Children’s Special 2023: Reading various versions of the past

"Why?” That simple question from a child, repeated over and over as they try to make sense of the world, can drive one to frustration. “There is no denying that we need diverse tellings of history, especially in the present,” says Radhika Menon, publishing director of the 27-year-old independent children’s publishing house, Tulika Books. ‘Unknown Heroes Of India’s Freedom Struggle’ by P. Sainath Illustrated by 16 of India’s best artists, including Priya Kuriyan and Satwik Gade, and released in September by Tulika Books, this is the children’s version of veteran journalist P. Sainath’s moving 2022 book about the forgotten foot soldiers of India’s freedom struggle. ‘India Through Archaeology: Excavating History’ by Devika Cariapa Archaeology may seem rather dry for a child—until you read archaeologist Devika Cariapa’s chatty book that takes a reader through two million years of history. ‘A Chola Adventure’ by Anu Kumar Part of Puffin Books’ Girls Of India series, the title of Anu Kumar’s book leaves little to the imagination: Three pre-teens living during the reign of Rajaraja Chola in southern India find themselves embroiled in an adventure that involves a rescued Chinese sailor, a murder, a missing statue and the peace of the Chola kingdom itself.