Asha and the Toymaker by Sakshi Mangal

Asha's papa makes and sells wooden toys to pay for her to go to school. But Papa struggles to find buyers. And this makes him worry. He worries Asha's life will also be a struggle unless she focuses on her schoolwork, which he never had the chance to do. Can Asha's art help Papa? Will he let her try?

Author and illustrator Sakshi Mangal drew inspiration from her childhood in India for this sweet picture book. It celebrates the life-changing power of art in the real world, and offers children an opportunity to explore the concept of colour and the influence of the visual arts in their everyday lives.

Asha's touching generosity and resourcefulness also show how even a very young child can make a difference and provide a wonderful character education lesson on initiative. Mangal's colourful art depicts the Indian city of Jodhpur, known as the Blue City for its many buildings painted a distinctive shade of blue. (From Kids Can Press)

Mosey will championAsha and the ToymakerbySakshi Mangal on CBC Kids Reads.

The 2024CBC Kids ReadsSpecial will air on March 7 at 8:10 a.m. local time. CBC Kids hosts Tony, Janaye, Gary the Unicorn, Mr. Orlando, Cottonball and Mosey, along with kids from across Canada willpresentthrough dance, song, baking andart why their picture book should be crowned this year's winner!

• CBC Kids Reads is back! 6 Canadian picture books are in the running to be crowned this year's champion
• 45 picture books to check out this fall

Sakshi Mangal is a Vancouver-based author and illustrator who grew up in Mumbai, India. Her other works of illustration include Best Behaviour by Patricia Hegarty and The Bright Spot by Aimee Chase.