Embark on a heartfelt adventure where a young boy’s courage meets the untamed spirit of a rescued mare. In The Quest of a Boy and His Mare, author Swati Rakesh Nanda weaves a touching, poetic journey of friendship, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals. With his mother’s wisdom lighting the way, the boy braves challenges and defies odds to grant his beloved mare the freedom she deserves.
Brimming with evocative illustrations and timeless values, this enchanting story invites readers of all ages to discover the true meaning of love, empathy, and dreams worth chasing.
1. What motivated you to write for children, and how do you make sure your stories truly connect with young minds?
Children are curious learners and are engrossed well in a story when put forth in a more enjoyable and creative manner. At bedtime, it started then by using imagination and my son and I would have imaginary conversations which took the shape of a story. Looking at his curiosity and the spark is what motivated me to pen down our experiences.
2. What are the key messages or values you wanted to share through your latest children’s book?
The book imbibes empathy, love, courage and bravery as an important message for children.
3. Illustrations are vital in children’s storytelling. How did creating or working with visuals influence the way your story came to life?
I would be pleased to say that while it took me a while to create the illustrations myself with earthy colors, the team made sure that the same tones of the palette were carefully used in the background highlighting the essence of every illustration. It was heartwarming especially after seeing the final outcome.
4. How do you ensure your stories strike the right balance between fun and learning for children?
In this fast moving era, young readers with tender minds have much multitasking on their hands therefore having simple words of significance with elaborate and focused images becomes a key factor in educating children’s books.
5. Your characters feel very real and lovable. What’s your process for creating characters that resonate with kids—and are they inspired by your own life?
Every child is gifted and has similar experiences in unique circumstances. Hence the characters portrayed are living beings projected in the most simple manner that are relatable.
6. With so many digital distractions today, what role do you think children’s books still play in inspiring a love for reading and imagination?
Anything consumed more than as it should be can feel like a storm, especially with the new age entertainment and digital choices. Reading on the other hand is a slow process which is much like the calm after a storm.
7. Writing for children requires a unique tone. How do you craft your language and style to be age-appropriate yet meaningful as they grow?
Simple, subtle, sublime are few words which make the foundation of a story, it makes the reader interested and yearns for more.
8. How do you see your books fitting into a classroom or home setting? What role do families and educators play in your storytelling journey?
It all begins with parents as they are the primary caregivers, and I believe in drawing the interest and attention of the caregivers first as they will pass on the experience to their children, and fellow parents.
Buy your copy today on amazon and experience a magical ride that stays with you long after the last page.
