Bio:

Sandhya Parappukkaran left her job as a Food Technologist so she could put her feet up and read. Then she rediscovered her passion for children’s books. She writes stories which are inspired by her childhood experiences traversing different cultures and are steeped in themes of ‘embracing your cultural identity’. Scrumptious food and glimpses of nature inspired by her Kerala Indian heritage feature heavily when she sits down to write. Sandhya resides in Brisbane with her husband, three children and a backyard brimming with mango trees, curry leaves and green chillies.

Sandhya is published by the Bright Light Imprint of Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing. See here & here. 

Sandhya’s debut picture book, The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name, was illustrated by Michelle Pereira and won the 2022 Children’s Book Council of Australia New Illustrator Award. The US edition of The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name was reviewed by Kirkus Reviews and in the New York Times. Her second picture book, Amma’s Sari, was released on 30th March, 2022.

Sandhya, Michelle and Hello Bright Light books join forces a third time and have created a picture book that celebrates culture and connection through food – Stay For Dinner – to be released on the 17th of May, 2023. Pre-orders open here. 

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Hello!

Thank you for visiting my site!

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