Wednesday 14 May saw the launch of a new book by celebrated children’s author Serena Patel, who delivered a heartfelt message to parents about the power of reading:
“Reading is so, so important – it can change lives and open up worlds for our children!”
Her latest release, Pia’s Pet Club: Puppy Problem, is a funny and heart-warming tale about a determined young girl eager to prove she’s responsible enough for a pet. But when she agrees to help her friend train a mischievous puppy, she soon learns the task is anything but easy. As chaos unfolds, Pia decides the solution is to start her very own pet club.
The Power of Reading for Children
While her books are full of humour and heart, Serena is clear about their deeper impact on young readers: “It is so powerful for children to see themselves in books. It’s empowering and validating,” she said.
“It’s also important for children to see someone different from them as the hero – and to learn from other people’s experiences.
“Books as mirrors and windows are brilliant tools for empathy and learning, as well as being joyful and wonderful to read.”
Based in Walsall in the West Midlands, Serena is of mixed Indian heritage – Gujarati and Punjabi – which she proudly weaves into her storytelling.
“In my books, food is incredibly important. In our culture, it’s how we show care, love and affection – ‘Let’s make a big meal, let’s sit down and eat together.’
“Our celebrations are also central – I’ve included weddings and baby showers in my stories. Family is at the heart of South Asian culture.”
Championing Representation Through Stories
A key motivation behind Serena’s writing is her belief that all children deserve to feel seen in the stories they read. She also hopes her work helps young readers learn about other cultures, understand differences, and appreciate the values of respect and responsibility.
A Writer’s Journey
Serena shared her personal journey into authorship: “I’ve always had a ‘busy head’ – stories constantly going on in my mind. Storytelling helped me process the world.
“But I never really saw myself as an author. It didn’t feel like something people like me did. Back then, we didn’t have author visits in school, and I never saw any South Asian authors – certainly not from the Midlands – so I didn’t think it was possible.”
That changed once she became a parent.
“When I started buying books for my children, I noticed the lack of representation. I wanted to create something for them – characters they could connect with. That’s what set me off on this journey.”
From Page to Screen
Her breakout series, Anisha, Accidental Detective, has become a hit with readers and critics
alike, winning both the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award for Fiction and The Week Junior Book Award for Young Fiction. The books follow Anisha Mistry, a science-loving girl who solves mysteries within her lively British Indian family.
And now, the adventures of Anisha are being adapted for television.
“I have two more books coming next year – and Anisha is being developed for TV. The sky’s the limit!”
Using Humour to Open Minds
Serena’s light-hearted writing style is a big part of her success. She believes humour is a powerful way to engage young readers – and explore deeper topics too.
“Humour is so important – especially in children’s books. Funny stories are often what get kids into reading.
“It’s also a way to talk about serious subjects in a light-hearted way. I used humour to navigate growing up and feeling like I didn’t fit in.
“And I use it to explore my culture too – because that’s just how I do it best.”
Writing With Purpose – and Perspective
When asked about the responsibility of representing South Asian culture, Serena reflected honestly: “At first, I felt a lot of pressure. There weren’t many South Asian characters on book covers, and I felt like I had to represent everyone.
“But I’ve learned you can’t do that – everyone’s experience is different. I can only tell the story I know, and I try to do that as honestly and as well as I can.”
Serena left readers of Asian Standard with a final thought: “If you have a child who says they don’t like reading, they probably just haven’t found the right book yet.
“Funny books are always a great place to start!
