The magic of picture books: where stories are seen, not just read
There’s a reason we return to picture books – even as adults. They hold memories. A smell, a phrase, a colour that takes us back to bedtime, to someone reading to us, to a simple kind of magic. Here, Sanya Verma, Commissioning Editor, Children’s and YA Books, Hachette India, shares more.
In the world of publishing, few formats hold as much emotional power as the humble picture book. In a world of endless scrolling, picture books remind children – and us – that some stories are meant to be savoured. Turned page by page, not swiped.
For many of us, our first reading memories were made in the summer, sprawled on a mat, flipping through the same story over and over, or tracing the illustrations with an idle finger.
The pictures do what words sometimes can’t. Children don’t just read a picture book, they explore it. They look at the corners of the page, the background of a scene, the way a character’s eyes shift from one spread to the next. They notice how the monkeys swing, the way a hat tilts, how the cat peeks out, and all the little things scattered on the ground.
The best picture books don’t just tell a story – they become part of a child’s world. That’s why we remember them decades later.
Two new picture books from Hachette India bring back that magic.
The first, The Damroo Man and the Monkey Gang invites readers to the city of Varanasi where mischievous monkeys are creating chaos. Sunglasses, socks, snacks – nothing is safe. They are driving everyone bananas. Until the Damroo Man arrives with a clever and unexpectedly tasty idea. Bright, energetic illustrations add charm to this feel-good, funny tale that hums with local flavour and will leave the readers smiling.
The second, The Pushpa and the Pushpak Vimana is a whismsical journey of a little girl named Pushpa who is whisked away on a sparkling adventure to the city of Ayodhya. Lord Rama is coming back from his exile but darkness hides the beautiful city. Pushpa’s simple and brilliant idea saves the day. The artwork captures the festive warmth and showcases the sparkle of a city waiting in joy.
What ties both books together is their sense of place and feeling – small cities, big adventures and the art that is as heartfelt as the stories.
When we first saw the rough sketches for The Damroo Man and the Monkey Gang, everyone in the room lit up. No words yet, but the story was already there. That’s the magic – and the challenge – of great picture books.
The illustrator, Ishan Trivedi, brings both stories alive with his vibrant colours and style rooted in tradition but full of playful energy.
For many children, their first picture book is also their first shared reading experience – with a parent, sibling or teacher. Reading a picture book to a child builds their attention. It’s an eye-to-eye conversation. Stories in picture books open up whole new worlds. A lion can learn to dance. A child can fly in a cardboard box.
Monkeys can talk, trees can walk, you can become whatever you want. Each new adventure fuels their imagination. A love that starts with pictures and play, grows into a lifelong habit of reading books. At Hachette, we want that curiosity to grow. That bond to last. So read one out loud this week. You never know which book will become someone’s forever favourite.
Where imagination meets illustration!
Ishan Trivedi, illustrator of The Pushpa and the Pushpak Vimana along with The Damroo Man,shares more about the illustrations.
AABP: How do you create memorable characters like the Damroo Man?
Ishan: The Damroo Man, like many of my characters, emerged from a blend of reallife inspirations and imaginative storytelling.
I often draw from folk culture, street performers, everyday people and childhood memories. At the heart of it, I want the viewer to feel like they’ve met this person somewhere before, or they’d love to meet them again in a story.
AABP: Why do you think it’s important for you to tell your stories to children?
Ishan: Children are natural storytellers and deep feelers. For me, telling stories to children is a way to nurture imagination, empathy and curiosity – three things I believe the world always needs more of.
Also, children don’t fake their reactions – they laugh honestly, ask boldly and remember what truly moves them. That’s a beautiful responsibility and privilege as a storyteller.
AABP: What do you love most about drawing Indian cities?
Ishan: Indian cities are layered with stories. I love capturing the narrow lanes, flickering diyas, peeling paint on temple walls. These cities have a soul. I try to draw not just what they look like, but what they feel like. For me, it’s also a way of telling children and viewers, ‘Look, this is ours. Even the ordinary has a bit of magic’.
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