Words Of Gratitude From Powerhouse Women In Children’s Literature
It isn’t very often that we stop and check in with our lives to give thanks and appreciate everything that is happening around us. Luckily today is World Gratitude Day, the one day where we should pause and give voice for all the grateful things in our life.
Team Get Litt is extremely grateful to all the little readers and parents out there, who get lost in our library on a regular basis. We love our readers and strive to be better and get newer, more exciting books for all to enjoy. We’re also very grateful to all the people involved in Indian children’s literature – the authors, the illustrators, the teachers and the publishers; all of whom are doing an amazing job at curating content that’s interesting and most importantly fun for children.
As part of showing gratitude, we decided to reach out to some powerhouse names in the field of Indian children’s literature and find out what they are thankful for this gratitude day. Here is what they had to say.
Vaishali Shroff
Author of The Adventures of Padma and a Blue Dinosaur, Ari, Raindrops and The Missing Bat.
Team Get Litt: What are you most grateful for at this very moment?
Vaishali: At this very moment, I’m most grateful for all the love my books and I are getting from people – it’s an unparalleled feeling to know that what you are creating is bringing joy in so many children’s lives!
TGL: Who are you truly grateful for having in your life and why?
Vaishali: I’m truly grateful for having Aatish, my husband, in my life. Without him, it would have been quite a challenge to pursue my love for writing, which can be quite demanding with chores, commitments, and children!
Deepa Balsavar
Author of Lonely King and Queen
Team Get Litt: What are you most grateful for at this very moment?
Deepa: At this very moment I am grateful for the tree before me, the cat by my side and the book on my lap.
TGL: Who are you truly grateful for having in your life and why?
Deepa: I am grateful to Hasina my beloved dog, who taught me before she died that every living creature (including every human being) has a right to life, dignity and the expression of their feelings.
Richa Jha
Author of Boo!, Thatha at school, Vee Loved Garlic, The Susu Pals and she is a Publisher for Pickle Yolk Books
Team Get Litt: What are you most grateful for at this very moment?
Richa: My daughter’s school library that gives me an unending supply of the absolute best-reads in contemporary international children’s and young adult titles.
TGL: Who are you truly grateful for having in your life and why?
Richa: Rubina, my domestic aide. I can’t think of surviving a day’s madness and chaos on my professional work front if she were not there to ensure my household’s smooth sailing.
Chatura Rao
Author of Gone Grandma, Nabiya, Meanwhile Upriver, Growing Up in Pandupur and Arnie The Chawl Of Colour.
Team Get Litt: What are you most grateful for at this very moment?
Chatura: I’m grateful to be able to walk and run the distances I can. I like being healthy!
TGL: Who are you truly grateful for having in your life and why?
Chatura: I’m grateful for my daughters. We like to hang out together, chatting, eating, and exchanging news and views!
Meenu Thomas
Author of Fakruddin’s fridge
TGL: What are you most grateful for at this very moment?
Meenu: I am extremely grateful that my parents, friends and their families are safe back home in Kerala with the incessant flood last month. I am also humbled by the way the fisherfolk, the armed forces and the rest of Kerala helped and supported each other in the course of this turmoil.
TGL: Who are you truly grateful for having in your life and why?
Meenu: I am grateful to have found a bunch of new friends at my MBA college. We share a great camaraderie. We help each other manage our studies while juggling full-time jobs, we whine together about the tests and assignments and motivate each other to keep chasing the silver lining.
There you have it, we all have something to be grateful for and we hope this post inspires you to take a moment and ask yourself the questions we posed above. There may not be a science behind it but have you noticed that the more grateful you are, the more blissful and uplifted you feel? This state of being is absolutely delightful, which is why we’re going to try being more grateful as often as possible!
Happy World Gratitude Day!