{"title":"Picture Books","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"sunday-scaries","title":"Sunday Scaries","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Debra Kempf Shumaker  \u003cstrong\u003eIllustrator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavanya Naidu  \u003cstrong\u003ePublishing Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAbout\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo you dread Mondays? Does the thought fill you with anxiety? Then this humorous picture book on tackling anxiety about the week ahead might be just what you need to get rid of the Sunday scaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJosie loves the weekend. She gets to do all her favorite things with mom and dad like movie night and eating the fluffiest pancakes ever. But then it starts. At first, it's just a tickle in her throat. A wisp of a shadow behind her back . . . MONDAY is coming. Josie has a case of the Sunday scaries, maybe her parents too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA playful exploration of the anxiety that bubbles up on Sundays when thinking about Monday and the week ahead, with practical methods on banishing those Sunday scaries for good!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ \u003cstrong\u003eCOMING AUGUST 2026!\u003c\/strong\u003e ★\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em;\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"shop-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/770144\/sunday-scaries-by-debra-kempf-shumaker-illustrated-by-lavanya-naidu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ePRE-ORDER\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Knopf Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49924086530241,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0851\/8785\/4529\/files\/SundayScaries_cover_option03_layered.jpg?v=1773967581"},{"product_id":"bread-is-love","title":"Bread Is Love","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pooja Makhijani  \u003cstrong\u003eIllustrator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavanya Naidu  \u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAbout\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoin a mother and her adorable children for their weekly baking ritual in Pooja Makhijani's touching story, with warm, tender art by Lavanya Naidu. \u003cem\u003eBread Is Love\u003c\/em\u003e celebrates the act of baking and eating bread, and sharing it with family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBread is many things.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBread is simple. The dough can be made with just flour, salt, starter, and water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBread is science. With the right ingredients, in the right amounts, the dough grows and changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBread can be unpredictable. Sometimes it rises, like a soft pillow. Sometimes it's flat and crunchy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut bread is always delicious, especially when it is made with love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA satisfying picture book portrait of a family ritual that feeds bellies, minds, and spirits \u003cem\u003e— Publishers Weekly, \u003cstrong\u003e★ Starred review ★\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA warmhearted story about togetherness and baking as a labor of love \u003cem\u003e— Kirkus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis story is all about sensory exploration and comfort, serving as a gentle, cheerful reminder that perfection isn't always necessary \u003cem\u003e— BCCB\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith plenty of read-aloud appeal, this warm and inviting picture book is made for savoring and sharing \u003cem\u003e— Booklist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em;\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"shop-button\" href=\"https:\/\/us.macmillan.com\/books\/9781250906885\/breadislove\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBUY NOW\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Roaring Brook Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49924131356865,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0851\/8785\/4529\/files\/BreadIsLove_JKT_opt3_submission_v02_lowressocialmedia.jpg?v=1769063941"},{"product_id":"home-is-in-between","title":"Home Is In Between","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mitali Perkins  \u003cstrong\u003eIllustrator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavanya Naidu  \u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 2021\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAbout\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the timely yet timeless picture book \u003cem\u003eHome Is in Between\u003c\/em\u003e, critically acclaimed author Mitali Perkins and illustrator Lavanya Naidu describe the experience of navigating multiple cultures and embracing the complex but beautiful home in between.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShanti misses the warm monsoon rains in India. Now in America, she watches fall leaves fly past her feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStill, her family's apartment feels like a village: Mama cooking luchi, funny stories in Bangla, and Baba's big laugh. But outside, everything is different – trick-or-treating, ballet class, and English books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBack and forth, Shanti trudges between her two worlds. She remembers her village and learns her new town. She watches Bollywood movies at home and Hollywood movies with her friends. She is Indian. She is also American. How should she define home?