Chitra Soundar

Sona wishes some things would never change Can she and her friends find a way to keep their beloved teacher from moving to her new husband's city? Sona and her friends are eager for their midterm break to begin, but Sona's plans to write a book and go on adventures are pushed aside when her teacher, Miss Rao, announces that she's getting married--and Sona and her classmates are all invited But Sona's excitement sours when she and her friends realize that after the wedding, Miss Rao might go to live with her husband in a different city. What if she never returns? Sona wishes Miss Rao would never get married Appa promises that change doesn't mean goodbye forever, and Amma reassures her that "fortune favors the brave." She tells Sona that if she wants something, she should go make it happen. Can determination and a warm heart--together with wishes on peacock feathers and an earnest petition to Miss Rao herself--help Sona to keep her adored teacher close? This book will be utterly relatable to any reader determined never to say goodbye.

Sona decides to run for class leader But her friend Joy is running too. Does Sona really want to lead, or just to win? Chitra Soundar shines a light on democracy in the latest book in this charming series. Sona's class is excited when Miss Rao announces that there will be an election for class leader. But when Pradeep, who is always boasting, says he would be the best choice, Sona knows she doesn't want him to win. So Sona stands up and volunteers to be a candidate too Strangely, her best friends, Joy and Renu, don't seem happy about it--in fact, they stop talking to Sona altogether. When it turns out that Joy also wants to run for class leader, Sona doesn't know what to do. It's true that Joy has some great ideas for the class, and Sona hasn't thought much beyond stopping Pradeep from winning, but Sona entered the race first and doesn't want to drop out. With advice and support from her family, Sona realizes that no one can become a leader on their own. Readers can explore election terms and ideas along with Sona, as well as a glossary of Indian words (like bonda, a delicious South Indian doughnut) at the back.

Sona decides to run for class leader But her friend Joy is running, too. Does Sona really want to lead, or just to win? Chitra Soundar shines a light on democracy in the latest book in this charming series. Sona's class is excited when Miss Rao announces that there will be an election for class leader. But when Pradeep, who is always boasting, says he would be the best choice, Sona knows she doesn't want him to win. So Sona stands up and volunteers to be a candidate, too Strangely, her best friends, Joy and Renu, don't seem happy about it--in fact, they stop talking to Sona altogether. When it turns out that Joy also wants to run for class leader, Sona doesn't know what to do. It's true that Joy has some great ideas for the class, and Sona hasn't thought much beyond stopping Pradeep from winning, but Sona entered the race first and doesn't want to drop out. With advice and support from her family, Sona realizes that no one can become a leader on their own. Readers can explore election terms and ideas along with Sona, as well as a glossary of Indian words (like bonda, a delicious South Indian doughnut) at the back.

Sona is determined to get her whole suburban Indian neighborhood to help fight climate change in this second heartwarming story. When Sona learns about the climate crisis at school, she worries that nobody is doing enough to combat it. So she takes up the challenge herself But her family isn't amused when Sona suddenly gets rid of her sister's diapers and turns off Thatha and Paatti's cooling fan during their nap. Sona finds a better way to implement change, at a family meeting where everyone helps make a list of ways to conserve. Energized, Sona sets her sights on the rest of the neighborhood. When she that learns many of the kolams--traditional art that people draw in front of their homes to celebrate the festival season--are not eco-friendly, she makes plans for some even bigger changes. Can Sona convince everyone to get involved--even her own strong-willed grandmother? Charming illustrations bring to life this heartening story and its delightfully eager main character, who is sure to inspire young environmentalists. Back matter includes a vocabulary list and a lesson on how to draw your own kolam.

