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Nizrana Farook - The lady behind The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

17 Feb 2020

The Girl Who Stole an Elephant is a book for children aged eight and above, published in the UK last month. It became a bestseller within that month itself, peaking at number six in the UK in children’s and young adult (YA) fiction. The Girl Who Stole an Elephant is the first book written by Nizrana Farook and it became Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Month on its release in January 2020. This book is very special to us as its author Nizrana is from Sri Lanka, and she says that her book is set in a land heavily inspired by Sri Lanka. Nizrana Farook was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the beautiful landscapes of her home country find their way into the stories she writes. She has a master’s degree in writing for young people, and lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and two daughters. The Sunday Morning Little Stars had the opportunity to speak to her, and below are a few excerpts of her conversation with us.   What inspired you to write for young people? It came from revisiting children’s books when I had my own children. It was like going back to old friends and made me remember how much I loved those books as a child. I hold on to that thought when I write.   Is it more challenging than writing for adults? I think so! Many adults will persevere with a book that doesn’t grab them immediately. Children tend not to do that, so they’re a much tougher audience in that sense. In your opinion, what can a child do to make reading a habit? Read a variety of books so that you find the kind of books that you enjoy. Some people like to read books with lots of pictures, some with only text, some like thin books that you can finish very quickly, while others like huge doorstoppers that take weeks to finish. Every one of those is a valid choice. Read the books that you want to read and it’ll be an enjoyable habit rather than a chore.  What was the inspiration behind The Girl Who Stole an Elephant? Did you love elephants as a child growing up in Sri Lanka? I started writing The Girl Who Stole an Elephant one winter, so it was an escape to a world of warmth and colour during those grey, dreary days. The elephant didn’t have a massive role initially; he was there, but not in the kind of way he came to be centred in the story. He’s become a star of the story now as he’s in the title and the cover too. I went to a bookshop in the Midlands where there was a massive painting of him in the window.  Is this book available in Sri Lanka? If so, where can we find it? As far as I know, the print book isn’t currently available in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan readers can order a copy from Amazon UK, or Book Depository or Blackwells, both of which have free delivery to Sri Lanka. Penguin India has bought the subcontinent rights, and once they publish, their version should be available in Sri Lanka. Ä When will your next children’s book come out? My next book will be out in January 2021. It’s a book set in the same world but with different characters.   What’s the best thing about being a writer? Getting to meet the readers! I’ve had children tell me at signings and school visits how much they enjoyed my book, and that’s lovely. Also one of the definite perks is that you get sent free books! Publishers send them to you so that if you read and like the book, you’ll say something nice about it.   From Waterstones’ introduction Introducing a heroine as loveable, feisty, and roguish as Robin Hood, Sri Lankanraised author Nizrana Farook’s debut is children’s fiction at its finest. On the run from the royal palace, jewel thief and rebel Chaya – along with an intrepid gang and a purloined elephant – is driven headlong into the depths of the jungle where she must face up to revolutionary forces, untold dangers, and her own misdemeanours in a battle for survival. Pitching readers into the heart of a vibrantly evoked landscape that lives and breathes from the page, The Girl Who Stole an Elephant is an adventure full of heart and courage from a dazzling new voice. The Telegraph Farook does not beat around the bush. “Chaya looked at the bronze spear pointing at her neck,” reads the novel’s first sentence – and in the ensuing 48 chapters, the pace rarely slackens. But she allows every character time to unravel, resulting in a deceptively dense adventure that will appeal to readers well into their teens .   Daily Mail, UK  Richly atmospheric, full of colour and passion, Farook is a writer to watch  

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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


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