Based in New Delhi, writer Mamta Nainy has authored more than thirty children’s books, several of which have received acclaim and accolades on a national and worldwide scale. Inspired by children’s unbridled creativity, Mamta enjoys traveling but is too indolent to do so, so she primarily reads.

The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the writer on his new book This Is How I See it. Excerpts..

What was the thought behind writing This Is How I See It?

Mamta Nainy- The inspiration for This Is How I See It stemmed from the idea that each of us perceives the world in our unique way. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of personhood, and I wanted to tell a story about a boy who, due to his color deficiency, sees the world in his way—celebrating how our perspectives can be beautifully different. This theme felt especially fitting for children, who are naturally open and accepting of others. I wanted to write a story that nurtures this openness by addressing color vision deficiency, not only as a condition but as a metaphor for embracing our ways of seeing and understanding.

You have authored over 30 books for children. How has the writing style changed for books for children?

Mamta Nainy-I think writing for children demands of me is a balanced way of seeing—to not shy away from taking an honest look at the world with all its complexities, but also offer readers glimpses of what is worthy of our attention, awe, and love. It’s about showing that even during difficult things, there can be hope and kindness. I also feel that one of the most challenging aspects of writing for children is knowing that what you create can have a real impact on their sense of identity and on their sense of being and becoming. So, it’s essential to write honestly into the heart of reality but to do so with compassion, warmth, and hope.

What is the story of this book?

Mamta Nainy- The story follows a boy, Venu, who finds endless artistic inspiration around him. Whenever he sees colors, they swirl inside his body, jump up and down in his mind, flutter in his heart, and then, through his brush, flow onto sheets of paper. But people around him find his art baffling and often say he has all the colors wrong. No one can quite see what he sees—until he meets a new friend who does . . .

Often, children—just like the rest of us—can feel they don’t quite fit in, that something about them might be ‘wrong’ simply because it’s different. This story hopes to reassure them that there’s strength and beauty in their uniqueness. By following Venu’s journey with color vision deficiency, I hope young readers will learn not only about this condition but also feel encouraged to appreciate and accept differences—both within themselves and in others.

In this digital age, how can one motivate a kid to read a book?

Mamta Nainy-Whenever I visit schools, I make a point of asking children what they like to read, and I’m always struck by how diverse their answers are. Every child is different, with unique interests, and I believe there’s a book for every child because whatever they’re interested in, there will be books about that—and those are the books that will make them readers.

We naturally gravitate toward activities we genuinely enjoy. Without that internal motivation, we may learn to do something, but the moment it’s no longer required, we stop. I’ve seen this with children who are introduced to reading as something they have to do because it’s ‘good for them.’ Children are often resistant to such approaches; reading should be something they enjoy. For that to happen, it’s important to pay attention to what the child wants to read, even if we, as adults, don’t fully see the value in it. Sharing their excitement is essential because it will lead them to other books and authors. Dismissing their choices, on the other hand, can crush their identities as readers and put an end to their reading journey altogether. By all means, recommend books, but avoid dismissing their choices. The freedom to read what genuinely interests them is a vital part of becoming a lifelong reader. And, of course, ensuring they have access to a variety of books is key so that they can find something they’re excited to read.

The book boasts vibrant colors and great illustrations. Do you think this helps in catching the attention of the kids in recent times?

Mamta Nainy-The visual language of the book is indeed the first layer that young readers ‘read’, often before even engaging with the text. For children, the appeal of a book is very much tied to its visuals—colors, shapes, and unique styles—and so, for picture books, which rely heavily on visual storytelling, engaging illustrations are critical. In this book, we aimed for the illustrations to do two important things: firstly, to make the book visually delightful and captivating. This helps draw young readers in and keep their interest.

The second goal, which was more challenging, was to invite the young readers directly into the boy’s experience, to allow them to see the world through his eyes. To achieve this, we used a color palette specifically chosen to reflect the way a child with color vision deficiency might see the world. This approach makes the visual experience both unique and immersive. We’re incredibly lucky to have Mehnaaz, a talented illustrator, whose brilliant illustrations truly brought the story to life and made this layered visual experience possible. Her work ensures that the book is not only beautiful but also deeply resonant with children’s perspectives.

Your story deals with color vision deficiency. Do you want to educate kids about this issue so that they can deal with it easily? Or is this a way of sending a message to the elders?

Mamta Nainy-I believe this book is for everyone who may struggle to express themselves or who perceives the world a bit differently. Yes, it’s a story about a boy with color vision deficiency, but it’s also about self-expression through art, friendship, and discovering one’s unique strengths. I hope the book sparks conversations about color vision deficiency, but at its heart, it’s a story that reminds children of the vast diversity in the world and that everyone experiences it in their own unique way.

What will be your next book on?

Mamta Nainy-I am currently working on a few picture books.