Peerbagh

?? Honoring the legacy of our beloved founder, Vatsala Kakroo, we are thrilled to unveil Bento, the first global South-Asian children’s magazine! ?? Packed with stunning illustrations, Bento is a quarterly magazine brimming with history, culture, books, and storytelling—plus fun activities for both kids and their grown-ups! ????? Our debut issue, themed “Where the Wild Things Are,” takes you on a thrilling journey through wildlife and conservation. ?? From elephants in Afghanistan ?? to snow leopards in the Himalayas ??, unicorns of the Indus Valley ??, and exciting animal trivia—there’s so much to explore! Contributing writers and illustrators for the issue include Brij Nath Betab, Varun Grover, Aftab Shaikh, Santhini Govindan, Professor Shah Mahmoud Hanifi, Janan Abir, Tishya Malya, Neeta Desai, Chandrima Chatterjee, and more. Bento has a special section for student reporters from the United States, Canada, India, and Pakistan.???? Ideal for ages 8-12, Bento sparks curiosity and creativity in every issue. You can preorder now at: peerbagh.com/bookstore [south Asian nonprofit children’s storytelling ] #southasian #childrensbooks #writingcommunity #diversifybookstagram

??? GIVEAWAY ALERT! ??? Our newsletter community loved this surprise giveaway so much that we’re bringing it to YOU—our amazing social fam! ???? For Issue 3 of Bento, we interviewed a brilliant South Asian writer, and we want YOU to guess who it is! ??? Artwork by Reechik Banerjee (@ar.biese) How to enter: ? Like this post & follow @peerbagh ?? DM us your guess (full name of the author!) ??? Winners will be chosen randomly ?? Open globally—everyone can join! Drop your guesses in our DMs & stay tuned for the big reveal! ?????? p.p.s. if you're the author, be sneaky and don't submit an entry ?? #BentoGiveaway #GuessTheAuthor #SouthAsianStories #BentoMagazine #ReadTheWorld

"In old stories lies the essence of who we are, where we come from, and the values that shape our journey ahead." Intergenerational storytelling is an age-old practice with immense value. It is more than just sharing tales; it is about passing down memories, lived experiences, and family narratives that shape the identity and values of the next generation. The full story is on our Journal page at peerbagh.com/journal #storytelling #intergenerationalstories #southasian

Stories have the power to transport us to new and old worlds. Bento tries to capture this feeling in its pages for you and your kids.???? [With spring here, it’s hard not to think of chiffon saris in Alps ?? #iykyk ] Find Bento here: peerbagh.com/bookstore #childrensillustration #childrensbooks

?? Mark your calendars! Bento StoryLab is back on March 22nd with a splash of color! ?? Join us for an unforgettable session with author Salma Hussain and the hilarious antics of Mona Hasan. ? Plus, get ready to unleash your creativity by crafting your own superheroes—with a Holi twist! ??♂???♀??? ?? Free for our student reporters and Bento members. Non-members are welcome too! ?? Tap the link for all the details: bit.ly/bentostorylab #BentoStoryLab #HoliFun #SouthAsianStories #CreativeWriting #BentoMagazine

This Friday and on Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the incredible women who light our path — the students, librarians, parents, and volunteers who inspire us to stay true to our mission. When the world feels dim, look for the helpers. They are the bright light that shines through, reminding us that even small actions can ignite powerful change. ? To the superwomen who help us grow in ways we never imagined — thank you. Your courage, passion, and support mean everything. ?? We remain committed to creating spaces of equity and inclusive storytelling, where every voice shines. Learn more about us: https://buff.ly/KXomvZe #WomensDay #Gratitude #InclusiveStorytelling

Last month was a set of wonderful books that felt enriching with cups of chai. What have you been reading? Our age-wise recommendations for books are covered in all quarterly issues of Bento! Have a look: peerbagh.com/bookstore #books #diversifybookshelves

?? Zubaani Podcast is Back for Season 2! ?? Our podcast on intergenerational storytelling is returning—with the amazing Salma Hussain, author of Mona Hasan’s Secret Diary, joining as co-host! We’re diving into the stories that shape us—our food identities, cultural roots, and the tales we carry forward. Plus, inspiring Kidlit book recommendations throughout the episodes! Tune in this May during AAPI Month. All episodes will be freely available online for everyone to enjoy. P.s. Season 1 is LIVE right now here: https://lnkd.in/gP3KMcCR This season is made possible by generous support from Michigan Humanities and the Elevate grant from the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department. Stay tuned for more updates! ??? #ZubaaniPodcast #IntergenerationalStories #AAPIHeritageMonth #KidlitLovers #StorytellingTraditions

#MarchTheme: We are focused on intergenerational stories this spring season. There are a few in-person, online events, and book recommendations for you. And downloadable monthly toolkits and an upcoming StoryLab for our Bento members. Be sure to check our newsletter next week. Sign up for free: peerbagh.com/newsletter p.s. We also have a couple of announcements this month- one with the Varta event line up and another about a special project (coming soon!). With spring break and Ramzan season, we hope you get a chance to reflect on stories in your lives. #storytelling #books #kidlit

What a fantastic time we had last weekend at our Bento StoryLab with @mitaliruths! ?? ? Bento members and students got an exclusive sneak peek at her upcoming book from The Party Diaries series, and their excitement was contagious! We also had a blast with a creative writing prompt, and the stories were lovely. ?? ? A huge congratulations to Eliana from @froebels_international_school for crafting an wonderful story and winning a special prize from Bento! ????? ?? Don’t miss out on the next Bento StoryLabs—check out the schedule at peerbagh.com/bento. We can’t wait to see you there! ???? #BentoStoryLab #CreativeWriting #SouthAsianStories