Mythology is a great way to teach your kids about important life sessions, values and more but in a fun way. With the characters and the narratives coming to life through exciting storytelling, these books are ideal for reading out to kids as well as reading along with them! In this curated article, you will find 24 awesome mythology books for kids written by Indian authors that are a must-read.
Indian Mythology books have always found their place on the shelf across households. And when it comes to books for children, they are very popular! If you’re looking for where to start, Indian mythology written by Indian authors is a great place to begin. These stories are so full of exciting elements that they have the unique potential of drawing the kids in, while keeping them engaged for a long period of time. Be it on ever-favourite characters like Hanuman and stories of Krishna to epics like the Ramayana and The Mahabharata, there’s always something thrilling to read about.
This curation of indian mythology stories for kids are interactive, and have been written by some of the best Indian authors out there. You’ve got ‘Powerful Hanuman’ by Anita Raina Thapan, a book series by Bhakti Mathur, Dasavatra by Piyusha Vir, ‘tales and legends from India’ by Ruskin Bond, ‘unusual tales about Rama and Krishna’ by Sudha Murty and so much more. The best part is that these picture books for children vary from different age groups, interests and story lines, ensuring that there’s something new for everyone. So, parents read on and get these books on Indian mythology for your kids. They will be an adventure of its own kind!
24 Indian Mythology Books for Kids by Indian authors
1. Full Amma Tell Me Series: Ten Book Set by
A box set of ten of the books in the ‘Amma Tell Me’ Series. The set includes the following books: 1. Amma Tell Me About Holi! 2. Amma Tell Me About Diwali! 3. Amma Tell Me About Ramayana! 4. Amma Tell Me About Ganesha! 5. Amma Tell Me About Krishna! 6. Amma Tell Me How Krishna Fought The Demons! 7. Amma Tell Me How Krishna Destroyed Kansa! 8. Amma Tell Me About Hanuman! 9. Amma Tell Me How Hanuman Crossed The Ocean! 10. Amma Tell Me About Hanuman’s Adventures In Lanka!
Age group: 2 to 8 yrs
2. Cutout Board Books Set : Gods- Krishna, Shiva, Hanuman, Ganesha by
Learn more about Krishna, Shiva, Hanuman and Ganesha through these beautifully illustrated cutout board books. It’s a lovely mix of DIY along with a bit of creativity coupled with a whole lot of learning and fun.
Age group: 3 to 5 yrs
3. Kahaani Puraani Interactive Children’s Book by Pridhee
A good story always keeps your hooked in one way or another and this story by Pridhee comes with an interactive board book that will tell the kids all about a tale from a time long, long ago! Kids can interact with it by rotating the wheel and pulling the tabs as they learn and have fun together. This is a story written in both Hindi and English.
Age group: 5 yrs+
4. Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth by Sanjay Patel & Emily Haynes
Who doesn’t like a good tale about our beloved Lord Ganesha! This here is a lovely narration about how Ganesha manages to break off his tusk while trying to bite into a super Jumbo Jawbreaker Laddoo. Though he is terribly upset, with the help of the wise poet Vyasa, he learns that what seems broken can actually be quite useful after all. The bold, bright colors of India leap right off the page in this fresh and funny picture book adaptation. With vibrant, graphic illustrations, expressive characters, and off-beat humor, this is a wonderfully inventive twist on a classic tale.
Age group: 5 to 9 yrs
5. Powerful Hanuman by Anita Raina Thapan
An exciting tale about the strong, powerful and wise Hanuman. The narration will really let your kids deep dive into the story and join the beloved monkey God and his army as they cross ancient lands in search of Sita, while learning about important life lessons on the power of friendship and courage.
Age group: 5 to 9 yrs
6. Harper Collins Festival Stories: Through The Year by Rachna Chhabria
India is a country of myriad festivals – in fact that’s one of things that makes our culture so unique. There’s always a celebration and always an opportunity to get together interspersed with smiles and joy. This book invites you to rejoice in festivals through the simple stories of twins, Natasha and Nikhil, as they experience an entire year of festivals and celebrations – starting with Lohri in January and ending with Christmas in December! The detailed descriptions and wealth of detail about each festival that Natasha and Nikhil record in their blog and journal will keep you coming back to it every time a festival comes by.
