Lavanya Naidu – illustratör

Shanti and her parents say goodbye to the monsoon rains in their Indian village. They move to a snowy town on the other side of the world. At first, it isn't easy for Shanti to be new. Back and forth she trudges between her family's Bengali traditions and her new country's culture. Again and again, in between.She feasts on biryani rice while kids in town eat hot dogs and PB&J sandwiches. She watches Bollywood movies at home and Hollywood movies with new friends. Is she still Indian? Is she becoming American? How should she define home?

Bread is many things.Bread is simple. The dough can be made with just flour, salt, starter, and water.Bread is science. With the right ingredients, in the right amounts, the dough grows and changes.Bread can be unpredictable. Sometimes it rises, like a soft pillow. Sometimes it’s flat and crunchy.But bread is always delicious, especially when it is made with love.

A humble mouse learns she has the same magical abilities as her favorite fabled hero and must save the world from grave danger in this ';darling and adventurous' (Shelf Awareness, starred review) first book in the cozy illustrated middle grade fantasy series Bravepaw that's perfect for fans of The Tale of Despereaux and Kelly Barnhill.Titch Proudleaf has always dreamed of adventure, just like in the legends of gallant mouse hero Bravepaw. But nothing ever happens to small mice living in quiet villagesuntil a lost prince and dark magic find their way into the Plateau. When Titch saves the prince from the brink of death, she finds out that the world of Alluria is in grave danger, and by a twist of fate, it's up to her to make things right. And so, equipped with a magical staff that sometimes works and accompanied by her best friend Huckleberry, Titch sets out on a quest that will change her life and the world of Alluria forever. But Titch knows she's no Bravepawhow can she ever hope to live up to the legend?

SHORTLISTED: 2025 Book of the Year for Younger Children, Australian Book Industry AwardsSHORTLISTED: 2024 Best Children's Fiction, Aurealis AwardsSelected as one of the Best Middle Grade for 2024 - Readings Books A fully illustrated and brilliantly readable adventure full of magic and prophecy, quests, heroism and loyal friendship - the world of Bravepaw will hook young readers until the very last page. This is the stuff of legend. Titch has always longed for adventure - just like the gallant mouse hero Bravepaw in all her favourite stories. But she is the smallest mouse in her family, living in a peaceful little village where nothing exciting ever happens . . . until DIRE TROUBLE comes to the Plateau! Titch and her best friend Huckleberry must set out on a DANGEROUS QUEST to take the Heartstone to repair the crack in the heart of Alluria before the whole world breaks apart. Can Titch ever hope to live up to the legend of Bravepaw? Inside the Bravepaw series you will find: - Lots of stunning illustrations by Lavanya Naidu - Open and easy design - Against-all-odds quests, with cliffhangers and page-turning action - Cosy fantasy and ride-or-die friendships - Many ways to be brave! You will love Bravepaw if you are: - an emerging reader keen to test your new skills with a fast-paced, accessible adventure - a parent keen to foster a lifelong love of reading, story and adventure in your kids - a teacher looking for a great classroom read - a fan of Redwall, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, or Wings of Fire, or Warrior Cats The Bravepaw series in order: - Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria - Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire - Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall

A fully illustrated and brilliantly readable adventure full of magic and prophecy, quests, heroism and loyal friendship - the world of Bravepaw will hook young readers until the very last page. This is the stuff of legend.Titch and Huckleberry are on an epic quest. They have followed their hearts ... right into the path of a terrifying swamp monster, and a village full of brainwashed squirrels!Maybe their hearts aren't to be trusted? Maybe Titch is just an ordinary little mouse and not Bravepaw after all ...?But Bravepaw or not, Titch is not about to give up. Can she defeat the greedy turtle controlling the squirrels, and discover what his glowing green gem has to do with the legend of Bravepaw and her quest to save Alluria?Inside the Bravepaw series you will find: - Lots of stunning illustrations by Lavanya Naidu - Open and easy design - Against-all-odds quests, with cliffhangers and page-turning action - Cosy fantasy and ride-or-die friendships - Many ways to be brave! You will love Bravepaw if you are: - an emerging reader keen to test your new skills with a fast-paced, accessible adventure - a parent keen to foster a lifelong love of reading, story and adventure in your kids - a teacher looking for a great classroom read - a fan of Redwall, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, or Wings of Fire, or Warrior Cats The Bravepaw series in order: - Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria - Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire - Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall

Titch knows that she must find the Gems of Harmony if she is to have any hope of fulfilling the prophecy of Bravepaw. If only she knew where to begin her quest! The magnificent Library of Lexhelm seems to hold the answers, or at least its books can help Titch and her friends ask the right questions as they journey into danger ... But prophecies can be twisted, enemies can be slippery, and sometimes the person it is hardest to trust is yourself. With all of Alluria on the line, can Titch make the right decision? Inside the Bravepaw series you will find: - Lots of stunning illustrations by Lavanya Naidu - Open and easy design - Against-all-odds quests, with cliffhangers and page-turning action - Cosy fantasy and ride-or-die friendships - Many ways to be brave! You will love Bravepaw if you are: - an emerging reader keen to test your new skills with a fast-paced, accessible adventure - a parent keen to foster a lifelong love of reading, story and adventure in your kids - a teacher looking for a great classroom read - a fan of Redwall, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, or Wings of Fire, or Warrior Cats The Bravepaw series in order:- Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria - Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire - Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall

When the sky fills with shadows and all is turned to grey... Bravepaw will come.Titch and Huckleberry have journeyed a long way from their cosy home on the Plateau - and all they want to do is go home, eat some tasty plums and play in the cooling stream. But Titch is a hero now, whether she likes it or not, and heroes do not give up, not when Alluria needs heroes more than ever before! Titch knows that there are many ways to be brave, and she has friendship, brave and true, on her side - but will that be enough to stand against the forces of darkness, when all of Alluria is cracking open? Now, at the final hour, will the prophecy be fulfilled? Can Bravepaw unite the Gems of Harmony and save the world? Inside the Bravepaw series you will find: - Lots of stunning illustrations by Lavanya Naidu - Open and easy design - Against-all-odds quests, with cliffhangers and page-turning action - Cosy fantasy and ride-or-die friendships - Many ways to be brave! You will love Bravepaw if you are: - an emerging reader keen to test your new skills with a fast-paced, accessible adventure - a parent keen to foster a lifelong love of reading, story and adventure in your kids - a teacher looking for a great classroom read - a fan of Redwall, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, or Wings of Fire, or Warrior Cats The Bravepaw series in order: - Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria - Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire - Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall - Bravepaw and the Songstone of the Deep

NOTABLE BOOK: 2022 CBCA Picture Book of the YearSix-year-old Asiya loves to go to Nanu's house. Best among all of Nanu's treasures is the big old chest filled with quilts that tell the stories of the women in Asyia's family.With gorgeous, fresh and beautifully colourful illustrations inspired by Bangladeshi katha quilts and traditional West Bengali pattachitra panel illustrations, The Katha Chest is a beautifully woven tale about the bonds of love, culture and memory.