Dinesh Deckker and Subhashini Sumanasekara, the visionary couple behind a captivating array of children’s literature, infuse their creative endeavours with expertise and passion. Drawing from Subhashini’s distinguished background in ICT education and Dinesh’s extensive experience in digital marketing, their collaboration yields enchanting tales aimed at nurturing children’s values and imagination.
Their journey into crafting children’s books commenced with a profound inspiration — the birth of their daughter, Sasha. Seeking to weave stories around Sasha and Kitty, her cherished pet cat, they embarked on their storytelling odyssey with their inaugural book, ‘Sasha and Kitty's Enchanted Journey’ in 2023.
This marked the beginning of their remarkable literary journey, with ‘Building Bridges: Tales of Empathy, Courage', and Discovery series comprising ten books, designed to instil essential values such as empathy, friendship, honesty and perseverance.
Their collaborative writing process entails meticulous planning and idea-sharing. While Subhashini takes the lead in crafting the narrative, Dinesh contributes to refining the storyline and spearheads the creative design process. Together, they ensure each book maintains a unique identity while conveying valuable messages to young readers.
Their dedication to fostering moral development through storytelling is palpable in the diverse themes explored in their books. From empathy and compassion to respect for diversity and integrity, each story serves as a gentle guide for children navigating life’s complexities.
Drawing inspiration from revered authors like Hans Christian Andersen, E B White, Anna Sewell and their timeless literary works, Dinesh and Subhashini craft narratives that resonate with both children and adults alike.
Their commitment to conservation shines through as they utilise animal characters to convey crucial messages about environmental awareness and wildlife protection. Yet, their path as children’s book authors hasn’t been without challenges. Securing suitable illustrators posed a significant hurdle, prompting them to take matters into their own hands and create illustrations using various platforms and tools.
Despite challenges, Dinesh and Subhashini celebrate numerous milestones. From receiving their first author copy to witnessing the joy of young readers engaging with their books, each success fuels their storytelling passion. Their promotional endeavours primarily target online platforms like Amazon, where their books have garnered positive feedback from a diverse audience. Looking ahead, they plan to expand their reach by participating in book fairs and collaborating with local publishers.
With new books in the pipeline and translations underway to cater to Arabic-speaking audiences, they have undertaken a new challenge – writing a comprehensive book about Muttrah Fort, reflecting their deep appreciation for Omani culture and their desire to give back to the community.
Mixed reviews from young readers of Al Injaz International Private School, Al Ansab, about the books echo the diverse viewpoints they offer. Maitha al Nabhani, who enjoyed ‘Whiskers and Wings’, highlights its powerful message about cooperation and acceptance.
Similarly, Inas al Maskari finds ‘Elara’s Lesson: A Tale of Empathy and Compassion’ enchanting, while Yasmeen al Ghabshi was captivated by ‘The Emerald Glade Adventure,’ seamlessly blending lessons about honesty and loyalty into an exciting tale of exploration.
Essam al Hidaifi from ‘Enchanted Treasure Hunt,’ Shihab al Jabri from ‘Harmony Race,’ and Amaar al Maskari from ‘Sasha’s Enchanted Journey’ all offer their unique perspectives, highlighting the impact of these stories on young minds.
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