For readers of all ages, Hemangini Dutt Majumder excels in suspense, mystery, and humor. She infuses her novels with a love of animals and an appreciation of their allure, having grown up surrounded by a zoo of pets. Hemangini, who is currently residing in Singapore, is a polyglot who enhances her storytelling with her command of other languages.

The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the author on her new book The Mystery of the Many, Many Missing Things. Excerpts..

What is the biggest challenge about writing for children?

Hemangini Dutt Majumder- The biggest challenge in writing for children is understanding that, although their worldview may differ from adults, they’re quick to detect condescending attempts to “dumb down” concepts. In my experience, children respond best when treated as equals with valid perspectives. To challenge them to learn and show that they are respected (even as the youngest readers), it’s crucial to strike the right tone and language.

What is the book all about?

Hemangini Dutt Majumder- In this humorous tale, a young detective-in-the-making sets out to solve the mystery of curiously disappearing items from her home. Joined by her mischievous baby brother and charming cocker spaniel sidekicks, the unlikely gang of detectives embarks on a fun-filled adventure to uncover the culprit. Along the way, they learn a valuable lesson: parents, despite their caregiving roles, are human too and sometimes need empathy and care from their children.

Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes, once said, “People who are nostalgic about childhood were never children”. This quote resonates because even the youngest of children do often encounter and navigate complex issues in their lives. Sometimes their unique perspective and problem-solving approach can be superior to ours. Yet adults tend to underestimate their ability to grasp these nuances.

We live in the world of technology. How do you think that has impacted the reading habits of young kids?

Hemangini Dutt Majumder- It can be tempting to choose instant gratification in the form of content available on phones and devices. However, for younger children, developing essential reading skills must be the top priority.

That said, I think it is important to befriend technology instead of demonizing it. There must be a certain amount of gratitude for the times we live in. Today a child can learn not just from a single book but also ask a thousand related questions (as they often do) and find answers easily through the internet almost instantly. As they get a little older, it is considerably easier to find and share views with communities of people with common interests (fellow bibliophiles for example). Algorithms can even suggest books tailored to a child’s interests and help them discover new authors and genres.

What tips will you give to parents so that they can make their kids more interested in reading books?

Hemangini Dutt Majumder- I believe the most effective way to encourage kids to read is to lead by example: read yourself and make books readily available at home. Children often resist overt attempts to get them to read, but they’re more likely to develop an interest when they see their parents or older siblings enjoying it. It’s also essential to give them the freedom to choose their genres and authors, rather than imposing your preferences. This approach helps them view reading as a personal experience, rather than yet another task assigned to them.

Will you be making a sequel of this story?

Hemangini Dutt Majumder- While my next children’s book may not be a direct sequel, I’m excited to develop new stories for a similar audience that are quirky, and humorous and encourage children to cultivate a strong sense of identity and personal values.

What will be your next book? Have you decided on the topic?

Hemangini Dutt Majumder- While I plan to return to children’s fiction in the future and have some thoughts on this, my next project takes a darker turn. My next book is a murder mystery set in present-day Kolkata and Chandannagar called ‘The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles’.