Parakeet Books

09/02/2024

Buy a signed book and pay for crucial surgery for children in Gaza.
Please share ❤️
https://www.32auctions.com/booksforgaza

23/01/2024

We're never going to post regularly or consistently or stay on message. We try but we just can't do it. Social media is exhausting.

Essentially we're a micro publisher making kids books (in our spare time) that we think are excellent.

Have a look at our shop but even that's not up to date so check out Parakeetbooks.com

Thanks ❤️

04/12/2023

Go Art! ❤️

Posted • Exciting Visit from Literary Author Ms Arti Jain at Oryx International School

In a day filled with inspiration and creativity, Year 6 students at Oryx International School had the privilege of a special visit from the talented author .a.jain Ms Jain is most renown for her book "Don't Climb On The Bullock Cart," dedicated the day to sharing her passion for writing and storytelling with our students.

During the visit, Ms Jain dedicated her time to reading her books to our enthusiastic young readers. Students had the unique opportunity to pose direct questions to the author, delving into the fascinating world of literary creation. Queries about the inspiration behind "Don't Climb On The Bullock Cart" were addressed firsthand, revealing details about whether the story was based on personal experiences or the author's imagination.

Ms Jain not only shared her personal experiences and motivations but also imparted valuable advice on how to write creatively and originally. Inspired by the author's words, students began to explore their own creative veins during the session, demonstrating renewed interest in writing.

At Oryx International School, we encourage exploration and creativity, and Ms Arti Jain's visit has been an enriching experience that has inspired our students to embark on their own literary journeys. We thank Arti for sharing her time and wisdom with us and look forward to future opportunities to nurture the love for reading and writing in our school community. Today, the literary spirit has shone brightly at Oryx International School! 📚✨
has context menu

16/11/2023

Treat your little ones to a book from a micro publisher.
You'll find fresh talent, new ideas and joy within!

These are our recommendations ❤️❤️

05/09/2023

We just booked our tickets to a dance performance at the Shoestring Theatre.

, who we LOVE, and Croydon council are putting on a wonderful dance festival through September.

Many tickets are free so have a look!

30/08/2023

This says it all

27/08/2023

Something wonderful happened. I got to meet up with Victoria Blain, the author of Crooked Witch Soup ().

It was brilliant for so many reasons, Victoria lives in upstate New York and was only in London for 1 day; our children met and played beautifully together; we got on straight away, Victoria is hilarious. And Victoria has created the greatest kids book.

Crooked Witch Soup is about a strange, generous, forgetful witch who can't find her spell book. Her cheeky animal friends lead her all over the place looking for it while they steal her soup. The beauty in this book is in the rhythm of the lines and the other-worldly sketches mixed with splashes of vivid collage. I love this book so much. You can get your copy at Parakeetbooks.com ❤️

08/08/2023

Thrilled that our books will be alongside these absolute gems at Balham Makers Market
11-5pm, 12 August
Balham Library Hall
16 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QY

Posted • Super excited to join forces with to bring the BEST inclusive independently published children’s books to in THIS SATURDAY!

I know you guys love to and so if you’re in the area come along to .library hall as there are lots of brilliant makers there too.

We will have a collection of children’s books from 0-12 years old, so your bound to find something.

04/08/2023

There are so many things I should be posting about: I met our gorgeous author Victoria Blain, we LAUNCHED Paper Boats on a BOAT, we have a new stockist.

But I have to tell you this first. I'm eating apricot cake from fruit I picked off my friend's tree with blackberries I picked from the local park. It's free food! I'm feeling very pleased with myself!

I did fall in a bramble bush though. While wearing shorts.

27/07/2023

TODAY!

27 July, 4-6pm

At .on.the.water
Word on the Water book barge, just off granary square in King's Cross.

Devjani Bodepudi will read her gorgeous new book, Paper Boats. And there will be live music, paper crafts and an abundance of books!

We are also launching the excellent middle grade book, Last Girl In from and the heartwarming My Brother is the Prettiest Queen in the World from

Join us! It will not rain, I promise! ❤️

25/07/2023

We have have collaborated with some other small but perfectly formed publishers and to bring out a bundle of fab, beautiful and totally stonking kids books.

Please join us on thursday at the gorgeous book barge, Word on the Water.on.the.water

There will be live music, live authors, paper crafts, wine and a bunch of kids!

27 July 4-6pm
Word on the Water, Regent's Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW
It's just off Granary Square in King's Cross

25/07/2023

The day is finally here! We are launching Paper Boats, Last Girl In AND My Brother is the Prettiest Queen in the World!

