My debut children’s book, The Princess and the Crow, is set in the magnetic backdrop of a tropical island in the midst of a blue lagoon. A beautiful Princess lives on the island with her friends, the flowers and the birds. One day, a crow falls from the sky and lands on her lap. As the story unfolds, the real identity of the crow is revealed. Bursting with charm and magic, the book is illustrated and published by Austin Macauley Publishers London. Categorized as fiction, it’s my first successful effort to creative writing and to putting on script my hidden talent of storytelling.
Wakashio is my second story book for kids. Categorized as fiction, the story is based on the real wreck of a Japanese oil tanker, MV Wakashio, on the coral reefs of Mauritius. The tale is narrated by two Mauritian siblings, Angela and Oshin. With 15 amazing and colorful illustrations.
SURPRISE!! My third story book is a novel sequence. Another adventure of our favorite characters Angela and Oshin, illustrated with 15 fascinating images for the joy of our young audience. It is under print and will be released shortly.
After the pandemic and subsequent confinements , the London Book Fair was back in full swing this Spring from 18 to 20 April 2023. I visited the Fair as Author, having published my illustrated children’s book’ The Princess and the Crow’ in 2019 with Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd. I felt on top of the world among the wonderful writers, publishers, illustrators and more, networking and exchanging ideas about the future of books. In conversation with the Publishers Association, Mayor of London #SadiqKhan said – culture is in the DNA of London. It’s the glue that binds our city together. Sharing a few photos with you and wishing to be here with you in March 2024.
Anita Bacha
Greetings from London and thank you for your visit.
With Editor Joshua of Austin Macauley Publishers teamFirst day at London Book Fair 23
Once there was a little boy who lived with his poor, widowed mother in a far away village.
His name was Hari. During school holidays he had no friend with whom to play. His mother was a loving woman and played with him when she was not busy with her household chores. One day, however, she fell ill and Hari became very lonely. His mother consoled him and told him to go out and play with Krishna.
‘Who is Krishna?’ Hari asked his mother.
‘Krishna is the friend of all!’
Hari rushed out eagerly calling ‘Krishna! Krishna!’
‘Hello!’ said a cow herd boy coming from behind a tree ‘why are you calling my name?’
“Let’s play!’ Hari uttered with joy.
They played together during the school holidays.
Back to school, Hari told the school master about his new friend, Krishna. The school master listened to his story but did not believe a word of it.
Soon it was the birthday of the school master. Hari became very sad; he had no money to buy him a birthday present. His mother then reminded him of his friend Krishna.
‘Go and talk to your friend Krishna’ she told Hari, ‘he will surely help you!’
Hari did as he was told and Krishna gave him a pot of butter milk.
‘Here! This is a birthday present for your school master!’
Unfortunately, the school master was not happy with the present. He scorned at it and asked his servant to throw the milk curd away. The servant complied but amazingly, the pot was filled with milk curd again. After several attempts to empty the pot, he ran to the school master to tell him about the incredible happening.
‘What!’ the school master exclaimed ‘it must be a magic pot!’ He immediately summoned Hari and asked him about the source of the pot.
When Hari replied that his friend Krishna gave it to him, the school master asked him to take him to Krishna immediately.
‘I want to see your friend!’ he exclaimed.
The school master followed Hari to the place where he met Krishna. At the top of his voice, Hari called for his friend but Krishna did not appear. Then from behind a tree, they heard another voice:
‘Why are you calling me Hari ?’
Hari recognized the voice of his friend Krishna. He replied:
‘My school master wants to see you.’
‘The school master cannot see me, Hari because no one can see me unless he believes in me!’ said the voice gently but firmly.
The school master was bowled over. He returned to the school with his tail between his legs.
Anita Bacha
This short story is about faith and belief, my dear friends. I first heard it when I was a kid and,from my mom, a great devotee of the Indian God Lord Krishna. As a matter of fact, HARI is another name of Lord KRISHNA but my mom was very smart at story telling. Only later in life I found out her ingenuity in teaching me the use of words.
Anita Bacha
Image source Pinterest, short story cc. Anita Bacha
Anita Bacha 