In conversation with Ayesha Kidwai Khan
Interviewer: Congratulations on the release of your book Ode to the Last Tree. What inspired you to write this story?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: My mother always encouraged me to write a book or a novel. I have seen her single-handedly care for stray animals, and that inspired me immensely as a writer.
Interviewer: Environmental themes play a strong role in your book. Why do you think it is important to introduce these issues to children?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: When children are introduced to caring for nature from an early age—feeding birds or looking after plants—it becomes etched in their memories. My husband has also played a pivotal role in this. We have a small terrace garden and try to feed birds daily so that our son learns the value of empathy and kindness.
Interviewer: Your stories beautifully blend science and imagination. How do you strike a balance between education and storytelling?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: My last book was published in February 2023, and I worked very hard to complete this one. It feels like a dream come true. My mother and my husband have always encouraged me to keep writing. As a writer, support from family means a lot.
Interviewer: Many of your characters face challenges and hardships. Do you have a favorite character or story in the book?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: All the stories are close to my heart. Writing longer ones requires more effort. However, the characters of Sarah, Dan, and Kaalu are my favorites.
Interviewer: You explore themes like climate change, animal rights, and environmental responsibility. What message do you hope young readers take away?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: These themes need urgent attention. Our environment is facing many adverse effects due to human activities such as pollution, mining, and deforestation. Young readers will find these stories simple and easy to understand. Even if one child finds them useful, I believe my mission of creating awareness will be achieved. There are small solutions to big problems—if we introspect.
Interviewer: Some stories venture into outer space and unknown worlds. What inspired these imaginative settings?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: My previous book included many such stories. Venturing into the unknown has its own thrill. Adventure stories are always exciting to write and read.
Interviewer: As someone with a background in science and literature, how has your education influenced your writing style?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: From early childhood, my parents encouraged me to read all kinds of books and magazines beyond school textbooks. This introduced me to a new world of adventure and entertainment. Reading Physics, Chemistry, along with Chacha Chaudhary and Reader’s Digest, gave me both fun and academic knowledge.
Interviewer: You have experience teaching science to children. Did that shape how you approach storytelling for young readers?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: Developing a scientific temperament is essential today. Our present generation should appreciate the wonders of science and technology. Through stories, children can understand concepts faster and in a more engaging way.
Interviewer: Who are your biggest literary influences, and how have they impacted your work?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: Writers like Sir William Shakespeare and P. B. Shelley have influenced entire generations. Charles Dickens and Mark Twain have been my favorite authors. The works of Munshi Premchand and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore have deeply influenced me as a reader.
Interviewer: Congratulations again on your book. Are you on social media? How can readers connect with you?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: Thank you. I use social media sparingly, but I am available on Facebook. My young readers can connect with me there. Happy reading!
Interviewer: Where can readers buy your book Ode to the Last Tree?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: The book will be available on Amazon, Kindle, and at Literature’s Light bookstore as a Print-on-Demand (POD) edition, accessible to both national and international audiences.
Interviewer: Thank you for answering our questions. What can readers expect from you next?
Ayesha Kidwai Khan: Thank you!
Ayesha Kidwai Khan is a science graduate with a deep passion for storytelling, especially narratives centered on children and the environment. She draws inspiration from literary greats such as William Shakespeare and Emily Brontë, whose works beautifully explore themes of love, tragedy, and resilience in the face of adversity.
She holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from Indira Gandhi National Open University and has experience teaching science to children—an endeavor she found both meaningful and rewarding.
Beyond teaching and writing, she enjoys caring for her pet cats and has also authored a collection of poetry. Through her stories, she invites readers to join her creative journey, hoping they experience the same joy and connection that she finds in writing.
