Namita Moolani Mehra

Anni’s on a mission to YUM! The café across the street from Anni’s home in Little India makes the best biryani in the world. Fluffy and fragrant, spicy and succulent—Anni could eat it every day. In fact, Anni loves that biryani so much that she’s determined to uncover the secret to the recipe. She has so many questions for Uncle, the grumpy chef and owner of the café. But he isn’t providing any easy clues. So, with some careful planning, Anni sets out on a mission to find out the secret ingredients to this most special dish. Will Anni get the answers she’s looking for…before it’s too late?

Climb in the rickshaw Chalo Off we go, go, go Experience the magical sights, sounds, and delicious smells of India in a rollicking picture book begging to be read aloud. Beep beep Honk honk Watch that rickshaw go?zigging and zagging, dartingand weaving?all through the boisterous, bustling city streets.Wandering cows, traffic jams, potholes, wallahs hawking their wares?nothing will get in the way of the perfect finish tothis busy day. With a spirited text, fun sound words, and colorful scenes full of dazzling detail, every child who has ever recited Chicka Chicka Boom Boom or sung every verse of "The Wheels on the Bus"will be clamoring to climb on board. Readers hankering for more will find back matter offering an author's note and a glossary of Indian words.

Aneesa and her family are getting ready to celebrate Diwali. But this year is extra-special. It's baby Ameera's first ever Diwali and older sister Aneesa is on hand to show her exactly what to do, and what every part of the celebration means and why it is so magical. This is a perfect introduction to Diwali for young children, with 144 flaps to peer behind and discover more details about the festival. Buy special Diwali swets with dad and cook up a feast in the kitchen with Grandma and Grandpa. Get the house ready and decorated and make rangoli patterns with cousins. This is a book to pore over and bring out every year.

Aneesa and her family are getting ready to celebrate Diwali. But this year is extra-special. It's baby Ameera's first ever Diwali and older sister Aneesa is on hand to show her exactly what to do, and what every part of the celebration means and why it is so magical. This is a perfect introduction to Diwali for young children, with 144 flaps to peer behind and discover more details about the festival. Buy special Diwali swets with dad and cook up a feast in the kitchen with Grandma and Grandpa. Get the house ready and decorated and make rangoli patterns with cousins. This is a book to pore over and bring out every year.

From celebrated author Namita Moolani Mehra and acclaimed artist Khoa Le of Say My Name comes a meditative and hope-filled picture book about the greatest mother of all: Ganga, the holy river that runs through India and is beloved by millions. Young Ananda knows all about the goddesses’ healing waters and soothing powers but has never experienced them for herself...until now.Born in a glacier, high up in the Himalayas.A river worshipped by millions.A goddess.With her Mamma sick, Ananda and her Maasi, her aunt, make their way to the great river Ganga to experience the powerful tradition of bathing in the river’s healing waters. It’s within the Great Mother’s swirling embrace that Ananda embarks on a healing and eye-opening journey, finding more than she ever could have imagined along the way.From celebrated author Namita Moolani Mehra and award-winning artist Khoa Le comes a story about the peace, healing, and hope nature often provides.Praise for The Greatest River:"A quietly affecting story about nature providing emotional succor...An earthy palette, etching-like detailing, and watery flowing lines lend Le’s immersive digital renderings an emotional heft that movingly pairs with the story as it traces Ananda’s transformation from worried to consoled." —Publishers Weekly"A great sense of peace and calm felt by those who love the river is translated to readers...This piece of literature beautifully represents the Ganga river and serves to educate readers on the Hindu beliefs and practices surrounding the river." —School Library Journal"The serene digital illustrations complement the emotional arc recounted in the gentle text…about the “magic” of India’s Ganga, a 'holy river' worshipped as a goddess." —Horn Book magazine

Set during the Partition of India, a moving story about a girl who helps others the only way she knows how: by cooking up a small taste of home. Veena loves her home, especially spending time in the kitchen learning how to make roti. But everything changes when India suddenly becomes free from British rule, and the country is to be divided in two according to religion. Fearing for their safety, Veena's family flees in the middle of the night. They make their way to a dusty and crowded refugee camp, where life is difficult and her family struggles. Even the roti is different from what Veena remembers from home. She wants to do something to bring hope and comfort to the people at the camp. By making them tasty roti, maybe Veena can use her skills to lift everyone's spirits. This poignant picture book is based on the experience of author Namita Moolani Mehra's grandparents, who left nearly everything behind when they fled Sindh province in 1947 during the Partition of India. Sensitively written, the story can serve as an excellent starting point for classroom discussions of migration and refugees. Veena is an engaging and resourceful girl who helps put a face to the refugee experience. Beena Mistry's colorful illustrations bring a relatable warmth to the story. The content also connects to social studies lessons on conflict and change, local and global communities, and the cultural importance of food. Back matter includes an author's note, a map, contextual information about Partition and a glossary.

A celebration of family love and the light we share with the world. Diya is excited to be going to India for Diwali, the Festival of Lights. That means she’ll get to spend time with Nani, her beloved grandma, who she hasn’t seen since her family moved from India. Now India is 7,850 miles away… Once Diya arrives in India, she immediately feels at home with Nani. Together they go shopping at the bazaar and prepare for the festival. As Diya and Nani celebrate Diwali together, Diya’s heart soars. But all too soon, her trip will come to an end. Is there a way for Diya to take some of the light and magic of Diwali with her when she leaves?