Dr Aruna Shekar
Auckland, December 15, 2024
Children worldwide need access to books in different languages that portray a range of characters and cultures.
Many immigrant children growing up in New Zealand are disconnected from their native languages. This is true for young children growing up in a new country, far away from their home country. They often miss out on their grandparents’ storytelling, reading books or hearing their native language spoken.
Growing diversity
There is a need for more diverse books. There is a gap between New Zealand’s population diversity and the diversity in children’s literature. The 2023 Census shows that demographic diversity in New Zealand is growing fast. In the next 10 years, Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Samoan populations will grow by 20% to 58%.
The total number of Asian (Indian and Chinese) people in New Zealand and Australia is about 2.6 million and increasing. Immigration trends show that the number of Asian children will grow to 25% (Chinese, Indian). According to Professor Paul Spoonley, New Zealand’s population will reach six million in 2030.
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Indians form the third largest ethnic group in New Zealand.
Why is diversity in books so important? Why now?
Diverse children’s books are under-represented in libraries, schools and bookstores in New Zealand. There are very few Indian-language children’s books currently. Librarians, teachers and parents are requesting more diverse books, to resonate with the backgrounds of New Zealand’s new residents.
Connecting Heritage and Culture
Children need to connect with their heritage, culture and identity.
This can help foster an inclusive environment, where all children feel seen and valued.
The representation of diversity in children’s literature not only benefits minority groups but also enriches the cultural understanding of all readers.
Storybooks can be mirrors and windows to new worlds.
Books provide a sense of continuity and connection for children who may be experiencing feelings of homesickness loneliness or boredom. Seeing familiar landscapes, traditions and places reflected in the pages of a book can help children feel a sense of belonging.
In addition to supporting children’s social and emotional well-being, books also offer benefits for language development. For children who are learning a new language, reading stories in both their native tongue and in English can enhance their language skills.
Children can absorb good values, habits and positive characteristics of their heroes in a story and can identify with them. In reading multi-lingual books, children gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
Asha, the Auto Driver
It is with all these points in mind, that I chose to write about Asha.
This book celebrates Asha, the female protagonist, who is from an underprivileged community and works hard to make a living in the male-dominated occupation of auto-driving.
Many South Asian countries have autos or tuk-tuks as a mode of transportation and taxi services. Asha also breaks gender barriers and represents the ‘hope’ for change that she would like to see in her society.
In a landscape where diverse representation in children’s literature is still lacking, this book fills a crucial gap. Children everywhere deserve to see characters who look like them or have names like them in the books they read. By featuring a range of characters, “Asha the Auto-Driver” the picture book offers a much-needed representation and visibility to children who feel underrepresented in books.
The illustrations are stunning and offer readers a glimpse of iconic locations in a bustling city – Chennai. Asha takes passengers to the beach, cricket and football matches, dance class etc. All along she weaves strings of sweet-smelling Jasmine flowers that make her auto fragrant. This is her hobby and her side hustle too. She gives/sells Jasmine strings to people while she waits for passengers.
Literature Festival Award
Asha won an Award at the Atta Galatta Bangalore Literature Festival Awards from a huge range of books, in the Children’s Book – pictures category.
Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, this captivating tale takes readers to different parts of a metro city. It is a relatable narrative for children aged three years and older.
Asha’s auto is colourful and filled with the scent of flowers. This attention to detail and the portrayal of everyday life adds depth and authenticity to Asha’s character, making her endearing to readers of all ages and across nations.
Asha-the-Auto-driver is available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Bengali.
It is a real joy to see children reading my book and enjoying it.
A book a day keeps devices away.
A diverse book a day helps open minds.
Media Reviews
The Hindu: “Children’s book ‘Asha the Auto-Driver’ is an ode to Chennai’s hardworking women.”
Hindustan Times: “A picture book for children that adults also love!”
The Book Review: “An endearing picture book for three plus who will see and learn many interesting things as they ride with Asha.”
Mylapore Times: “A book with warmth and charm that captures the essence of Chennai.”
Author Aruna Shekar has also won another award from a large children’s publisher, Katha, India, in their International Search for Excellence contest. This is for a story about a dog from Dehradun and a cat from Calicut that become close friends.
Her children’s books are donated to charities in India, especially to special schools for orphan and poor children. These schools cannot afford to buy books or have a library. She also gifts her books to Kiwi Christmas Books – for kids in need in New Zealand.
About Dr Aruna Shekar
An experienced educator, Dr Aruna Shekar facilitates creative and critical thinking sessions and coaches on several subjects including Product Innovation, Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship, and Business Sustainability. She conducts online sessions for groups of learners across the world. As a leader within PDMA (Product Development & Management Association, www.pdma-nz.org) she established the New Zealand Chapter in 2007 with a colleague and led it for many years. She has coordinated projects with the industry for many years in Product Innovation.
Dr Shekar was a Senior Lecturer for almost 30 years at the Auckland Campus of Massey University and has worked in many countries, bringing a diverse, international perspective to her work.
She has won many awards (Gold medal, ‘Best Teacher’, and Project Team Prizes), and has to her credit more than 40 publications in reputed journals and several Keynote presentations at International Conferences. She has supervised many undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Dr Shekar earned her Doctorate (PhD) in Product Innovation (from Massey University) and gained Certification as a New Product Professional by PDMA-USA. She conducts Workshops on Design Thinking & Innovation. She is an Innovator-in-Residence at the E-Centre. She is a Foundation Board member of the Product Development & Management Association in New Zealand. She lives in Auckland with her husband Dr Arcot Somashekar and her Bengal Cat. Their daughter Priyanka now lives in the USA.
Dr Aruna Shekar has written many other books details of which can be seen at most public libraries in New Zealand and http://ArunaShekar.com
Website: www.arunashekar.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aruna-shekar-9482349/