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e★ A Junior Library Guild Selection\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e★ A 2022 Notable Book in the Language Arts\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e★ Northern California Book Award Nominee\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePerkins explores a child's experience of immigration in a sweet and child-friendly story presented in a beautifully illustrated package . . . This book can serve as either a validating mirror or an illuminating window. A warm read-aloud, it is a must-purchase for all picture book collections — School Library Journal, \u003cstrong\u003e★ Starred review ★\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnimation-style characters by Naidu reflect emotion clearly, while straightforward writing by Perkins shows how Shanti learns to appreciate aspects of her new life while keeping people and elements from her old one close to her heart — Publishers Weekly,  \u003cstrong\u003e★ Starred review ★\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReflecting the experiences of Perkins and many other immigrant children, this heartfelt picture book records the push\/pull of remembering the old ways while learning the new ones . . . By shining a light on one girl's story, this vibrant picture book illuminates the experience of many immigrant children.— Booklist, \u003cstrong\u003e★ Starred review ★\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNational Book Award finalist Perkins' picture book depicts a tale of immigration and adaptation . . . Kolkata-born, Australia-based Naidu's illustrations are light and full of motion, reinforcing both the book's tone and its content. Shanti's expressions, including wonder, frustration, and exhaustion, are particularly emotive. The book will appeal particularly to children and families navigating this space between cultures. — Kirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em;\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"shop-button\" href=\"https:\/\/us.macmillan.com\/books\/9780374303679\/homeisinbetween\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBUY NOW\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49924149543105,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0851\/8785\/4529\/files\/HomeisInbetween_9780374303679_CVR_2P.jpg?v=1769064800"},{"product_id":"our-house","title":"Our House","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trudie Trewin  \u003cstrong\u003eIllustrator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavanya Naidu  \u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 2024\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eAbout\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe share a hug, with shiny eyes. 'I love you, house,' I cry. We all hold hands and walk through the door . . . One home can tell many stories in this heartwarming, reversible tale about family, togetherness and moving on to new beginnings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com.au\/Our-House-Trudie-Trewin\/dp\/1761293036\" class=\"shop-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBUY NOW\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Scholastic Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49924159897793,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0851\/8785\/4529\/files\/OurHouse_CV_V10_HIGHRES.jpg?v=1769065349"},{"product_id":"doug-the-pug-and-the-kindness-crew","title":"Doug the Pug and the Kindness Crew","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leslie Mosier, Rob Chianelli \u0026amp; Karen Yin  \u003cstrong\u003eIllustrator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavanya Naidu  \u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 2022\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eAbout\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDoug the Pug loves pizza, posing for paw-traits, and above all else, spreading paw-sitivity. Join the Kindness Crew and follow Doug as he embarks on an adventure across town to share kindness with everyone he meets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith messages of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion, this beautifully illustrated picture book is perfect for Doug the Pug's youngest fans and anyone looking to make the world a kinder place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kids.scholastic.com\/kid\/books\/doug-the-pug\/\" class=\"shop-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBUY NOW\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Scholastic Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49934432239809,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0851\/8785\/4529\/files\/dtpatkc_cover_opt03_lavanyanaidu_v11.jpg?v=1769507143"},{"product_id":"the-katha-chest","title":"The Katha Chest","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Radhiah Chowdhury  \u003cstrong\u003eIllustrator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavanya Naidu  \u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 2021\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAbout\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA warm, child-centred exploration of family, history and connectedness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix-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 Asiya's family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith gorgeous, fresh and beautifully colourful illustrations inspired by Bangladeshi katha quilts and traditional West Bengali pattachitra panel illustrations, \u003cem\u003eThe Katha Chest\u003c\/em\u003e is a beautifully woven tale about the bonds of love, culture and memory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e★ Notable Book, CBCA Picture Book of the Year, 2022\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e★ Highly Commended, South Asia Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e★ Selected for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show 2022\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em;\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"shop-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allenandunwin.com\/browse\/book\/Radhiah-Chowdhury,-illustrated-by-Lavanya-Naidu-Katha-Chest-9781760524326\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBUY NOW\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A \u0026 U Children","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49934436991169,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0851\/8785\/4529\/files\/TheKathaChestCover.jpg?v=1769507769"}],"url":"https:\/\/lavanyanaidu.com\/collections\/picture-books.oembed","provider":"Lavanya Naidu","version":"1.0","type":"link"}