We are story makers, working toward a world where books are loved by all.
With every tale we tell, we hope to grow the world’s joy of reading, and nurture new authors, illustrators and young readers – both here in India and across the globe. We like to think of ourselves as more than a children’s book publisher, but a community for the creative and imaginative. Day after day, what we do is driven by the meaningful connections we make: between words and pictures, kids and community, inspiration and action.
We are story makers, working toward a world where books are loved by all.
With every tale we tell, we hope to grow the world’s joy of reading, and nurture new authors, illustrators and young readers – both here in India and across the globe. We like to think of ourselves as more than a children’s book publisher, but a community for the creative and imaginative. Day after day, what we do is driven by the meaningful connections we make: between words and pictures, kids and community, inspiration and action.
Sanya
Founder
Sanya is the head bookworm behind Daffodil Lane. An avid reader and content producer, with a decade of experience in content and publishing, Sanya knows a good story when she sees one. With an MSc in Media and Communications from The London School of Economics, she set out to reimagine the publishing industry by setting up a boutique children's publishing house in 2018 that has since become a leading award-winning player in the field. Beyond the world of books, Sanya finds solace in painting and rediscovering the piano. Her love for all things paper, including watercolors, sticker books, and origami, keeps her inspired. She calls Mumbai home, sharing it with her husband and dog.
Daya
Managing Editor
Daya Subramanian has spent a lot of her life daydreaming and making up stories in her head. Luckily for her, she found her tribe in children's publishing - a space that encourages creativity! Daya has seven years of experience in the industry and has edited and commissioned over 50 books. She has an MA in Publishing from Oxford Brookes University. Her thesis on children's publishing in India was shortlisted for - and received an honourable mention at - the London Book Fair Excellence Award 2017. Daya is originally from Chennai, but currently lives in Mumbai with her two cats.
Elisha
Graphic Designer
Elisha Fernandes, with a background in architecture and art, creates illustrations that are a beautiful montage inspired by her travels and personal journey. When she isn't bringing stories to life with her art, she enjoys indulging in various hobbies, including learning new languages, binge-watching TV shows, and most recently, crocheting. At Daffodil Lane Books, Elisha is a graphic designer responsible for book layouts, providing creative input on storyboards, and managing social media content.
Priya
Office Assistant
Our first member at the office, she always brings us coffee even before we can ask for it. Priya is enviably organised and a mother of two. She is always the first one in and can get photocopies taken at the speed of light!
AUTHORS
DAVID
David Howlett lives with his family in the southern English countryside.
A keen up-cycler, he enjoys tinkering in the garage and making things, a kit-car was his latest project, using many parts from his garage (Lana would be proud!). He began his writing journey years ago, but started writing for his own children when they were little and it's grown from there with stories based on their, and his experiences and feelings. “I've always enjoyed reading picture books with them, they're a great way to bond with children and help them learn to read, and I love how good illustrations can tell a story all of their own.” I love working with Daffodil Lane; their vision of producing books to engage and nurture children is fantastic, and I was very proud to be one of the first authors they chose to represent.' David won the ECA-APER Jury award in 2022 for "Best Author".
You can find David on Instagram
BOOKS BY DAVID:
VAISHALI
Vaishali Shroff is an award-winning author, script writer, and columnist based in Mumbai. She has published over 250 stories, both fiction and non-fiction, in books, and also textbooks, magazines, newspapers, and digital media, across Indian and international publishing houses. She loves to write about unexplored places, untold histories, and issues that need a voice but have none.
When she isn't writing, you can find her hiding behind the couch from her two boys who are waiting to pounce on her. In her own words, “I love the equation I share with DLB, working together to make the world a better place through books…”
You can find Vaishali on Instagram
BOOKs BY VAISHALI:
REA
Born and brought up in Bombay with a voracious appetite for company, Rea adores books and food in equal measure. She also has a twin brother, but luckily for him, he can’t be consumed.
Rea has published two picturebooks with DLB namely Don’t Intrude on my Mood! and There’s Coriander in my Sugar-Pot! and is thrilled to be working with a company that shares her passion for telling stories full of heart and meaning.
Like most grown -ups, she juggles many responsibilities, such as being an award-winning author, English and Drama teacher, a freelance writer, actor and voice-over artist. It is essential that she is fed cake at regular intervals for productivity purposes.
