The theme of Rashmi Sirdeshpande’s time as BookTrust’s Writer in Residence was: “Using factual books to fascinate young readers” and she encouraged children and grown-ups to discover mind-enriching facts together.
During her residency, Sirdeshpande talked about the magic of curiosity and wonder, and how this can be cultivated in children through sharing non-fiction books. She explored how factual books can open children’s eyes, make them laugh, make them think, spark interesting conversations with others, and help turn empathy into action. Her message for families was choosing to read non-fiction together is a powerful way to bond, to find common interests and to have fun.
About Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Rashmi Sirdeshpande is the author of award-winning children’s books including Never Show a T‑Rex a Book (illustrated by Diane Ewen), Dadaji’s Paintbrush (illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane), and Good News: Why The World is Not as Bad as You Think (illustrated by Adam Hayes). A former World Book Day author, she has won a number of awards, including the Diverse Book Awards and the Society of Authors Queen’s Knickers Award, which celebrates “outstanding” picture books. Her factual book Good News was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards, Best Book with Facts. Having been diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult, she is an advocate for representing neurodivergent perspectives in children’s literature.
As a creator of both children’s picture books for pre-schoolers, and factual books for primary school age children, Rashmi Sirdeshpande has experience in capturing the imagination and interest of a broad range of young readers. Her picture books promote creativity and lateral thinking, while her non-fiction titles encourage children to self-reflect, explore their personal interests, and stay curious about the world around them.
What Rashmi Sirdeshpande said:
“As BookTrust’s new Writer in Residence, I’d love to get children and grown-ups reading more factual books together. I want to see those shared moments of reading spark conversations and awaken inner storytellers.
I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD aged 39. Looking back, I see why factual books were always so perfect for me as a child. I could follow my areas of intense interests down the deepest rabbit holes. But I believe factual books are truly for everyone – neurotypical readers, too – because we’re all curious about the world. I want people to see that these books can make reading accessible and irresistible.
I love seeing children’s eyes light up when they discover a fascinating fact, and you can see they’re bursting to share it with someone. Today, in this golden age of children’s factual books, there is so much richness and variety.
If you find the right book, it brings children (and grown-ups) together in a shared ‘wow’ moment that can really stay with them. I’ve seen it. It sets children on an amazing path of loving books and loving learning.”
Watch Rashmi Sirdeshpande’s Virtual Author Event
