Chiku & Friends

Eight gentle animal fables to read, share and talk about together! Chiku & Friends is a colourful collection of eight original fables for young children. Each story follows a lovable animal hero through a small adventure that carries a big lesson. These are simple lessons that stay with children long after the last page is turned. With bright illustrations on every page, short and easy-to-follow text, and a moral at the end of each tale, this book is made for bedtime, story time and every time in between. MEET THE FRIENDS - Chiku and the Mango Seed (Patience): A little sparrow plants a mango seed while the monkey and the peacock laugh at her. Through a burning-hot summer, she carries water drop by drop until something wonderful grows. - Kaju the Sideways Crab (Being Yourself): Kaju is teased for walking sideways, so he tries to walk like everyone else, with very wobbly results! Then a tiny fish gets stuck between two rocks, and only a sideways walker can save her. - Jugnu the Little Firefly (Every Light Counts): Jugnu thinks his light is too small to matter. But when a baby rabbit is lost on a dark, cloudy night, he discovers what little lights can do when they shine together. - Meenu and the Winter Store (Sharing): Meenu the squirrel gathers a mountain of nuts and refuses to share them with anyone. When a storm washes her store away, the neighbours she turned away show her what true friendship means. - Tipu Tells the Truth (Honesty): Tipu the frog breaks. Grandpa Kachhua's festival lantern hides behind a lily pad. As his secret grows heavier than a stone, Tipu learns that telling the truth takes more courage than the biggest jump. - The Camel and the Swift Horse (Humility): Toofan the horse laughs at Sultan the camel for being slow and bumpy. But lost and thirsty in the middle of the desert, Toofan learns that everyone has a special strength of their own. - Saras Mends the Nests (Kindness): After a fierce storm, Saras the stork helps every bird rebuild its nest and has no time left to build her own. By morning, her friends have a surprise waiting for her. - Megh the Little Cloud (Giving): Megh is afraid that if she rains, she will disappear forever. When the fields below grow dry and the animals grow thirsty, she must find her courage, and she discovers that giving helps us grow. WHAT'S INSIDE - 8 original stories, each told in 12 illustrated pages - Over 100 pages of warm, colourful artwork - A clear moral at the end of every story - "Let's Talk" questions after each fable to spark conversation - A note for grown-ups with ideas for reading together - Short, gentle stories that are perfect for reading aloud in one sitting PERFECT FOR - Bedtime reading for children aged 3 to 7 - Parents and grandparents who want to share good values through stories - Teachers looking for read-aloud books about character and kindness - Early readers building confidence with simple sentences - Gifts for birthdays, festivals and special occasions WHY FABLES? Fables are among the oldest stories in the world, and for good reason. Talking animals and simple adventures help young children understand big ideas such as patience, honesty, sharing and kindness in a way that feels natural and fun. Every story in Chiku & Friends ends with a moral and two discussion questions, so you can turn reading time into talking time. There are no wrong answers. Just let your child lead the way! Inspired by the colourful world of riverbanks, lotus ponds, banyan trees and desert dunes, these stories introduce children to a lively cast of animal friends, from a determined sparrow and a brave little cloud to a wise old turtle and a kind white stork. Read one story at bedtime, or read them all at once. Most of all, enjoy the journey with Chiku and her friends!