Kadooboo!: A Silly South Indian Folktale

Ages 4 to 8

In this South Indian folktale retelling full of playful wordplay and humor, a boy mixes up the name of a delicious dish he is carrying home to his mother.

Kadooboo! Golden brown, puffy, sweet, and crunchy, it’s fresh from the pan—a delicious treat!

As soon as it’s ready, Kabir runs home with some to share.

He’s got to be quick, before the rain! But wait … can he remember the treat’s name? (His Amma is sure to ask!)

Of course he can. That is, if fun and friends aren’t too distracting along the way.

As Kabir makes his way, the sights and sounds of the street and interactions with friends start to jumble his memory. A cool new comic, and suddenly the treat is book-oo-doo! When a ball whizzes toward him—duck-oo-boo! With so much fun to be had, Kabir reaches home with a trail of friends … and a jumble of names. Could he possibly remember the right one?

This modern retelling of a South Indian folktale blends playful wordplay with delightfully quick pacing in a story about friends, family, and food—the perfect recipe for a satisfying story time.

About the Author

Shruthi Rao writes books for children. She loves books, trees, hikes, benches, eating kadooboos, and hanging out with her daughter. More than 100 of her articles, columns, and short stories have been published in newspapers, magazines, and literary journals in India, the United States, and Canada. She lives in California with her family.

Darshika Varma is a freelance illustrator based in Mumbai, India. She loves drawing characters in vibrant scenes and adorning them with emotions. She spends her free time traveling, birdwatching, and reading books.