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by Rita Kakati-Shah (Author)
Time Travel to Assam is a richly illustrated bilingual picture book that transports young readers on a magical, intergenerational journey through one of India's most culturally vibrant and distinct regions: Assam. Aimed at children aged 6-14, this unique story blends adventure, heritage, and language, inviting readers to explore the customs, traditions, and natural beauty of Northeast India.
The story follows four third-generation Assamese cousins-Raahi, Reia, Sofia, and James-and their spirited puppy Ruffles, who begin their adventure inside a magical time machine-the Rufflator, which whisks them away to Assam in the year 1969. There, they meet younger versions of their own family members and begin a captivating journey of discovery, bridging past and present, tradition and modernity.
Throughout their adventure, the children explore many aspects of Assamese culture: they dance Bihu, visit the silk-weaving village of Sualkuchi, meet wildlife at Kaziranga National Park, ride elephants, dress in traditional attire, and share delicious local dishes. They also learn about the great saint Srimanta Sankardev and his lasting influence on Assamese identity. Their sense of curiosity and wonder leads them to deeper questions about who they are and where they come from.
Told primarily in English, the book features a summarized Assamese translation on each double-page spread, accompanied by phonetic English pronunciations-making it easy for children (and adults) who are unfamiliar with Assamese script to follow along. This format fosters early exposure to the Assamese language and script while encouraging intergenerational conversations, especially among diaspora families.
Released in celebration of Assamese being named one of India's official classical languages, Time Travel to Assam offers a timely and timeless story that promotes cultural understanding, self-discovery, and language preservation. It is well suited for multicultural classrooms, bilingual programs, global studies units, diaspora communities, and school libraries seeking diverse and inclusive children's literature.
This beautifully layered picture book blends genres-cultural fiction, educational non-fiction, heritage storytelling, and fantasy adventure-making it both an enjoyable family read and a valuable educational tool. It reminds readers that understanding where we come from can help us better understand who we are.
