Know Children' Writer XX: Harshika Udasi

Harshikaa Udasi is a renowned children's author and journalist with over two decades of experience in the media and literary world. She has worked with some of India’s most prestigious newspapers, including The Times of India, Business Standard, and The Hindu, where she honed her skills in storytelling and reportage. Her deep passion for writing and her ability to connect with young readers led her to the world of children's literature, where she has made a significant mark.

Her debut children's book, Kitu’s Very Mad Day, was a resounding success, winning the FICCI Best Children’s Book Award (English) in 2017. The book, known for its engaging narrative and relatable themes, cemented her position as a leading voice in Indian children’s literature. In addition to her standalone works, Udasi has contributed to several anthologies, including Flipped 2, On Your Marks, Dance Nani Dance, and Caturday, showcasing her versatility in storytelling across different themes and genres.

Beyond writing, Harshikaa Udasi is deeply committed to fostering a love for reading among children. She runs the Book Trotters Club, a unique reading initiative designed for children aged 3 to 16 years. Through this club, she encourages young minds to engage with literature interactively and enjoyably. The club has traveled across various Indian cities, including Pune, Nashik, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai, making books more accessible and reading a fun-filled activity for children from diverse backgrounds.

Some of her notable books include Kitu’s Very Mad Day, Friends Behind Walls, and The Story Quilt, all of which have been praised for their heartwarming storytelling, strong characters, and themes that resonate with young readers. Through her work, Udasi continues to inspire, educate, and entertain children across India.

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Vacation of Little Naturalist

Know Children Writer XII-Janhavi Samant

Janhavi Samant is a children’s author, journalist, and content marketing professional with a deep passion for storytelling. Her love for tales began in childhood, listening to her grandma and parents share a variety of stories—funny, heroic, tragic, and even outright bizarre. These early experiences instilled in her a lifelong fascination with the power of stories to connect and entertain. As a mother, Samant has continued this storytelling tradition. She finds joy in retelling, recycling, and even creating new tales for her children at bedtime. For her, these moments are not just about entertainment; they are about building strong, enduring bonds between parents and kids. She believes stories are the simplest and most powerful way to foster imagination, empathy, and creativity. “Stories help us envision ourselves in different places and situations,” she says, “allowing us to grow our perspectives and dream bigger.” Janhavi Samant’s books resonate with humor, nostalgia, and the ...

Bedtime stories

As parents, we are always busy with different levels of work. Official, household chores, social communications, and many more. We have limited time to warm up our bonding. Despite my busy schedule, I managed time for Neel's (my son) bedtime. Neel's bedtime started at 8:30-9:30pm. Before fall asleep both of us interact about numerous topics. First 10-15 minutes we discuss an imaginary world that is Hot wheel cars, Airplanes, SMART house, Space station, Dinosaurs, Dragon, Solar systems, and many more. Thereafter I started to tell some short stories that give him morale to his inquisitive mind for about 5-8 minutes. Finally, I sing lullabies cuddle over a hand. Normally I sing only one lullaby but sometimes more than two songs. Simultaneously I also massage his foot, head, and hand. I often massage the back and whole body for his ultimate relaxation. This is the precious moment of both of us or Ourtime . This may be reciprocal and I also feel ultimate relaxation....

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