You can find Rea on Instagram
BOOKS BY REA:
KARAN and ADITYA
Best friends since high school, Karan Shah and Aditya Shah put their creative minds together to co-author their first-ever children's book "Food Fight".
Both food entrepreneurs by profession, endeavor to keep their creative juices flowing. Karan writes Bollywood screenplays, feature films, and web series, while Aditya enjoys his time reading, writing, and traveling.
Having lived through their fair share of food fights through school, their book is an homage to that memory, and a dedication to Karan's children, Sitara and Ranvir.
BOOKS BY KARAN & ADITYA:
MEGHA
Since her early years, Megha has been captivated by the enchanting world of picture books, immersing herself in the realm of mythical creatures. She attended a boarding school nestled in the lush Nilgiris Forests of India, fostering a deeper connection with animals. However, fate steered her from reptiles to the intricacies of human behavior, leading her down the path of a career in consumer research. Now calling Mumbai home, Megha embraces a colorful existence alongside her husband, two rescued cats, and their two children. Undeniably, her days are full, but her heart overflows with love, which she wholeheartedly pours into her writing for children.
You can find Megha on Instagram
Books by Megha:
BHARTI
An ex-marketing professional, Bharti Singh has worked with Nickelodeon and Viacom Motion Pictures in the past. She's a certified Waldorf Educator, an amateur gardener, a skateboarder and many different things on different days. She lives in Mumbai with her husband, their seven-year-old daughter and a dog named Haiku.
'No Is a Good Word' celebrates fearless kids who speak their minds.
You can find Bharti on Instagram
Books by Bharti:
ILLUSTRATORS
Jessica
Jessica Shaw lives in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, where she teaches Pre-K and happily spends her days viewing life from a child's perspective. She's convinced it's the very best way to look at the world. Growing up, Jessica spent many hours in the company of barnyard animal friends. She believes in spreading kindness and sharing cookies.
You can find Jessica on Instagram
Books by Jessica:
Urvashi
Award-winning illustrator Urvashi Dubey is known for her knack for creating imaginative children's picture books. As former Art Director at Daffodil Lane Books, she played a crucial role in developing the brand's aesthetic and illustrated numerous picture books. Urvashi has always aimed to evoke feelings of nostalgia and relatability through her art and sees it as a powerful tool in storytelling.
You can find Urvashi on Instagram and check out her work on her website.
BOOKS BY URVASHI:
Cat’s Diwali | Try Your Best, Patrick | One More Does Matter, Lana | There's a Leopard in my House | Don't Intrude on my Mood! | Grown Up Who Never Stopped Drawing | There's Coriander in my Sugar Pot! | Food Fight | No is a Good Word | The Christmas Tree Mystery
LETISHA
Letisha Fernandes initially worked as an in-house illustrator for Daffodil Lane Books, but has since transformed into a skilled expert in branding, mixed media, and graphic design. Despite being a millennial, her passion for 80's music is evident in her playlist, where you'll often find Fleetwood Mac and Iron and Wine. A firm believer that pancakes qualify as a hearty meal, and she never passes up the chance to pet any dog she encounters. She's also an avid Pinterest user, with a collection of saved photos on her phone that could be considered archival.
You can find Letisha on Instagram
BOOKS BY LETISHA:
Pauline
Pauline Gregory lives in England by the sea. As an illustrator, she takes inspiration from the funny and endearing things animals and people do every day, as well as the superb imagination of children, to create quirky illustrations with humour and charm. Animals are her favourite thing to draw, so this book was a wonderful bundle of animal fun.
You can find Pauline on Instagram
Books by Pauline:
ELIZABETH
Meet Elizabeth Alexandra Andersion, a multi-talented illustrator extraordinaire who has conquered the realms of teaching, illustration, and graphic design! Having ventured across diverse countries like Bhutan and Spain, Elizabeth has discovered her cozy sanctuary in a delightful English village, where she resides with her husband, two daughters, and a delightful pack of five rescue dogs. When she's not busy being a graphic designer, she is immersed in her true passion: creating magical illustrations for children's books and delighting her Instagram audience with whimsical drawings of her furry companions.
You can find Elizabeth on Instagram
BOOKS BY ELIZABETH:
On Instagram
