Manchester Metropolitan University

Lecturer and student collaborate on tropical adventure children’s book

A Manchester Metropolitan student and lecturer have collaborated on an award-winning children’s book series.

Student Navya Raju collaborated with animation lecturer Satish Shewhorak and his wife Gabrielle on the third book of Rani Reports series, which is the first of the books to be set in Mauritius, a rare setting in the world of children’s literature. 

Rani Reports on the Tropical Island is the third book in a series lauded by Times Children’s Book of the Year where schoolgirl reporter, Rani Ramgoolam, solves an exciting series of mysteries.

Dr Shewhorak said: “My family are from Mauritius and it’s somewhere that we visit every few years. There is a rich vein of storytelling that we wanted to bring to a modern audience and also to people of mixed nationalities, like our daughter.

“There’s also a long and varied history of colonialism and when a nation has been occupied for so long, there are many stories that originate from that.

“Mauritius can be known as a luxury holiday destination, but we wanted to explore the really interesting history behind it. Many kids may have been there on holiday, but this book tells a story beyond the fancy hotels and beach resorts.”

Gabrielle Kent said: “South Asian protagonists are still hugely underrepresented in children’s literature, despite South Asians being the biggest minority group in Britain. It’s important for children to see themselves in books but I also think it is important for white children to read books with characters who don’t look like them and about families that are different from theirs.”

The series is illustrated by MA Creative Advertising student Navya Raju, who is graduating this year from Manchester Met’s Business School. Oneworld publishing reached out to her after seeing her portfolio on her website. Raju notes the importance of business knowledge to freelance creatives. 

She said: “The course gave me structure, especially on the business side. I’ve understood how to market myself in the publishing space. As an illustrator, or any creative who is a freelancer, you need a bit of business acumen to get into the freelancing; how to network and put yourself out there.“ When the publisher sent the Rani Reports manuscript, I really enjoyed it. I like comics like Tintin and mystery stories. It was also in a newspaper format, so I could really see a vision with this book. I’m from India so I’m a little familiar with Mauritian culture. I’ve known people from there, but I did a lot more research for the illustrations.“ 

Raju graduates this week with her MA in Creative Advertising. Rani Reports on the Tropical Island was published this July by Oneworld Publications.

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