Interview with young children's author Anushka Bhattacharjee

About Anushka Bhattacharjee, who is now 9 years old and in Grade 4, as told by her mother, Priyanka:

She was born in Arkansas, USA, then moved to Chicago, Dallas and now she lives in Toronto.

She started reading at the age of two. She is an avid reader, a regular member of the local libraries since she was a toddler, and has read over a 1000 library books just in the past year. While stuck at home during Covid-19 she wanted to do something constructive and that’s how she nurtured the idea of writing a book.

Her schooling started at Preston Hollow CDC, then Children's Courtyard, Universal Academy, and then Seneca Trail. This year she started at Coronation School where she has been selected for the gifted program. Anushka enjoys reading, bike riding, and movies. She is also very good at ice skating. She has a sister Arushi, in Grade 1 who is also writing her own first book.

Anushka has inspired many little readers during her in-person book events, who now want to pursue their dream of becoming an author. Anushka is very active in the community, and donates part of her proceeds to charitable organizations like "Durham Children's Aid Association, Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, Autism Home Base Durham Inc., Uxbridge Loaves & Fishes Food Bank, Super Sophia Project, Whitby Legion, Butterflyu, Sickkids Foundation, etc . She also sends donations to Ghana for little kids.

My Magic Mirror on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZWwILK

Anushka's Social Media:
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AnushkaLovesBooks
Insta : https://www.instagram.com/anushkachildauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anushkaAuthor
Website: https://bit.ly/3o2eRer
Youtube : https://youtu.be/Vmva5UBLLpY
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/anushkachildauthor

What was it like to write your very first book?
It felt like a project and a hobby at the same time

Tell me what your chapter book is about.
A Magic Mirror teleports Ara and Felice into the story of The Three Little Pigs. Can the kids rescue the pigs? Will their adventure twist the original story and end with a unique spin!?

What inspired you to write this story? 
From the infinite number of books I read! 

What do you think made you want to become a writer at such a young age?
I was very bored during Covid, so I wanted to do something constructive.

How do you want your story to make readers feel?
I want them to be interested, and I want them to imagine their own version of fairy tales.

What are your favourite scenes from your book (and why)?
When Ara and Felice drive the car, because they knock into everything, it's hilarious.

What was it like to get the book published? What did you have to do to get it all done?
We didn't know that there are so many steps to get a book published. It was a steep learning curve. 

Did you write this book during the pandemic? If so, how was that?
Yes, during online school recess/lunch .

You have another book coming up, don’t you? Tell me a bit about it!
Yes, its called The Wishing Tree, which is an adventure story.

What kinds of books and stories do you see yourself writing in the future?
Lots of sequels for my first book. And lots of other adventure stories.
 
Will you write any short stories? Plays? Movies? Or just lots of books?
I'll stick with books.
 
Lastly, tell me something special about yourself that others might not know about.
I am good at art!