Please join us:
27 July, 4-6pm
Word on the Water, Regent's Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW
It's just off Granary Square in King's Cross

We'll have readings from authors Devjani Bodepudi and Cheryl Diane Parkinson, there will paper boat making and other paper crafts, LIVE MUSIC! and book signings of course! It's going to be a lovely afternoon!

FREE Children's book launch!

27 July 4-6pm at Word on the Water

Three children's publishers have collaborated to bring out three gorgeous books all together.

There will be readings from the books, paper crafts, book signings and live music!

There are two picture books:
Paper Boats by Devjani Bodepudi and Anushka Bansal
My Brother is the Prettiest Queen in the World by Ashley Baptiste and Kandice Johnson

And a middle grade fiction:
Last Girl In by Cheryl Diane Parkinson

23/07/2023

Calling all the people of and !

We're thrilled to be part of a mini book festival hosted by ! It's happening TODAY 23 July. There will be readings from Paper Boats by our very own beloved and more from other wonderful authors AND workshops by Rumana from Bok Bok. Rumana's creative workshops are epic.

So please pop down to Bensham Grove Community Centre, Gateshead, NE8 2XD
Time: 11am to 3pm
It's a FREE EVENT – Just drop in!

The book festival is part of a larger Masala Festival run by over the summer. There's amazing music, food and more. Please check it out!

22/07/2023

We went to the Offbeat Sari exhibition at the Design Museum! Before we went I watched a tutorial at the sariseries.com (I attempted the Palamu Mahuadanr drape).

Sheju and I brought the Aunties along (Sheju's mum and her best friend). We learned about radical sari-wearing activists, bumped into extraordinary sari maker and took in a bit of .

It was a very good day!

18/07/2023

Arti Jain with her trademark big bindi, in a sari, next to a beautiful church and a classic English bus stop. And wearing a Parakeet Books tote!
a.jain wrote Don't Climb on the Bullock Cart. It's illustrated by and published by us, Parakeet Books!

You can buy it at Parakeetbooks.com ❤️

13/07/2023

Deep joy at this unboxing post from our new author, Devjani Bodepudi! ❤️

21/06/2023

Our publishing besties have brought out an absolute cracker.

My Brother is the Prettiest Queen in the World. Written by Ashley Baptiste
Illustrated by Kandice Johnson.

It's a beautiful gentle story about a kid looking up to his older brother who is tall, kind and glamorous.

My 8 year old read it and said it's really good because it shows boys they're allowed to like pink and glitter.

I loved it for the softness of the story. It's like a hug. And the swirly beautiful illustration give it a dreamy quality.

We loved it! Head over to to order a copy!

18/06/2023

My dad didn't really bother with father's day. But here's a picture of his super box of spanners. Thanks for all the laughs dad ❤️

18/06/2023

It's that time of year again! Sheju's parents are here and they've brought so much amazing food in their suitcases.

There's a root vegetable the size of your head, drum sticks, banana root, kovaka - which is ivy gourd, huge mangoes, tiny bananas, dragon fruit, so many nuts, coconut, crunchy chips and crisps and sweets, bags of spices and gloopy concoctions. Amongst all that, a tiny portion of clothing.

It reminds me of when my grandad came for Christmas with a goose in his suitcase and a carrier bag of clothes.

So tell me what wonders your suitcases contain when you or your loved ones come from back from your or their home land?

We've already had dosas for breakfast with coconut chutney. So tasty I nearly cried. I'll show you that tomorrow xx

14/06/2023

Design your Crystal Palace competition! There's still time to enter and our Sheju Adiyatiparambil-John is one of the judges ☺️

GET YOUR CRYSTAL PALACE DESIGN COMPETITION ENTRIES IN FOR SATURDAY!

Submissions into the design competition to create YOUR Crystal Place can be dropped off at Penge Library by lunchtime Saturday 17 June, ready for the exhibition!

Submissions by 6-12 year olds can be drawn, painted, graphic designed or can be 3D/Lego.

What would your building look like?

A nod to the past?

A fusion of past and future?

A whole new design?

YOU decide!

We’re excited to be chosen to feature in the London Festival of Architecture brochure alongside other brilliant local opportunities and full competition details are here; https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/event/design-your-crystal-palace/

Competition categories: ages 6-8 and 9-12.

Winners in each category will receive £40 book vouchers. Runner up prizes: £15 and £10 vouchers, supported by Penge SE20.

Entries will be displayed from Monday 19 June with winners chosen by judges including local publishers Parakeet Books and announced on Saturday 24 June.

Please spread the word!

