The Chhaya Children Quartet
By Priya Chhaya

The Heart of the River and From the Stars to the Moon are the first two books in the Chhaya Children Quartet a series of children’s books the author is writing for her nieces and nephews. They are meant to inspire empathy, kindness, and to make a space where kids like them can see themselves in the books they read.

From the Stars to the Moon

Mr. Dragon had a problem. He had to travel from the Stars to the Moon for Mr. Dino’s birthday party. 

But his spaceship would not start.

He jiggled the whatsit.
He turned the whatnot.
He kicked the thingamabob.
But nothing would get the ship to start.

Travel from the stars to the moon as Siana and her friends help Mr. Dragon fix his spaceship with the best fuel of all: laughter.

With illustrations by Sukhada Rahalkar

The Heart of the River

In every story that you read,
a heroine or hero fills a need
and the day is saved—not with luck,
but with courage, heart, and a bit of pluck.

Every adventure starts the same way: with one foot in front of the other. The Heart of the River follows a young explorer named Arya as she searches for wonder at the heart of the River Idira. Along the way she encounters a fearsome dragon, and uncovers her own ability for courage and kindness.

With illustrations by Shane Talbott.

Read more about my writing process.