We, The Children of India by Leila Seth

Leila Seth, India’s first woman chief justice of a state court, in this book explains the Preamble to our Constitution in a manner that is easy for children to understand. Her narrative style with a fine lyrical touch and a fairy-tale tone can engage young minds to become familiar with important ideas at a tender age. She emphasises on concepts like why the freedom movement began, the freedom struggle, the national anthem, the need for a constitution post-Independence and the words that make the Preamble to the Indian Constitution. The text — accompanied by old photographs and Bindia Thapar’s illustrations — helps to keep young minds undistracted.

Saffron, White and Green by Subhadra Sen Gupta

For young bibliophiles who are into text-based books, this informative title gives a factual account of our country and its people’s journey to achieve Independence through various movements. Starting from 1850 and continuing till 1950, the book covers a period of 100 years, giving readers a detailed account of mutiny wars, the formation of the Indian National Congress, the various peaceful movements, the Tricolour giving India its new identity and the making of the Constitution.

Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Boy Who Asked Why by Sowmya Rajendran

This book could help you to introduce your child to concepts regarding the prevalent social menaces in our country and those of the pre- and post-Independence years through a fun-to-read biography of Ambedkar, whose role has been instrumental in the socio-political history of our country. Illustrated and narrated lucidly, the book talks about the life of the man who drafted our Constitution and also raises awareness on issues where his name remains indelible, like untouchability, caste discrimination and prejudices.

Neela: Victory Song by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

This young adult fiction tells the tale of 12-year-old Neela, who ends up being a part of the freedom movement through various circumstances in her life. Set in the backdrop of the pre-Independence years, Neela’s story reflects upon women of the modern Indian society through the choices she makes or the actions she takes overcoming the socially-constructed restrictions on her. Wrapped in fiction, the book introduces young readers to India’s struggle for freedom through the story of this young girl’s search for her father, who leaves home to participate in a peaceful protest.

India at 70: Snapshots Since Independence by Roshen Dalal

Roshen Dalal’s book gives an informative and brief account of the 70 years that passed by since our country’s Independence from the tyranny of British rulers. Chronicling major events starting from the glorious midnight hour of 1947 till the post-Independence years, Dalal’s book is visually attractive with illustrations and a great companion for your child to increase their knowledge about the country they call their own.

A Beautiful Lie by Irfan Master

Set during the pre-Partition years, this story of a boy called Bilal gives a peek into the emotional turmoil people were going through due to the news of the Partition. While the book captures the history of those turbulent years of an undivided India, a story of strong friendship, a beautiful father-son relationship, a son’s untiring efforts to prevent his ill father from facing heartbreaking news and undeterred optimism blooms on the surface, making it an interesting read for any young reader.

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

This heartbreaking young adult fiction written in an epistolary format is a 12-year-old girl’s letters to her deceased mother recounting the confusion in her tender mind seeing the devastation all around caused due to the Partition. Set in 1947, around the pre- and post-Independence period, the book mirrors the horrific reality of religious division, the loss of people’s homelands, the sense of identity crisis and the state of becoming refugees. Using the young girl’s perspective as the narrative voice, the author makes the account of the terrifying period in our country’s history relatable to a young audience.

The Narayanpur Incident by Shashi Deshpande

Based on the incidents revolving around the Quit India movement of 1942, Shashi Deshpandey’s story is an inspiring tale of how little children of a small village named Narayanpur stand up against police brutality and, in turn, contribute to the ongoing protests all over the country. While the nation’s leaders, as well as many family members of the kids, are under arrest and some carry on with protests from their hideouts, the small village of Narayanpur is not frazzled by the country’s incidents until this group of children and their mother boldly fight against the atrocities they have to face, setting an example of immense courage for young readers.

I am Gandhi by Brad Meltzer

Mahatma Gandhi is presented as a hero in this book that gives an account of his life’s philosophies and the important actions he took during India's freedom struggle. As an introductory book for tiny tots to become familiar with the Father of the Nation and his life’s teachings, the graphic book serves the purpose with its easy language, attractive presentation and illustrations by Christopher Eliopoulos.

The Story of India’s Freedom Movement by Nayantara Sahgal

Written by the niece of our country’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, Nayantara Sahgal’s book lucidly introduces adolescent readers to the glorious phase of our country’s history. From how Indians stood up against oppressive British rulers and bravely fought back throughout the period of the freedom struggle to the various movements that successfully ousted these rulers from our land, the book covers it all comprehensively.