the adventures ofChelli & Malli
Picture books about Chelli, a three-and-a-half-year-old elephant, and the big feelings that come with a brand-new world. Her baby sister Malli joins the story in book two.
the series
everything is new when you are three and a half
This series follows Chelli, a curious three-and-a-half-year-old who has just moved into a new apartment building. Everything around her is unfamiliar, and every day brings a new discovery. Soon, she welcomes her baby sister, Malli.
Each story gently explores how she navigates the small but powerful changes in her world: relationships, friendships, fears, surprises, and emotions.
the inspiration
how these stories began
the inspiration
how these stories began
I am a proud dad of two wonderful daughters, Vedika and Ameya.
This series is inspired by the past six years of raising them alongside Sumedha. There have been countless joyful moments, but also many difficult ones. In those helpless times, when nothing seemed to calm Vedika down, storytelling came to my rescue. That’s when Vedika and I began weaving a special imaginary world of Vedu and Dobo Aanai, a place we could escape to whenever emotions ran high.
At first, I wanted to bring that world into this one through a book. But after a year of struggling, I realized I was overcomplicating it. So this is my second attempt: simpler, truer to the heart of those stories, and easier for children everywhere to connect with.
— Saurabh “Dobo” Dobhal
who you'll meet
Chelli
Dobo
Amma
the books
book one
New Places New Faces
The boxes are barely unpacked and Chelli is excited — and also a bit sad, and a tiny bit scared. She doesn't want to go to the playground. She doesn't know why.
8×8 in · full colour · matte paperback · ages 2–6
coming soon...
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peek inside book one
about the author
meet Saurabh “Dobo” Dobhal
A dad of two, a storyteller at bedtime, and now an author. Saurabh writes about the small, everyday moments of growing up, the ones every family knows.
Chelli & Malli is published by Maangoz Books, Saurabh's own small imprint, so every book is made with the same care as the bedtime stories it came from.
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