Aditi W. Singh - Raising Diverse Stories

29/11/2025

Every story has the power to spark connection, reflection, and change. 🌍 In Episode 75, Aditi Wardhan Singh reminds us that our experiences, no matter how ordinary they may seem, can inspire others when we choose to share them.

26/11/2025

Writing your first book is exciting… and overwhelming. Many new writers focus on everything except what truly matters.

Here are 10 things to keep in mind so your story shines and actually connects with kids (and editors!).

Too many messages at once. Pick ONE clear theme a child can hold on to.

Forgetting the kid’s point of view. Many South Asian stories have the parents or grandparents driving the story, whereas it need to be the kids.

Overwriting. Picture books are a great way to showcase your heritage through imagery which illustrations provide.

Skipping page turns. Page turns are the magic. Build suspense, surprise, rhythm. Just like a Bollywood song.

No clear emotional arc. South Asian writers often go too much into food or culture, forgetting th character arc.

Writing like it's a novel. Keep language simple, rhythmic, and read-aloud friendly. Check grade level word usage.

Not explaining cultural references. Yes, your reader can Google things but it's your job to make your book an all in one experience.

Using multilingual words without a glossary.

Trying to hard to Westernize a story to traditional market - this is a pet peeve but I have the privilege since I'm publishing my own books and after 18 books I think our culture should be represented as is, vs as what another culture perceives it.

If you want more things that you should keep in mind when writing and marketing books, comment "writing" to get the link to tips and tricks.

24/11/2025

Gift ideas for such a hamper (ages 5 through 9) would be -

🎄A board game (list in bio)
🎄Puzzles
🎄Video game that creates strategy building mindset
🎄Tickets to an experience

How did you like the idea?

Comment below with what you add to your child's holiday hamper ...

RaisingWorldchildren.com

21/11/2025

I started editing Hindi English books before I ended up creating the whole curriculum. The journey of the bilingual books I created is an interesting study in how books have their own path and time to be born.

The fact is, my first bilingual book started 4 years ago. My brother said during a video call. "Why don't you write a book about idioms in Hindi? Kids can learn so many values from them.. " I thought , great idea!

I started working on that and multiple other book ideas...

That is when came to me to edit HER first book. It was serendipity coz I had been studying on how to write bilingual books at the time. What is important in translation and what to keep in mind for kids.

My book didn't finish. It never felt right.

Then I started another book which was meant to be in ENGLISH but there are SO many festive books that I thought, why not publish THAT one in multiple languages So the bilingual festive series was born...

MEanwhile I felt there was a HUGE GAP between bilingual books and alphabet books for kids learning SO I created KA KYAA KARE...

NOW back to the FIRST book I began.

I FINALLY last year week, after editing five Hindi English books and writing THE BASE bilingual booK, GOT inspired on how to finish the FIRST book of IDIOMS I had started for kids to teach them about Hindi Idioms tha we OFTEN use in daily conversation....

PHEW !!! THAT is backstory on books get birthed. THEY come when THEIR time is right too..

THEN come the Diwali, Holi books and now you will see three more Indian Festival themed Hindi English (and other language books) releasing...

Watch this space!

Have YOU worked on a book? Have you found it lacking? Give it time and space. It will shape up.

21/11/2025

18/11/2025

Thanksgiving for us, is NOT about the history of pilgrims (which is unquestionablely problematic).

It is also NOT just about the food.

💝It's about a multicultural tradition we accepted that was not our own, to celebrate the falling leaves, change of seasons and having true gratitude in our hearts for all we have, in terms of family, things and friendships.

💖It's about the kids learning to pitch in with the cleaning, cooking and setting the table. Understanding the value of a deal (financially) and creating littrle traditoons that grow more elaborate and silly every year. Instilling in them a love of celebration together, in EVERY aspect.

❤It's about the memories we create as we celebrate WHO we are now and who we are becoming and WHO we DO NOT ever what to become (this is where conversations about this horrific time in history come in)...

💘 It is about teaching the kids to understajd and EXPRESS their gratitude via words and actions.

So, when someone celebrates Thanksgiving, don't take it at face value of supporting the wrongs of yesterday. It is more about being hopeful about tomorrow and raising a generation that knows better and chooses better.

What is YOUR why this season?
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16/11/2025

Discover new books this holiday season.

DM to get this entire catalog sorted through various categories and ages.

In this list here you will find these amazing authors -

14/11/2025

Unwrap these delightful stories -
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews --

" We are connected on such a deep level that our experiences are so similar that in another person and their story, a short story, can bring so much emotion and be teleported there, experiencing their life. Within was very well done and clearly shows the love for others and also how sometimes we have to stand up for ourselves and make hard decisions. We have to set up boundaries, and if someone does not respect us, we owe them nothing.

Indian cultures and upbringing are integral to these stories and I loved reading their words and mannerisms – they took me home. Just like the synopsis says, these are stories I would share with a best friend or family over chai or coffee.

Some stories that I will never forget: the one about the mother and son having dinner and the father interrupting the meal, the one where two exs find each other in an elevator, and the one about a young girl going to kanjak. This last one reminded me of my own life in India eating puri, halwa and chole – those days visiting people’s houses and being pampered with my favorite food and some money were good days every year until I couldn’t do them anymore. I loved that food and hope to be able to get my kids to experience them. I need to get over the paralysis I feel – it is worth making.

I love these stories because they reminded me how, at the end of the day, we are fighting everyday to be who we are."

Review by book blogger Kirti from armed with a book.

Read full review and behind the scenes of this book here - https://armedwithabook.com/within-by-aditi-wardhan-singh/
...

13/11/2025

On World Kindness Day, diversify your library with a children's book that talks about Diwali, Christmas and Hanukkah and how we can all sparkle with kindness! Caleb, a new neighbor joins a festive-themed playdate. Will Riya and her friends be able to make Caleb feel welcome?

This beautiful book by Aditi Wardhan Singh is available for our readers in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and 17 other countries that are on our shipping list! Click below to find the book in our shop.

https://www.tokabox.com/products/sparkles-of-joy

Photo credit: Aditi Wardhan Singh and RWC - Diverse Books & Views!