Age group: 5 to 12 yrs
7. Pashu: Animal Tales From Hindu Mythology by Devdutt Pattanaik
Hindu mythology is full of tales in which animals play important roles and come in many avatars. From being worshipped and feared to shaping the fate of the world, animals in mythology stories are always up to a great deal! This book, by Devdutt Pattanaik answers some of the most intriguing questions around animals – such as, how was a deer responsible for the events of the Ramayana? Why is Garuda the sworn enemy of the nagas? How did a mongoose teach Yudhishtira the true meaning of sacrifice? and more – through exquisite illustrations and his trademark charm and wit.
Age group: 6 yrs +
8. The Mahabharatha: A Child’s View by Samhita Arni
Indian mythology is incomplete without sharing the epic story of The Mahabharata with your kids. This book by Samhita Arni is just what you need to do that! A beautiful narration of the Mahabharata through a child’s point of view that will really help them connect with the story and the values.
Age group: 6 yrs +
9. Fun in Devlok Omnibus by Devdutt Pattanaik
Master storyteller Devdutt Pattnaik answers curious questions and reveals many secrets of the world of gods and demons in this delightfully illustrated omnibus, featuring all six tales in the fun in Devlok series.
Age group: 6 to 8 yrs
10. RAMAYANA STORIES (SET OF 12 BOOKS) by Om Books Editorial Team
This set of 12 books narrates the life and stories of Rama, first of the four sons of King Dasharatha. These books interestingly captures his life’s journey – how he grows up to become a compassionate prince, how he proves himself worthy of marrying Sita, his adventure of getting Sita back once she is kidnapped by the Demon king, Ravana and more. This series is a great way to educate and introduce your little ones to the life and times of Ram!
Age group: 6 to 10 yrs
11. Ramayan for Children by
The story of Lord Ram is one that is filled with excitement and adventure, that helps kids learn about important values and life lessons like friendship, relationships, loyalty, love, family values and more. This children’s book is a great way to get them started!
Age group: 6 to 10 yrs
12. Scholastic Book of Hindu Gods and Goddesses by Deepa Agarwal
Indian mythology is filled by stories on Hindu Gods and Goddesses who are known to have pulled amazing feats and this books will allow your kids to know more about them and their heroic deeds! With easy-to-understand text this books is perfect for independent readers and also for reading aloud to young children.
Age group: 6 to 12 yrs
13. Dasavatra by Piyusha Vir
Long before superheroes in capes conquered our imagination, there was Lord Vishnu. In Hindu mythology, wherever there is evil and whenever the world needed to be rescued, He would materialise to fulfil His role as a preserver and protector. This book, Dasavatara, is a fun retelling of stories about Vishnu’s ten avatars, how they manifest in the world and how they save it. The book also includes stories about fearless warriors, mystical and mythical creatures, gods and goddesses and powerful demons. The book stands out because of the dazzling illustrations that truly capture the essence of a mighty god and His timeless miracles.
Age group: 7 to 14 yrs
14. Tales and Legends from India by Ruskin Bond
Ruskin Bond is one of the most celebrated authors and his book of tales and legends from India does not disappoint. These stories are from different parts of the country, from followers of different faiths; stories of kings and commoners, tribal people and townsmen. Included in this collection are tales from the Mahabharata (‘Shiva’s Anger’ and ‘Shakuntala’); the Jataka (‘The Hare in the Moon’ and ‘The Crane and the Crab’) and from regional folklore (‘The Tiger-King’s Gift’ and ‘The Happy Herdsman’). The best thing about this book is that it uniquely showcases the wonderful ethos of India, as told by its most beloved storyteller.
Age group: 8 yrs +
15. Ramayana For Children by Arshia Sattar
The great epic Ramayana retold for the benefit of children! It’s the story of Lord Ram and how he navigates through challenges and victories in his life along with his brother Lakshman, his faithful friend, Hanuman and his beloved Sita.
Age group: 8 yrs +
16. 365 Tales from Indian Mythology by Om Books Editorial Team
Indian mythology is a rich repository of fantastic tales and this book provides the perfect introduction to them. The narration is concise and it has many illustrations that the kids are sure to love.
