Yali Books began as a mother-daughter collaborative project between author Kala Sambasivan and illustrator Ambika Sambasivan. Kala & Ambika worked together to create Bye, Bye, Motabhai!, a zany adventure set in the historic city of Ahmedabad, a place special to both creatives. The book was well received, which spurred them to grow their passion project into something bigger.

Kala & Ambika dreamed of creating books that would capture the incredible cultural diversity of South Asia—India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives—and its vibrant global diaspora. Through stories, Yali Books invites young readers to see and learn about the places the founders have lived in, traveled to, or dreamed about going to, and experience the unique magic of being desi. Since the first book in 2013, Yali's family of authors and illustrators has grown to include incredible writers and artists from around the world.

Our books provide a rich connection to our shared desi heritage for families of South Asian descent. They also offer educators and librarians ways to expand their curriculum and collections with engaging and authentic stories about South Asians, created by South Asians.