Santhini Govindan

Children's author · educator · speaker

Santhini Govindan

Award-winning author of more than 50 books for children — picture books, short stories, historical fiction, and poetry — published across India and translated into a dozen languages. Her books are used as readers at schools across India and many of her original poems are taught in schools across India, South East Asia, and the Middle East.

50+

books

300+

stories & features

12+

languages

30+

years

Published works

Selected books

A small selection from more than 50 titles published since 1992.

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Chotu Finds a Home

Chotu Finds a Home

HalfBakedBeans

2022

The Pond that Shyam Lal Dug

The Pond that Shyam Lal Dug

Ukiyoto Publishing

2023

The Playful Wind

The Playful Wind

Children's Book Trust, New Delhi

2016

नटखट पवन

नटखट पवन

Children's Book Trust, New Delhi

2018

Hiding

Hiding

Children's Book Trust, New Delhi

2018

A Gift From Miu

A Gift From Miu

Children's Book Trust, New Delhi

2015

The Anger of Apsu

The Anger of Apsu

Children's Book Trust, New Delhi

2012

Counting Clouds

Counting Clouds

Children's Book Trust, New Delhi

2005

About

Santhini Govindan

Santhini Govindan is a widely published, award-winning author of children's literature in English. She has written more than 50 books for children, including poetry, picture books, chapter books, and short stories for readers of all ages.

Her publishers include National Book Trust (India), Children's Book Trust, HarperCollins India, Scholastic India, India Book House, Pustak Mahal, Vikas Publishing House, and Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

Her books have been translated into many Indian languages, and more than 300 stories and features have appeared in children's magazines and national dailies in India and overseas.

She received a Junior Fellowship in Literature from the Government of India in 1996 to write historical fiction for children, followed by a Senior Fellowship in Literature in 1998 for research on children's literature in English in India.

In July 2001, she became the first Indian writer invited to the annual Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop in Chautauqua, New York.

Her books are used as readers at schools across India. She has also conducted creative writing workshops in schools across Mumbai and taught creative writing at the undergraduate level at Mumbai University.

Family

At one year old with my parents — father M. Madhavan Kutty, diplomat, and mother Santha Kutty.
At one year old with my parents — father M. Madhavan Kutty, diplomat, and mother Santha Kutty.
As a teenager with my father and younger sister, Madhu.
As a teenager with my father and younger sister, Madhu.
As a young mother with my first child, Vikram.
As a young mother with my first child, Vikram.
On holiday with my two school-going children.
On holiday with my two school-going children.
With husband Govindan at the birth of our first grandchild, Apsara.
With husband Govindan at the birth of our first grandchild, Apsara.
My children, all grown up.
My children, all grown up.
With my second granddaughter, Anika.
With my second granddaughter, Anika.

News

Recent events & publications

May 2025

Children's Book Trust feature for The Anger of Apsu

The English and Hindi versions of The Anger of Apsu were featured on the Children’s Book Trust Instagram page on May 15–16, 2025.

October 2024

Mumbai launch of Hug Yourself

Title Waves, Bandra, Mumbai

Launch event for Hug Yourself: Body Positivity and Empowerment Stories for Teenagers, with discussion, audience participation, and author readings.

July 2024

Our Chikoo Tree on SeasonWatch

A personal piece for SeasonWatch about a gracious fruit tree that has been part of the family home for decades.

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For schools & institutions

Workshops & author visits

Creative writing workshops, author visits, curriculum development, and educator training — available for schools, literary festivals, and academic institutions.

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