My Story

 Growing up in Hong Kong, I spent my days roller-skating, riding my bike, doing handstands, and playing with my guinea pigs in my secret garden—my magical space. After a day of fun with friends from my street, I indulged in juicy mangoes, relishing the sweetness of childhood. My mum shared mythical stories from India, rich with vibrant characters, while my dad instilled grit through squash and tennis practice three times a week. I also spent countless hours singing, dancing, and acting—all the perfect ingredients for a future children’s book writer!

 

There was just ONE problem: I didn’t like reading.

 

But guess what? My big sister devoured every book in sight! And at night, after the lights went out, she would spin tales about far-off lands, whisking me away on dreamy adventures. I travelled to enchanted forests and met brave knights, all from the comfort of my bed.

 

There was just ONE MORE problem: all the heroes she described were brave, far away, and none of them looked like me.

 

So, I decided to scribble my own stories—poems and worlds that whispered from my imagination. It was just something I did — quietly, secretly — because no one else had made space for them. I never thought I’d write a book. Who would care about my voice? So I became a teacher to make room for others to tell their stories. 

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Then came the PLOT TWIST!

 

One day, my daughter asked why we migrated from India to Hong Kong. I explained how our family survived the largest mass migration in world history - the 1947 Partition of India. But when we went to the library to find a children’s book about it, we couldn't find any. My little girl put her hands on her hips and said, “You’re making it up, aren’t you?” It broke my heart. It was as if the 14 million people who lost their homes and the 1 million who died never happened. How would future generations learn about their loss, but also their sacrifices and resilience?

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That’s when I knew I had to write the book that we couldn’t find—to honour the courage of those who carried their homeland in their hearts. This book is for my daughter, for my family, and for every child who deserves to see their history reflected in the pages of a book.

 

So, what's the MORAL of this story?

 

Storytelling is magic! It connects us, builds empathy, and offers mirrors and windows into diverse lives. Every tale can spark curiosity and compassion, reminding us of our shared humanity. And yes, I believe I have the BEST job in the world!