Three acclaimed children’s authors, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, Jyoti Rajan Gopal, and Padma Venkatraman, will share their insights on storytelling at the South Asian Literature and Arts Festival.
Engaging in a conversation with three extraordinary writers—Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, Jyoti Rajan Gopal, and Padma Venkatraman—at the South Asian Literature and Arts Festival is a highlight for many, especially for those passionate about children’s literature. Marking Sunday, September 14, on my planner with a neon star signifies the excitement surrounding this event.
Each of these accomplished authors brings a unique perspective to children’s literature, yet they share a common belief: stories have the power to foster belonging, instill courage, and evoke laughter.
Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, the author of the recent book Let’s Use Our Words, transforms wordplay into an engaging adventure. She reflects on her upbringing in a family where books and newspapers were integral to daily life. “I grew up in an era where we had far fewer distractions than what youngsters have to contend with today, so it was easy to turn to books,” she shared. “My father was a ‘newspaper man,’ and we subscribed to many in our home. The reading habit and conversations about what we had discovered in our readings began early.”
For Srinivasan, words were not merely read; they were performed, heard, and felt. “The sound of words was my particular forte. I still read aloud everything I write before I submit to publishers,” she added. In addition to being an author, she is also a biographer and voice-over artist.
In contrast, Jyoti Rajan Gopal’s writing is deeply influenced by her experiences as a third-culture kid. “Being a third culture kid provided me with the unique gift of being a global citizen,” she noted. “Yet it also created many moments of alienation and feelings of displacement, and I know that bleeds into my writing.”
As a kindergarten teacher, Gopal’s prolific picture books, including her latest release, Over in The Mangroves, explore themes of belonging, identity, and the delicate transitions of childhood. “Much of my writing comes from this place, which is why I think I write about people finding community and belonging, about accepting that they straddle worlds and finding joy and possibilities in that,” she explained. Her words resonate deeply, especially for those who share similar immigrant experiences.
Padma Venkatraman, another remarkable author, embarked on her journey to becoming a celebrated children’s writer fueled by her passion for both mathematics and language. “I always loved words. But I also loved mathematics. In a way, the two aren’t that different for me. Music is a mathematical art, after all, and literature, at its best, is music,” she articulated.
Growing up in India, Venkatraman was driven by a desire for independence and financial security, leading her to a career in oceanography, which aligned with her love for science and the environment. However, writing remained a constant companion. Her middle-grade novel, Safe Harbor, tells the poignant story of a lost seal puppy that helps a young girl navigate the challenges of moving to a new home. “When my novels took off nearly 20 years ago, I realized there was a lot to be done in the field of children’s literature, especially to increase representation. Literary success allowed me to become a full-time author and to help other authors of color, including many other desi voices,” she shared.
Listening to these three women recount their journeys instills a renewed sense of wonder about how childhood shapes us and how stories influence our formative years.
On September 14, Srinivasan, Gopal, and Venkatraman will come together for an afternoon panel titled “Tales that Transcend” at Menlo College in Atherton. Attendees can look forward to an inspiring discussion that promises to transport them into the world of children’s literature.
Source: Original article