'This bubbly, inclusive story, filled with meticulous detail, will be a winner for 7+ dance fanatics' - GuardianPirouette your way into the Shimmer & Shine dance studio, where the ballet besties are ready to put on a show!When Yara joins Shimmer & Shine, a community dance school, she meets lots of other children her age, who are there to either start their training or just for the fun of it. Soon she has a group of ballet besties she loves to dance with.But then Dame Clougston-Wilmott, their grumpy, dance-hating landlady, threatens to close the studio. Suddenly it's up to Yara and her new friends to keep Shimmer & Shine open!Will putting on a performance of The Sleeping Beauty reawaken the Dame's love for dance? Will Yara have the chance to dance her dream role of Aurora? And most importantly of all, can the ballet besties save their studio?A fun, inclusive and accessible series that will bring the joy of dance to young readers!

Sona Sharma lives in India with her busy family, where she learns about the ups and downs of family, friendship and life."Warmly loving and evocative" The Guardian Sona and her friends are excited to learn their beloved teacher, Miss Rao, is getting married – but then they panic that she might leave their school for ever after her wedding! They try all kinds of tactics, like wishing on a peacock feather and even starting a petition to keep Miss Rao. But Miss Rao's beautiful Indian wedding has a surprise in store for the girls.

Can Sona be the best big sister ever when she's not sure she even wants a baby sister or brother? Brimming with warmth and charm, this story set in India will resonate with new older siblings everywhere. Sona Sharma's house is full of three generations of people who joke often and argue sometimes. Relatives come over unannounced, the phone rings frequently, and friends drop by all the time. Then one day Amma tells Sona that she is going to have a baby. Is that good? Sona isn't so sure. She doesn't want to share her room or her things with a new baby, not to mention the attention of Amma, Appa, Thatha, and Paatti. And despite Amma's assurance that the sky always has room for new stars, Sona doesn't feel stretchy or bighearted like the sky. But when she learns there will be a baby-naming ceremony, she's determined to find the best name for her new brother or sister--one as nice as her own, a Hindi word for "gold." Perfectly pitched to young readers, this tale of warming up to change is followed by a glossary of words from India to explore in the story.

Sona Sharma combats climate change.When Sona learns about the climate crisis at school and is very worried that no one is doing enough to combat it, she takes up the challenge herself. But Appa isn't amused when Sona throws out her baby sister's nappies and Thatha isn't happy when she tells him to get rid of his colour-coded plastic files. When Sona learns that many of the kolams – the traditional art that people draw in front of their homes to celebrate the winter months and the festival season – are not organic, she sets out to make some big changes by getting everyone involved.

Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available. The people of Ketu are master artisans. They see the beauty of nature and make it come alive in their work. They draw patterns of art by copying the constellations of stars, and write poetry about the moon and its travels. The art of Ketu is unique because of the most important ingredient they use: their imagination. But when their village storyteller leaves, something has been lost. Will the people of Ketu ever regain their talents? Will the storyteller return? This inspiring story is written by Chitra Soundar. Lime Plus/Band 11+ books provide challenging plots and vocabulary as well as opportunities to practise inference, prediction and reading stamina. Pages 46 and 47 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall. Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

Being a big sister to a new baby brings big responsibilities.Sona Sharma's house is full of people who joke often and argue sometimes. Relatives come unannounced, the phone rings frequently and friends drop in all the time. Then one day Amma tells Sona she is going to have a baby. Is that good? Sona isn't sure – she has always enjoyed being an only child – and straight away she has a word with her best friend, Elephant. When Sona learns that there will be a baby naming ceremony, she is determined to find the perfect name for her new brother or sister. Because although she realizes that her life is about to change, and while she's having some difficulty in coming to terms with having to share everything with the new baby – including Amma and Appa, her grandparents and her home – Sona Sharma wants to be the very best big sister she can be.

A raucous picture book about difference, diversity and tolerance, from the author of CBeebies' Nikhil & Jay and Sona Sharma. A rousing verse picture book for 5 years plus, about celebrating yourself but also allowing others to be themselves, and learning celebrate other voices too. Narrated by two different child voices, "Me" and "You", this is a fun young debate about identity, inclusion and respectful coexistence. Joyfully illustrated by Sophie Bass, this is a picture book with universal messages for anyone who's ever felt "put in a box".

