Walker signs Bilan's 'brilliant' non-fiction debut

Walker Books has acquired India, Incredible India, an "inspiring" non-fiction debut written by award-winning author Jasbinder Bilan, with illustration by Nina Chakrabarti. 

Publisher Denise Johnstone-Burt and commissioning editor Becky Watson acquired world rights for the text from Ben Illis at the BIA and for the illustrations from Chakrabarti directly. Publishing in October 2022, the book is a "bright and beautiful" celebration of India and its people, culture, places and wildlife.

"Journey across the diverse regions of India and witness the country’s people and culture through a series of objects chosen by a little girl and her Nanijee," the synopsis reads. "Watch elephants bathing from a houseboat in Kerala, marvel at ancient cave paintings in Bhimbetka, wander through Delhi’s bustling streets, and ride a train through the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. Uncover India’s fascinating history, and explore the unique mix of the traditional and modern that makes India the incredible country it is today."

Johnstone-Burt said: "India, a country of infinite variety, of fabulous history, culture, wildlife and landscape, is brought vividly to life in Jas and Nina’s brilliant new book. From temples and markets to high-tech and space rockets, children will love discovering all about India, Incredible India."

Bilan’s debut novel, Asha & the Spirit Bird (Chicken House), won the Costa Children’s Book Award and the Times/Chicken House Fiction Prize. She works as a teacher and this is her first work of non-fiction for children.

"It was such a dream to write India, Incredible India," she said. "As I was growing up, my father always promised us that one day we’d hire a jeep and drive across land to India and then we’d explore the whole of the incredible country. Writing this book has felt like taking that physical journey. It’s the sort of book I would have loved as a little girl and I hope all children who pick it up will love it too."

Chakrabarti studied illustration at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, London. She uses line drawing to explore her love of the decorative arts, which was inspired by growing up in Kolkata, India, and the exuberance of London, where she lived for many years. She is the author of My Wonderful World of Fashion (Laurence King Publishing), which has been translated into 10 languages.

"Commissioned at the very start of the pandemic, this project meant I could go on the most wonderful adventure without having to leave home," she said. "Even though I grew up in India, illustrating India, Incredible India made me realise how little I knew about this diverse and fascinating country. The spice market in Bhubaneswar and sculpture gardens in Chandigarh were amongst my favourite places to draw. What an inspiring project —I loved working on it."