Interview : Katie Bagli

She is an instant hit in the Mumbai school and college circuit.   Be it nature walks, talks or children books on animals, Katie Bagli is everyone's  first choice. Kahani Takbak quizzed the nature loving author about her new release,   The Less Known Lovables (Shree Books).

1                                    1.Tell us a bit about your journey as a writer.

I began writing about 7 years ago.  It just happened.  I completed some correspondence courses in Entomology, Biodiversity and Botany with BNHS.  These courses involved quite a few field trips where I got excited seeing creatures in the wild.  Their behavior fascinated me and inspired me into writing. 

2    Did you start your career as an author or an illustrator?

I definitely began as a writer, the illustrating was purely incidental.

3  Your love for nature is omnipresent in all your books. Do your childhood memories have anything to do with it?

Everyone in my family was in awe of nature, especially my mother who loved pottering about with plants.

4     How difficult is it to illustrate and write for a book?

The writing and illustrating comes directly from the heart and is a passion.  I consider it as most fulfilling and enjoyable.  Certainly not tedious or difficult

5 This book has a mix of lesser loved creatures from India and abroad. How did you go about choosing the final list of creatures featured in this book?

  I selected those creatures that fascinated me.  There are many more, but one cannot go on and on.

                                               

6.How has your earlier profession as a teacher aided your current profession as an author? Did     you teach science in school?

Yes, I taught Science – not in a school but privately, for 30 odd years – but writing about nature for children have nothing to do with that background, it is simply indulging in what makes me happy.

7. From places, people to creatures, a lot of research has gone into writing this book.   How did you go about gathering the information?

  Magazines such as Sanctuary Asia and Saevus, books such as The Book of Indian Birds by Salim Ali and The Book of Indian Mammals by S. H. Prater and a general browsing of the internet.

8. Which do you choose to share info about the lesser known creatures as a fiction book instead of a nonfiction format?

Fiction woven around true facts, I feel, always makes it more interesting for children, also anthropomorphizing the wild creatures makes the child more connected.

 9. You are a big hit in the school and college circuit. Which quality in you appeals to the children that teachers love to keep inviting you?

  Difficult to answer this one...  Perhaps it is my love for children and interacting with them.

10. Do you think books like yours can bring about a change in perception and help in conservation of endangered species?

It is my aim to sensitize the young towards nature and make them aware of conservation.  So many creatures are on the brink of extinction.  I do hope my books help.

(PS: This article has been written especially for the February, 2017 issue of Kahani Takbak, a newsletter for aspiring, newbie and established children authors. To subscribe to the free monthly newsletter, visit www.kahanitakbak.com)


To Buy Katie's   The Less liked Lovables click here
                          The less Known Lovables click here