Gwowing Mindz makes picture books for children. Ten characters so far, in two series.
One red panda family and the small moments every family knows: a picnic in the rain, a favourite toy that breaks. Each book ends with A Note for Grown-Ups and questions to ask while you read together.
Carries the picnic basket. Goes to bed with mud still in his ear.
The blanket! The sandwiches!
Packs the sandwiches. Sips her tea while the rain falls.
What if we let her try first?
Picks the perfect picnic spot. Fixes her own red cart.
The sky is LEAKING!
Wants to eat the crackers early. Dreams about the next puddle.
SPLASH!A preview of each book. Both are on Instagram at @gwowingmindz.
When rain ruins the picnic, four little red pandas find four very different ways to make it wonderful anyway. One scrambles. One stays calm. One investigates. One just wants to splash. Which one are you?
When Lemi's favourite toy breaks, four little red pandas find four very different ways to face it. One nibbles. One rushes in. One steps back. One works it out. Which one are you?
In The Broken Wheel, Zeno wants to fix Lemi's cart for her. Mira pauses and asks a question instead. The note at the end explains what that pause gives a child.
The feeling of I did this myself. That feeling is where confidence actually comes from. From the note in The Broken Wheel
Print editions are planned, and more books are on the way.
Tell me when they arriveA children's book series that passes Nepal's manuscript traditions on to the next generation through storytelling. The stories do not follow real artefacts, but each one shows a real situation: how a manuscript ends up neglected, and what it takes to find, save and protect it.
See the series at WCHN
Five friends, each with something special to offer. And at home, Dolma has the butter tea ready.
Knows the forgotten trails. Likes the idea of warm Mo:Mo: and butter tea.
I left it just as I found it.
Knows who to call. Pops on a tiny umbrella hat when it rains.
Don't untie it. And don't move it.
Asks the questions and keeps the notes. Arrives with her magnifier and soft brushes.
I will take notes.
Reads the old language. Puts his gloves on first, and brings a raincoat for a wet friend.
Here, Tenzing! You're soaking wet.
Knows how old paper is made. Carries a manuscript in both paws, slowly and carefully.
I will keep the manuscript safe.
Opens her home to the friends when they come in from the rain, with hot butter tea.
Namaste! Welcome to our home.Book One has gone to press.
Ask about copiesDr Bidur Bhattarai is a researcher of South Asian written heritage, with a particular focus on Nepal. He studies ancient manuscripts and written artefacts, decodes their scripts and languages, and makes the Preservation and Documentation film series.
Tell us who you are and what you are looking for.
Have a subject that needs characters and a story? See what we made with WCHN.
Start a conversationFriends who explore life and the world around them gently. They help each other grow without judgement, and every child can call them a companion. Everyone has a part to play, and that is a strength of its own.
Gwowing Mindz was founded by Bijneshwor Shrestha, a storyteller and illustrator who creates characters and stories rooted in South Asian culture, with a particular focus on Nepal. He designs characters that children can recognise as their own.
The books are written in English. Nepali and Newari editions are being planned.
Picture books for children, in English.
A page at the end of each book for the parents and teachers who read along.
Characters, writing and illustration for projects such as the WCHN series, to get children interested in their heritage from an early age.
Both Little Red Pandas books are on Instagram now.