About Us

One Up Library

One Up is revolutionising traditional notions of libraries and bookstores. We have created vibrant, intellectually stimulating, and child-centric learning spaces tailored for the curious, tech-savvy, and globally-minded 21st-century child. Our centres are dynamic hubs of knowledge and creativity. They offer a curated collection of diverse literature, immersive learning experiences, and thought-provoking activities. These elements converge to inspire children to become passionate, lifelong learners and critical thinkers.

Founded by education entrepreneur & literacy strategist, Dalbir Kaur, One Up embarked on its transformative journey in April 2011 with the opening of its first centre in Amritsar, India. This was followed by a facility in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi in August 2017. Our latest milestone is a new sister facility in Gurugram that opened its doors in July 2024, further extending our reach in fostering a community of avid readers and innovative thinkers.

What Makes Us Unique

One Up Library & Learning Lab: Vasant Vihar & Gurugram

Our library offers a curated collection of books and enriching experiences for children.

  • Picture books for all ages to explore new worlds and reflect on their experiences.
  • Leveled readers and chapter books for smooth progression to complex texts.
  • Graphic novels to develop inferential and interpretive skills.
  • Reading programs, book tastings, and personalized challenges to engage minds and hearts.

The Library & Learning Lab offers:

  • Parent workshops, author interactions, and writing workshops.
  • Personalized reading support and STEM/STEAM programs.

Open to ages 6 months to 14 years.

Children’s Book Studio: One Up, Vasant Vihar

One Up Book Studio is a curated and intimate Children’s Bookstore. From space exploration to the latest Manga, and from inspiring biographies to breezy summer reads, we have the perfect book for every child, whether aged 4 or 14.

Our collections feature:

  • Picture books curated to PYP themes and Units of Inquiry
  • Levelled books and early chapter books for developing readers
  • Graphic novels and award-winning genre fiction for intermediate and middle school readers.
  • Non fiction, expository and narrative nonfiction for readers across ages.

Every book is purposefully selected to ensure each reader finds their next great read.

School Partnerships

One Up collaborates with schools to enhance literacy and foster a reading culture.

  • Library Development Programs: Creating vibrant, age-appropriate libraries for all school levels.
  • Teacher Training Workshops: Building robust reading programs tailored to school practices.
  • Curated Book Exhibitions: Organizing exhibitions with carefully selected books for various school levels.
  • Expert Consulting Services: Offering professional advice on library management and reading initiatives.

We provide access to world-class literacy tools, including:

  • Benchmark Assessment System by Fountas & Pinnell
  • Interactive Read-Aloud and Guided Reading by Fountas & Pinnell
  • Units of Reading & Writing by Lucy Calkins

Our customized offerings align with IB, CBSE, ICSE, and state school curricula, transforming libraries into hubs of curiosity and literary exploration. We empower educators to foster passionate, critical readers and writers.

Workshops Offerings

  • Curating a Transformative Novel Study Program: Infusing Purpose, Joy, and Celebration into Reading
  • Mastering the Art of Interactive Read-Aloud: Cultivating Engaged and Thoughtful Readers
  • Empowering Readers: Building Independent, Collaborative, and Critical Thinkers Through Book Clubs
  • Navigating the Digital Reading Landscape: Cultivating Purposeful and Balanced Readers
  • Graphic Novels Unleashed: Fostering Creativity and Critical Thinking Through Visual Storytelling
  • Mastering Text Complexity: Elevating Literacy Through the Fountas & Pinnell A-Z Gradient
  • Cultivating Thoughtful Readers: Leveraging Thinking Routines to Enhance Literacy
  • Reading Conferences: Cultivating a Lifelong Love of Reading
  • Making Independent Reading Visible in Library and Classrooms
  • Harnessing the Power of Guided Reading by Fountas and Pinnell to elevate literacy instruction in school
  • Mastering the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System: Elevate Your Literacy Instruction
  • Sparking discussion and inquiry amongst  learners across the year with Fountas & Pinnell powerful Interactive Read-aloud

Who We Work With

Schools

  • Heritage Xperiential Learning School, Gurugram
  • Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai
  • R.P.Goenka International School, Kolkata
  • Nehru World School, Ghaziabad & Healthy Planet, Noida
  • Ahmedabad International School, Ahmedabad
  • Fountainhead School, Surat
  • The Heritage School, Vasant Kunj
  • The Heritage School, Rohini
  • The Step by Step School, Noida
  • Sri Venkateshwar International School, Dwarka
  • Oberoi International School, Mumbai
  • Universal School, Tardeo, Dahisar, Ghatkopar, Thane and Aurangabad
  • Ebenezer International School, Nashik & Bangalore
  • Nahar International School, Mumbai
  • St Savio Dominic High School, Mumbai
  • Don Bosco International School, Mumbai
  • Miri Piri Academy, Amritsar
  • Springdale Senior School, Amritsar
  • N.H. Goel School, Raipur
  • Vega Schools, Gurugram
  • Manav Rachna International School, Faridabad
  • The Cathedral & John Connon Infant School, Mumbai
  • Prometheus School, Noida
  • Lotus Valley International School, Gurgaon
  • Suchitra Academy, Hyderabad
  • The Shri Ram School, Vasant Vihar & Aravalli Campus
  • Lotus Valley International School, Noida
  • Vasant Valley, New Delhi
One Up Library

Amritsar Authors

  • Prof Sugata Bose – “His Majesty’s Opponents”
  • Prof Ayesha Jalal – “The Sole Spokesman”
  • Mark Tully – “Mrs Gandhi’s Last Battle”
  • Manju Kapur – “Home”
  • Shekhar Gupta – “Anticipating India”
  • Sonora Jha – “Foreign”
  • Namita Devidayal – “The Music Room”
  • Khushwant Singh – “Fauja Singh”
  • Pavit Kaur – “Stolen Years”
  • Paro Anand – “Wingless” & “No Guns at my Son’s Funeral”
  • Roopa Pai – “The Taranauts” & “The Gita”
  • Natasha Sharma – “Ashoka & the Tricky Traitor” & “Rooster Raga”
  • Priya Kurien – “Illustrator’s Workshop”
  • Shabnam Minwala – “The Six Spellmakers of Dorabji Street” & “The Shy Supergirl”
  • Rukhsana Khan – “Wanting Mor”
  • Himanjali Sarkar – “The Stupendous Superdog series”
  • Anushka Ravishankar – “Moin & The Monster”
  • Suranya Aiyer – “The Mango, the ant and the Bucket of Water”
One Up Library

Delhi Authors

  • Vaishali Shroff – writing retreat January 2024
  • Bijal Vachharanjani – writing retreat February 2024
  • Nikkolas Smith – The Artivist Tour 2024
  • Ntasha Sharma – Biji in the Kitchen 2023
  • Paro Anand – Being Gandhi 2023
  • Himani Dalmia – Thammi’s Gift 2023
  • Venita Coehlo – Writing like an Author 2023
  • Deepa Agarwal – Folktales Magic 2023
  • Himanjali Sarkar – The stupendous time traveling dog 2023
  • Priya Kurien – Beauty is Missing 2023
  • Devika Rangachari – Queen of Fire 2022
  • Stuti Agarwal – Young Kalam 2019
  • Elise Gravel – Monster doodling session 2019
  • Richa Jha – Maccher Jhol 2019
  • Samina Mishra – Citizenship 2019
  • Bulbul Sharma – Trees 2018
  • Madhuri Kamat – Flying Away Grandpa 2018
  • Natasha Sharma – Rooster Raga 2017
Review

Testimonials