Urdu & Hindi stories for little readers
Chhoti Kitaabs (say it choti kitaabs) means “little books”: a shelf of little picture books for children and grown-ups alike: anyone who speaks the language but can't read the Urdu or Hindi script.
Every story is written in Roman-script Urdu and Hindi: the words families already say at home, spelled the way we text each other.
We choose words that both Urdu- and Hindi-speaking families use, so one book works for both.
Short lines. Big pictures. Words that repeat, so little ones can join in.
The books are free, and we plan to keep them that way. If you'd like to help us make more (and pay our illustrator), here is the Ko-fi link.
Yes! This is my passion project. There's nothing to pay, and for now, no ads. One day I'd love to do this full time, or at least cut back at my day job. If I get there, I'll reassess. Until then, please enjoy, and reach out with any suggestions!
If you'd like to support me, here is my Ko-fi link. Thank you!
Grown-ups and little ones alike: anyone who wants to read and enjoy stories in their own language, even if they can't read the Urdu or Hindi script.
My daughter can't read yet, but I read these to her to keep the language we speak at home alive in her ears.
Both! The two languages are so close that I believed one book could fit both worlds.
Someone visiting Pakistan and then India might see the signs and think they're two completely different places. But listen to people talk, past the accents, and you'd be surprised how many words are the same. I write with the words both families use at home.
Growing up in the West, many of my generation speak the language every day but never learned, or lost, the ability to read and write it.
Roman letters are how we already text our families. I'm hoping these books help keep the language alive for the generations to come.
Just do your best! My spelling might be a little different from how you'd write a word, but it should be close. After a few reads, it gets smooth.
One tip: doubled letters are longer sounds, like aa in paani and oo in doodh.
Starting in 2027, I hope to keep up a pace of one or two new books every month or two. As they say, reach for the stars and land on the clouds!
If this ever becomes more than a hobby, expect more. Want to help make that happen? You can support me on Ko-fi.
Tap in the bottom-left corner of the bookcase and leave your email. I'll send a short note whenever a new book lands on the shelf. No spam. Unsubscribe whenever.
There are no accounts and no ads, and I never collect personal information from kids.
The only thing I collect is an email address, and only if a grown-up signs up to "Stay updated". I use it just to send news about new books, I never share or sell it, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
To see how many people visit and which books and toys get tapped, I use GoatCounter. It uses no cookies and only keeps totals (like "30 visits today"), so it can't tell who anyone is.
Drawings on the chalkboards stay on your device. They aren't saved or sent anywhere. The fonts load from Google Fonts, as on most websites.
If you email me, I'll only use your address to reply. Ko-fi is a separate site with its own privacy policy.
Have a question that isn't here? You can reach me at WhyNotReadNow [at] gmail.com.
Got an idea for a story?
Spotted a word we spelled oddly?
Want to tell us what your little reader said?
We would love to hear it.
This book is still being written. Check back soon.
Yes. Every book on the shelf is free to read on any phone, tablet or computer.
Children under four, read aloud by a grown-up. Each page has one short line and a big picture.
Both. Spoken Urdu and Hindi share most everyday words, so we write with the words both families use.
Many parents speak the language every day but read it most easily in Roman letters, the way they text family.
Read it like a message from family. Doubled letters are longer sounds: aa in paani, oo in doodh.
As soon as each one is finished. The "Coming soon" books on the shelf are next.