My Friend, The Emperor by Shefali Jha and Beloved Spirits by Rekharaj

Edited by Deepa Sreenivas

My Friend, The Emperor: “History does not like me.” Can the mysterious friend Adil meets at the mosque help him with his curious problem?

Illustrated by Chinnan

Beloved Spirits: Mathai is in despair. Who will help him plant his field before the saplings wither and die? The answer comes from unexpected quarters.

Illustrated by K.P. Reji

Published by Mango, DC Books (2008)

ISBN-13: 978-81-264-2037-7

Part of the Different Tales project. Different Tales unearths stories from regional languages: stories that talk about the life-worlds of children in communities that one rarely reads about in children's books. Many of the stories draw on the writers' own childhoods to depict different ways of growing up in an often hostile world, finding new relationships with peers, parents and other adults. They take us on enticing journeys as they speak of delicious cuisines, ingenius little games, unexpected lessons at school and heartwarming friendships.