7 brilliant picture books with South Asian representation

Author Farrah Riaz shares her favourite books that star South Asian characters. 

How special would it be if you were spoilt for choice in reading about characters who looked like you? 

Growing up in the UK and reading the books I read as a child, I only saw South-Asian characters in non-fiction books about religious festivals such as Ramadan, Holi, and Diwali. I didn’t get to read about the actual characters, their personalities, their emotions, or what was happening in their little lives. 

I read widely, and my vivid imagination allowed me to become fully immersed and empathise with characters who didn’t look like me, but how wonderful would it have been to have had that childhood experience? Answer – very. 

When you don’t see yourself in stories, it can reinforce the belief that no one wants to read about you. No one wants to know about you. You’re not a part of the picture.  

And that is simply not true. Reading about diverse characters represented in all sorts of ways increases emotional intelligence, builds empathy, and creates awareness of the world around you beyond your doorstep.  

I am thrilled to write this article because I got to choose seven picturebooks by seven fabulous South Asian writers. I love to see South-Asian characters as the main protagonists and see them in DIFFERENT types of stories - ALL EQUALLY IMPORTANT. I hope you like my selection. 

The Bedtime Boat, written by Sital Gorasia Chapman and illustrated by Anastasia Suvorova 

It’s been a really exciting day for Chandan, and he has trouble calming his whizzing thoughts at bedtime. When he calls out for Mum, she shows him how to use the bedtime boat to keep focused on his breathing. A few whales, sharks and pirates sneak through! But Chandan eventually uses the boat to bring him back and lull him to sleep. 

It’s a lovely book that teaches mindfulness techniques. The stunning illustrations complement the dreamy rhyming text. A book that can be read over and over again.  

Nabil Steals a Penguin, written by Nishani Reed and illustrated by Junissa Bianda 

This is such a hysterical book! Nabil is on a trip with his parents in France when he meets Pierre, the penguin, who is fed up with eating fish and wants to try a more exciting dish. When he tastes Nabil’s biryani rice, he Au Revoirs his friends and jumps into Nabil’s rucksack to go home with him.  

In the house, Pierre is naughty, chaotic and fun. And, unexpectedly, when Mum sees the penguin, instead of being angry, she wants to know if Nabil has fed him a good meal!  

The illustrations are brimming with cuteness and buckets of personality.  

Can You Find My Eid Presents?, written by A.M.Dassu and illustrated by Junissa Bianda 

It's the day before Eid, and Mummy needs help. She asks Hana to get the Eid presents from her room, but Mummy doesn’t know that Daddy has already taken all the presents next door to Nani’s house! We follow Hana, searching for the presents and worrying that Eid will be spoilt if she can’t find them. Of course, it ends well, and spending time with the family is the greatest gift of all. 

The illustrations are adorable and beautiful, bright and colourful, and have lots of background detail that make the spreads all the more fun.  

Dadaji’s Paintbrush, written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane  

I adore the relationship between Dadaji and his grandson. How Dadaji teaches him how to paint with twigs/cloth/flowers/fingers, and how the little boy gets older and enjoys the company of his Dadaji. And then Dadaji dies. The grandson doesn’t want to paint anymore. He doesn’t want to look at the special paintbrush Dadaji left him. Until one day, a little girl knocks on the door and asks him to teach her how to paint…  

The illustrations are masterful dreamy, smudgy, pastel hues that capture the story's emotions.  

Often, books discussing grief get classified as special, niche, or grief books, but I think they are important for ALL children to read, just like any other picture book. They create compassion and understanding. A child in their class could be experiencing a loss, or they hear adults discussing the death of someone they know. This is a beautiful, touching book with lots of heart.  

Stop! That’s Not My Story!, written by Smriti Halls and illustrated by Erika Meza 

I love this one. A girl opens a book and falls into the pages of stories that are NOT her story. She isn't Goldilocks with blonde ringlets, Jack climbing the Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood or Sleeping Beauty, and no, she doesn’t want to be kissed by a prince! 

Falling out of the pages, she decides to write her own stories in which she will be the hero – with a character who looks like her! 

The illustrations are full of feisty expression and character, and in some spreads, you turn to see her tumble down to the next page. It’s very clever.  

Holi Hai!, written by Chitra Soundar and illustrated by Darshika Varma 

This is a bright and beautiful book. Gauri looks forward to celebrating Holi, but she gets grumpy when she doesn’t get her favourite colour. I loved learning more about the Holi festival as the story unfolded and how all the family members created their colours using natural ingredients. When Gauri hears the story of the demoness who wielded fire against her nephew, she questions if she has the strength to let go of her anger and enjoy the festivities with her family.  

The back matter is excellent, with a glossary of terms, information on the festival of Holi and how to make the colours with the help of an adult.  

Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines, written by Alom Shaha and illustrated by Emily Robertson  

Illustration: Emily Robertson

This is a non-fiction picture book – I’'ve snuck it in because it's written by a children’s writer who is also a science teacher. The illustrations are fabulous, and all the ‘Marvellous Machines’ would be great fun to make with a child. There are clear step-by-step instructions on how to make each machine with the help of an adult, with materials already in our homes. Filled with lots of fun facts that are both interesting and engaging.  

Farrah Riaz is the author of The Twirly Wiggly Dance, illustrated by Navya Raju. She is a London-based author from a Hindustani background. She has always been a storyteller, first as a child playing with Barbies, then as an adult with The Sims.

Creating characters in all sorts of narratives brings her a lot of joy. When she isn’t living in fantastical worlds or spending time with her loved ones, she works in Higher Education.