Sandhya Parappukkaran

I writes stories which are inspired by my multicultural experience. Scrumptious food and glimpses of nature from my Kerala Indian heritage feature heavily when I sit down to write. I reside in Brisbane with my husband, three children and a backyard brimming with mango trees, curry leaves, and green chillies.

My debut picture book, The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name, illustrated by Michelle Pereira and published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing (Imprint: Bright Light), will be released in August 2021.

My second picture book, Amma’s Saree, will be published in April 2022.

I believe exploring and owning your cultural identity cultivates happy wholistic people who are capable of mutual respect, empathy, and connectedness in this diverse world we live in.

I also believe in visiting your local library at least once a week. 

I am a writer today, because I am a reader. And, I am reader because of public libraries. 

Growing up, despite never being able to buy loads of books, I read widely. I was the child who maxed out her library card every week and was happy with her nose in a book and head full of adventures in far away lands.

The benefits of reading for pleasure are tremendous! So I do hope you’ll find your local library and get yourself a library card!

Sandhya x