April 22: With World Book Day around the corner, a notable shift is taking shape in India’s children’s publishing and toy landscape. Leading this shift is the Delhi-NCR–based startup Panda’s Box, whose flagship interactive title, My First Book of Mantras, has seen an extraordinary reception since its official launch in January 2026, crossing 13,000+ sales.
My First Book of Mantras has maintained strong momentum this year, consistently selling approximately 3,000 units per month, reflecting surging demand from parents seeking screen-free, mindful alternatives for their toddlers.
The success of this launch has unveiled a significant gap in the market for interactive, culturally rooted educational tools. In response, Panda’s Box has announced plans to expand this concept into a complete series of interactive books.
“We are seeing a clear shift where parents don’t mind paying for premium, well-researched books if they provide a gateway to our heritage,” says Rajat Mendiratta, Founder and CEO of Panda’s Box. “The response since January has been humbling, and our team is focused on ensuring every family looking for this cultural connection can bring it into their homes.”
“Our mission is to create a ‘slow lane’ for children to grow,” adds Co-founder Sukriti Mendiratta, who leads the brand’s product development. “This book is just the beginning of a larger ecosystem of purposeful play”.
My First Book of Mantras is designed as a complete sensory and learning aid for children aged 0–6. It comes with 30 Melodic Mantras: The book features three unique mantras for each of the 10 different deities, introducing children to a wide spectrum of devotion. Complete Hanuman Chalisa: A dedicated section featuring the full Hanuman Chalisa to encourage daily recitation and focus. Interactive Engagement: Easy-to-use play buttons and vibrant illustrations help build connections and learn mantras in the process
