The Lotus flower is significant in many cultures and religions. It stands for resilience, purity, inner strength, and humility. In my book, I Am a Lotus, I want to bring our attention to this flower and learn from it to make our lives wholesome, happy, and fulfilling.
I have been teaching children about South Asian cultures for 8 years. While doing so and as a parent, I have realized that very few quality, relevant books fully reflect our culture. Through my books, I write about stories and topics that bring our culture to life so our children can experience and learn from these books and stories.
I have some very fond memories of learning about rich Indian stories from a range of people. Social interactions in those days in India involved storytelling, not just about myth and folklore but also personal experiences. I remember spending long nights on our terrace, especially when we had electricity outages for hours, and there was nothing else to do but tell stories and share experiences.
My grandmother would tell us stories of Lord Rama and Sita, and Mahabharata. I heard different stories from each of my parents since they followed different religions and grew up in different parts of South Asia. I also loved attending festivals and performances like the Ramleela, where art, dance, music, and performance converge.
I thrived on and cherished all these experiences as a child. Now, as an adult, I am having an amazing time reliving those memories as I write books and tell stories to children.

In her book, ‘I am a Lotus’, Anu SehgaI shares tips on embodying this angelic flower through yoga, meditation, and mudras so that each one of us can become like a lotus in our lives. She combines the Lotus book reading with breathing, art activity and yoga, making the experience more enriching and memorable.
I have written five books now, and as the founder of The Culture Tree, I have made these books into interactive performances. My company promotes cultural literacy about South Asia through language and educational and cultural programs. We aim to create empathy, respect, and understanding towards different cultures and further inclusiveness while helping address questions about Identity with heritage cultures. We collaborate with museums, libraries, schools, and cultural institutions. My book on Holi and Raksha Bandhan festivals has been turned into a dance performance and puppet show. My latest book on Lotus has been turned into a breathing and yoga session. This takes the learning process to the next level.
I am excited to launch my children’s book, I am a Lotus, it is illustrated by Diah Chakraborty and published by Eternal Tree Books.
I love to share cultural stories from India that are educational and teach children specifically and people in general how to lead wholesome, responsible, and happy lives.
Growing up in India, I saw the lotus flower everywhere: in ancient sculptures, at temples, in textiles, and even in dance and yoga. The lotus is also the national flower of India. This flower has thrived for centuries and has become a symbol of strength, resilience, and purity.
Through I Am a Lotus, I want to share more about this angelic flower revered and celebrated by several cultures worldwide. I want the lotus to inspire children worldwide to share, uplift others, deal with adversity, find peace and happiness, and become a lotus in mind and body.
In my book, I also share tips on embodying this flower through yoga, meditation, and mudras so that each one of us can become like a lotus in our lives.
When we do a Lotus book reading, we combine it with breathing, art activity, and yoga, which makes the experience enriching and memorable.
Photos courtesy Anu Sehgal/The Culture Tree
Celebrating culture and mindfulness in children's books




Anu Sehgal’s I am a Lotus has been featured at:
- New York Public Library’s (NYPL) World Literature Festival
- Jaipur Literature Festival
- Asian American BookCon
- IAAC Literature Festival
- Brooklyn Museum Children’s Literature Festival
“I Am a Lotus will resonate with all readers, offering nuggets of universal wisdom on every page, nurturing minds and souls. It is a reminder to be resilient and blossom gracefully like the lotus flower, in Love Light Laughter.”
Anu’s books include:
I am a Lotus, a diverse picture book on mindfulness, meditation and reflection to become a lotus in mind and body.
My First Hindi Words, an essential book for introductory Hindi learners. Gujarati books launching in Fall 2024.
Kahaani Rangeeli is a Hindi book on Holi that tells the story of Krishna and teaches kindness.
Kahaani Chamkeeli is a Hindi book on Raksha Bandhan that tells the story of Ganesha and Manasa Devi and their bond and friendship.
Phalon Ka Raja AAM is a bilingual Hindi-English picture book that introduces young readers to the Hindi language and vibrant Indian culture through the beloved fruit, mango.