess, a wacky professor, a well-meaning thief, and a snarky robot diary—to track down the missing ledger. Along the way, she uncovers hidden secrets, treacherous villains, and the true magic of the island.
Filled with laughs, adventure, and a touch of mystery, this book surely deserves a spot on this list of Indian children’s books of 2025, and is perfect for young readers who love daring escapades, unlikely friendships, and smart, sassy heroines!
8. Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna
Ages: 9 to 16
Step into a world where books talk, runes hold power, and monsters lurk in the shadows…
Vanya Vallen has always felt out of place. As a British-Indian girl in a mostly white town, she struggles with fitting in, her parents’ secretive pasts, and a brain that works differently from those around her. But one thing sets her apart the most—she can talk to books, and they talk back.
Her world turns upside down when a terrifying monster—one she thought only existed in fairy tales—attacks her family. Suddenly, the stories she’s always loved become real, and Vanya is swept away to Auramere, an enchanted library and training school for monster hunters and archivists. Life here is thrilling, filled with magic, adventure, and new friendships, but danger is never far away.
The Wild Hunt, a powerful and ruthless force, is on the prowl. As their leader’s sinister plans unfold, Vanya must harness her courage, creativity, and the magic of words to uncover the truth and protect the only place she’s ever truly belonged.
A spellbinding mix of fantasy, adventure, and mystery, this book is perfect for fans of magical schools, fierce heroines, and thrilling quests!
9. The Wall Friends Club by Varsha Seshan
Ages: 8 to 14
Sriya and Anandi have never met, but that hasn’t stopped them from becoming the best of friends! How? Through secret letters tucked into the crevice of a wall.
From poetry and birthday dreams to solving little mysteries, their messages become the highlight of their days. But when someone else stumbles upon their hidden exchange, they’re faced with an important question—is there room for a third member in the Wall Friends Club?
Told entirely through letters, this book is a charming and unique celebration of friendship, kindness, and the beauty of differences. Perfect for fans of heartfelt, slice-of-life stories, it captures the joy of connection in the most unexpected ways.
10. Ghosts, Thieves, and Aha! Adventures by Asha Nehemiah, Pankaj Saikia
Ages: 7 to 10
Ashish is convinced that spending time at his mother’s workplace will be the most boring thing ever. But he couldn’t be more wrong!
His mother, Ruth, works in a bookstore, and what seems like an ordinary after-school visit quickly turns into an unexpected adventure. Teaming up with Kavya, the owner’s niece, Ashish embarks on a thrilling mission—to catch a ghost haunting the bookshop and unmask a sneaky thief.
As they follow clues, uncover secrets, and navigate the world of books, the duo discovers that the bookstore holds more surprises than they ever imagined. But can they solve the mystery before it’s too late? Filled with suspense, fun, and a touch of the supernatural, this delightful read is perfect for young mystery lovers and bookworms alike!
And that’s wrap folks! With the upcoming summer in full swing, there’s no better time for young readers to embark on exciting new adventures through books. From magical quests and thrilling mysteries to heartwarming friendships, our list of the latest Indian children’s books of 2025 has something for everyone.
We hope you enjoyed our selection, and who knows—maybe one of these fantastic books will soon find a place on your shelf!
But did we miss a gem? If you think there’s a book that deserves a spot on this list of latest Indian children’s books of 2025, let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear your recommendations and keep the bookish fun going. Until then, happy reading and happy summer! 📚☀️