Please help me find children's book and media with South Asian characters.

[RealityQuake]

We've been going through our library and it was noticed that, particularly for our area, there are few children books that represent children from the Indian subcontinent or the rest of South Asia in general stories (rather than specific concept stories like the books on holidays, traditions, and about [country] books). I've gotten a few recommendations but it's seeming thin on the ground and I'm stuck and here hoping others will have more knowledge and recommendations for this than I've been able to find (also recommendation for other media like movies or TV shows would be very welcome). Really appreciate any advice on this!

A Beautiful Lie by Irfan Master - which is set at the time of the creation of Pakistan.

There are some god childrens books by Jamila Gavin - Grandpa Chaterji is the most famous.

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah

For 15+ there is Guantanmo Boy by Anna Perera but its a tough book (Pakistan) and Never Fall Down by Sally Nichols (Killing fields in Cambdia)

For older children there is Anita and Me by Meera Syal and Q&A by Vikas Swarup and City of Joy by Dominique Lapierre. (India)

There are also some great picture books but not sure what age group you're looking at.

Some of these books a re reviewed by me on my website:
www.booksteensandmagazines.com/browse/experience-a-different-culture

Thank you for this. Picture would be good as well, want representation at all levels, will have a look through your recommendation and site.

Are you looking for stories set in South Asia or representations of children of South Asian ancestry living in UK/USA? Or both?

Mostly representation. The current representation is poor, not only in the lack but most of what there is is pretty bland and seems more aimed at adults wanting a tool for teaching kids rather than good stories that kids can see themselves and their peers, and for them to feel that being in the story is normal rather than just for the special occasion books, if that makes sense.

limas red hot chilli

the swirling hijab naima b roberts

There's a Hamster in my Pocket and its sequel Sita, Snake-Queen of Speed?

And two that are set in India so not exactly what you're looking for:
Aani and the Tree-Huggers
Elephant Dance

Bee bim bop - lovely rhyming picture book about shopping, cooking and eating. Pictures show Korean family in a multicultural environment. Recipe is yummy too!

The Pink Bicycle
The Night the Lights Went Out
Nina and the Travelling Spice Shed

dont some of the biff and chip books have asian characters in them?

The Runaway Summer by Nina Bawden has a boy of Indian heritage in it (although he is an immigrant from East Africa rather than directly from the subcontinent).

don't know if any of these might be any use, just ones I have found on an internet search but might be worth a look

www.pilgrimsbooks.com/children_s_books.html - a book about a child in Nepal -we have quite a lot of Nepalese families where we live

you have probably found this link yourself but there are a couple in the list that might be good
www.pragmaticmom.com/2011/07/top-10-best-east-asian-american-childrens-books-ages-2-14/

technically the Jungle Book is South Asia isn't it?