With vibrant, high-energy illustrations, this ode to being your true self (who else would you be?) is also an appeal to honor the individuality of all those you meet. You might be an artist, a gardener, a drummer, a tennis player, or all of the above. You might stand out or fit in, be part of the flock or a new kid on the block, be a hardworking early bird or a night owl who loves having fun. There are endless possibilities for who you can be, and this vibrant picture book, with its bold, swirling, intricate artwork and spirited verse, makes it clear you can be everything you wish. The dynamic pairing of author Chitra Soundar and illustrator Sophie Bass champions the joy of authentic selfhood but also strikes an equal plea for us to let others be themselves, too, no matter how unfamiliar they may seem--not to label them, snatch their tune, set boundaries, or tell them how to feel. For when you are anything you want to be, and I am my most magnificent self, could the "us" that results be any more fabulous?

The rain clouds are long gone and the dry season scorches the land. Everything is new for the baby giraffe. As she bounds ahead and lags behind, her mother patiently explains the ways of the grasslands. And until she grows a little taller, older and wiser, her mother reminds her: “You’re strong with me.”

A positive, life-affirming celebration of human diversity, from how we look, to how we think and how we celebrateA charming look at diversity for younger readers, A Billion Ways to Be explains and celebrates the beauty and variety of humankind, showing that there are billions of different ways to look, be a family and have fun, and all are equal. It also reveals how much we all have in common. Featuring simple text and bright, inclusive illustrations, this book is a great, child-friendly introduction to important concepts and values, such as respecting difference, valuing yourself and practising kindness and tolerance.Contents:A billion ways to be!/How we look/Ways to dress/Ways to be a family/Make it your own/Ways our bodies work/Ways our brains work/Our many personalities/Ways to learn/Ways to communicate/Ways to connect/Making a living/Ways to care/Ways to be green/Ways we eat/Ways to disagree/Ways to be a citizen/Ways to believe/Ways to celebrate/Ways to have fun/A billion ways to be unique

'This bubbly, inclusive story, filled with meticulous detail, will be a winner for 7+ dance fanatics' - Guardian, on Ballet Besties: Yara's Chance to DancePirouette your way into the Shimmer & Shine dance studio, where the ballet besties are ready to put on a show!Momoka lives to dance, and learning ballet at Shimmer & Shine with all her friends is a dream come true!So when her grandma, a world-renowned violinist who wants Momoka to follow in her footsteps, comes to visit, Momoka worries how she will break the news that she just wants to dance. She doesn't want to disappoint Grandma, but her heart belongs only to ballet.Can the ballet besties help Momoka to embrace her dream to dance? Will a performance of The Nutcracker go to plan when she's trying to juggle it alongside violin? And will Momoka ever find the courage to show Grandma just how important ballet is to her?A fun, inclusive and accessible series that will bring the joy of dance to young readers!

A dream-ride of a bedtime book, inspired by ancient Indian lullabies.Travel a lush dreamscape world as a father lulls his toddler towards sleep, weaving a quilt of dreams across the roaring seas and through the inky night - and dealing with some big toddler emotions en route. Sumptuously illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, and infused with the spirit and flora and fauna of India.

A positive, life-affirming celebration of human diversity, from how we look, to how we think and how we celebrateA charming look at diversity for younger readers, A Billion Ways to Be explains and celebrates the beauty and variety of humankind, showing that there are billions of different ways to look, be a family and have fun, and all are equal. It also reveals how much we all have in common. Featuring simple text and bright, inclusive illustrations, this book is a great, child-friendly introduction to important concepts and values, such as respecting difference, valuing yourself and practising kindness and tolerance.Contents:A billion ways to be!/How we look/Ways to dress/Ways to be a family/Make it your own/Ways our bodies work/Ways our brains work/Our many personalities/Ways to learn/Ways to communicate/Ways to connect/Making a living/Ways to care/Ways to be green/Ways we eat/Ways to disagree/Ways to be a citizen/Ways to believe/Ways to celebrate/Ways to have fun/A billion ways to be unique