Garrett Bohlmann/Houston Public Media
Houston area author Varsha Bajaj has written several books for middle-grade readers, including the New York Times bestseller Thirst, as well as Count Me In, and Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood, among others.
Additionally, she’s also written picture books for children such as The Home Builders, This is Our Baby, Born Today, and her latest book titled A Garland of Henna, which was released just yesterday (Tuesday, June 11).
In the audio above, Bajaj tells Houston Matters host Craig Cohen how writing became a second career for her, how her kids helped motivate the kinds of books she writes, and why many of her books feature Indian Americans as protagonists.
Plus, she also notes how there are more children’s books today with Indian representation than there were when she published her first picture book for small children in 2004.
Bajaj will be appearing in person for a Blue Willow Bookshop event celebrating the release of A Garland of Henna, on Saturday, June 15, at 5 p.m.
Garrett Bohlmann/Houston Public Media