Age group: 8 to 12 yrs
17. Two-Epics-in-One by Devdutt Pattanaik
This children’s book by Devdutt Pattanaik comprises of 2 tales. One, The Ramayana from the perspective of Sita, the girl who chose and the other of The Mahabharata, where the five Pandavas and their cousins who fought not for revenge but for dharma. The stories empower and entertains a whole new generation of readers as the author narrates them through his easy and distinctive style.
Age group: 8 to 12 yrs
18. The Daughter from a Wishing Tree: Unusual Tales about Women in Mythology by Sudha Murty
A stellar book by one of India’s bestselling authors, Sudha Murty who takes the readers on an empowering journey with her narration about women in mythology. The stories focus on strength and mystery that were depicted in the ancient texts and epics, focusing on how these powerful women slayed demons and protected their devotees fiercely. From Parvati and Ashokasundari to Bhamati and Mandodari, this collection features enchanting and fearless women who frequently led wars on behalf of the gods, were the backbone of their families and shaped their own destinies. These tales are bound to remind our young readers of the strong female influences in their lives.
Age group: 9 to 12 yrs
19. The Vedas And Upanishads For Children by Roopa Pai
Reading books can open so many doors – of imagination, learning, creativity and so much more. And this book by Roopa Pai, delves into the Vedas and the Upanishads in a fun and engaging way that makes it relatable to children. And the fact that it is easy to carry around, makes it even more accessible!
Age group: 9 to 12 yrs
20. The Man From The Egg: Unusual Tales About The Trinity by Sudha Murty
The Trinity, consisting of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, is the omnipresent trio responsible for the survival of the human race and the world as we know it. This book by Sudha Murty, goes into details of the three all-important Gods from the ancient world and their extraordinary stories. Each story will take you back to a magical time when people could teleport, where animals could fly and reincarnation was simply a fact of life.
Age group: 10 yrs +
21. The Complete Mythology Collection by Amar Chitra Katha
Amar Chitra Katha has always been a favourite among kids and their ‘Mythology Mega Collection’ pack consists of 73 legendary mythological stories of India that are written and illustrated especially for yound readers. These stories are about popular heroes of Indian mythology and their tales of wisdom, valour, and triumph. Every story within this collection has been handpicked to highlight a different trait or virtue that will inspire the little ones. The compact box packaging makes it even more fun.
Age group: 10 yrs +
22. The Gita for Children by Roopa Pai
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the oldest texts available to us and when it’s reimagined and narrated for the kids of today, you know it’s going to have some important things to teach. The Gita for Children by Roopa Rai brings to life several important values like self-control, Karma and more but in a fun and relatable way so that kids can find it easy to understand and imbibe.
Age group: 10 yrs +
23. The Upside-Down King: Unusual Tales about Rama and Krishna by Sudha Murty
Did you know there was a time when bears spoke, the moon laughed and babies were found inside fish? Did you know Ravana’s half-brother was the god of wealth? And have you ever seen a man with a thousand arms?
The tales in this collection by Sudha Murty, surround the two most popular avatars of Lord Vishnu-Rama and Krishna-and their lineage. They are simply narrated for the ease of kids, allowing them to really make an impression on the hearts and minds of the present generation. So, get your kids together and tuck in for story time with tales of the days when demons and gods walked alongside humans, animals could talk and Gods granted the most glorious boons to common people.
Age group: 10 yrs +
24. The Mahabharata: Children’s Illustrated Classics by Charu Agarwal Dhandia and Kavita Singh Kale
The Mahabharata is one of the oldest and greatest epics of the world, comprising several stories and characters, adventures and battles, Gods, kings and queens. It is exciting and there are many teachable moments for kids as well. This series of ten small books specially designed for young children unravels the story of The Mahabharata while encapsulating all its magic and power. The illustrations are the best part of this book series as it makes them super engaging for kids and whether your little ones are avid readers or just starting on their reading journey, it will delight and encourage them to explore and learn values for their lifetime. Each book is complete in itself and revolves around a particular event or a story and this volume of the Mahabharata is an indispensable classic for every home library.
Age group: Upto 16 yrs
It’s time to let the reading begin! These mythology books for kids are great reads and are just perfect for family story time. The festivals, the Gods & goddesses, the awe inspiring anecdotes, the marvelous adventures and the wonderful moments of victory, love, friendship and more – there’s just so much to look forward to.
So, parents, take your pick and have a great time with these mythology stories written by Indian authors, you’re going to keep coming back for more!
Featured image credit: Freepik
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