Thanks

Graham

06/06/2023

Don't forget to enter this fab competition. Sheju is one of the judges!

Posted • DESIGN YOUR CRYSTAL PALACE COMPETITION

FREE WORKSHOP on SATURDAY 10 JUNE from 1pm - 2pm at PENGE LIBRARY

Join me this Saturday and discover why the Palace was the ’Eighth Wonder of the World’ and explore ideas for the YOUR Crystal Palace design competition.

To book email [email protected]

This is part of the London Festival of Architecture and we’re calling young architects and designers of the future to unleash their imaginations and create YOUR Crystal Palace.

What would your building look like?

A nod to the past?

A fusion of past and future?

A whole new design?

YOU decide!

Full details are here; https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/event/design-your-crystal-palace/

Competition categories: ages 6-8 and 9-12.

Winners in each category will receive £40 book vouchers. Runner up prizes: £15 and £10 vouchers.

Submissions can be drawn, painted, graphic designed or can be 3D.

Bring submissions to Penge Library by Friday 16 June

Entries will be displayed from Monday 19 June with winners announced on Saturday 24 June. Judges include our friends over at Parakeet Books.

Please spread the word!

Thanks

Graham

04/06/2023

Book signing in Crystal Palace Park at 1.30 pm TODAY, 4 June.

Our books are at Life cafe today! And we will be there too!

Check out our bookseller's () stall. There are loads of amazing multicultural books and toys.

And the rest of the stalls look awesome too, I saw clothes, jewellery and plants, all gorgeous bright colours.

30/05/2023

Dosa time!

Highly recommend .uk in Croydon.
Crispy cassava that was so good me and Sheju nearly cried.

We've got a gorgeous book about dosas too. It's called Pattu's Dosa, it's perfect for kids up to 5 years old.

28/05/2023

Well that was idyllic.
Thanks so much to & .park for having us. And thanks to everyone who came along today! The artwork you made is so good and we all had a gorgeous time.

26/05/2023

What are you doing on Sunday?

Join me for stories and collage making in the secret garden in Crystal Palace Park at 11. And again at 12.

I'll be reading the beautiful and joyful Ready for an Adventure by Abbi-Jean Reid and Bhumika Jangid; and the stomping romping Mysterious Dinosaurs of Crystal Palace by me, Judy Skidmore, and Sheju John and illustrated by Anastasiya Epishina.

I've glue sticks, gorgeous magazine scraps, tissue paper. We're all set for a lovely colourful morning!

Where: the secret garden in Crystal Palace Park. Head to the information centre and you'll see signposts.
When: Sunday 28 May. Sessions at 11 and 12.

24/05/2023

We're looking forward to it Graham!

Penge Library is teaming up with Graham Whitlock, author of The Crystal Palace Chronicles and publishers Parakeet Books to invite 6-12 year olds to enter a competition to ‘Design YOUR Crystal Palace’.

18/05/2023

We hit our target! There are 2 hours left if you want to nip in quick ❤️

13/05/2023

Competition!

Design YOUR Crystal Palace!

Parakeet Books have teamed up with Graham Whitlock, author of The Crystal Palace Chronicles and Penge Library to invite 6-12 year olds to enter a competition to ‘Design YOUR Crystal Palace’.

You decide what you want to show in your palace to attract millions of visitors and what your building might look like. A nod to the past? A fusion of past and future? A whole new design?

There are two competition categories, ages 6-8 and 9-12. The winners in each category will receive £40 book vouchers with runners up receiving £15 and £10 vouchers. Submissions can be drawn, painted, graphic designed or can be 3D.

Our very own Sheju Adiyatiparambil-John, who loves Crystal Palace Park and visits nearly every day, will be one of the judges.

Sheju says, "I can't wait to see what the kids come up with. Children have the funniest, most creative, and best ideas."

To enter: Just bring your design to Penge Library by 16 June 2023

09/05/2023

We asked Ebony Lyon from to review Crooked Witch Soup (available on kickstarter.com)...

She said,
"Crooked Witch Soup is a wonderfully unique and fascinating tale, rich with culture and interwoven with mystifying intrigue. The kindhearted witch and her mischievous animal friends are sure to keep children captivated time and time again. Victoria’s stunning collage textile artwork animates the story perfectly.”
Ebony Lyon, Founder, Formy Books

Thanks Ebony!

We're really proud of this truly original and mysterious story from Victoria Blain ()

Check out our kickstarter link in our stories or bio. Or search for Parakeet Books on kickstarter.com

Oh yeah and we're 76% funded, Woohoo! ❤️