The Ultimate Resource List of South Asian Toys, Books & Inspiration for Children
Sneak peek! Looking for books or toys that celebrate being South Asian? Whether you are Indian or Pakistani or Sri Lankan, the market for high quality products for our children is exploding.
This is my resource list of books, publishers, and educational toys for the desi baby. If you have a recommendation or a brand, comment or email me.
Disclosure: These are some affiliate links and I make a small commission if you buy through them (and it does not affect your price!). Buying through them means you help support to drink chai and write beautiful content. Namaskar.
Desi Babies
Twinkle Twinkle, Diwali Lights
Meet My Hindu Gods
My First Indian Coloring book
Krishna & Friends puzzle
10 Noisy Rickshaws
Indian truck and rickshaw stickers
Bharat Books
Always Anjali
Sarla in the Sky
Ganesh and the Little Mouse
Indian Alphabet
Studio Yali
A Puzzling Tour of India – Studio Yali
Take a bewildering trip through India that will have you winding your way through Assam’s tea estates, putting together a snake boat race in Kerala, and hunting for antiques at Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar. Just don’t get lost along the way!
Auge: 6 years+
Wanderlust: A Coloring Journal – Studio Yali
A Coloring Journal features 25 gorgeous scenes from lesser-known regions in India with travel notes by the artist, making this book an unforgettable tour of one of the most colorful places in the world.
Age: 10 years+
Authors & Illustrators
Hena Khan
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, I had no idea how big she was, I was just fueling my desi obsession. She has a book on shapes, Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets, as well as books on Ramadan, Muslim culture and holidays, Night of the Moon, It’s Ramadan, Curious George, and Under my Hijab.
Meenal Patel Studio – Illustrator and author Meenal does prints and books. Local to San Francisco Bay Area.
Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala
image via Meenal Patel Studio
Stories for South Asian Supergirls – Written by Raj Kaur Khaira and Pink Ladoo. Meenal Patel is one of the 10 illustrators.
Diwali, Celebrate the World Series – Board Book
My Diwali Coloring Book
Age: 4+, 24 pages
Reena Bhansali
My first Hindi Words – Things that Go!
Education & Toys:
Toka Box – Curated education boxes for older toddlers and young children.
Age: 3-5 years old, 5-7 years old
Language learning:
Sanskar Teaching – Learn Gujarati online with live and recorded classes. For children to adults.
Bolo Bolo Baby – Gujarati and Hindi Montessori inspired learning for children three years and up.
Hindi alphabet blocks – Uncle Goose
Gnaana alphabet blocks – Gnaana
A is for Anaar: My First Hindi Alphabet Book – Gnaana
For a full collection of South Asian books check my Amazon recommended list.
If you are an author or creator and would like us to add your product to the list, I’d love to review it! Email me at chotipreeti at gmail dot com.