Melbourne-based author Krithika Mohan is on a mission to make cultural representation a cornerstone of children’s literature. As the creative force behind Little Owl Stories, a platform for personalised children’s books that celebrate multicultural identities, she draws deeply from her own experiences. Growing up as a child of Indian immigrants in South Western Sydney, Krithika grappled with the duality of her upbringing—rooted in South Indian traditions while navigating a society that often overlooked her heritage.
Her journey from feeling isolated to embracing her identity is woven into the stories she writes. Through Little Owl Stories, Krithika aims to foster a sense of pride and belonging in children from multicultural backgrounds, while introducing others to the richness of cultural diversity. Her work has already touched the lives of families across Australia, and she envisions expanding this impact globally.
In this interview with The Indian Sun, Krithika reflects on her experiences growing up, her creative process, and her dream of building a more inclusive world through storytelling.
What was your experience growing up as a child of Indian immigrants in Australia?
Growing up as a child of Indian immigrants in South Western Sydney was a unique and multifaceted experience—one filled with joy but also moments of challenge. My parents fostered a deeply traditional South Indian upbringing for my brother and I, ensuring we stayed connected to our roots through religion, Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. These traditions became a source of pride within our home, but outside of it, I often felt the need to conceal this part of my identity.
In school, I sometimes faced teasing for the colour of my skin or for wearing a bindi (pottu). These experiences led to insecurities and, at times, embarrassment about being a child of Indian immigrants. I struggled with a sense of belonging, torn between the rich culture at home and the desire to fit in with my peers.
It wasn’t until my later years in high school and into university that I began to embrace my cultural identity fully. I came to realise that the traditions my parents instilled in us weren’t something to hide but rather a source of strength and uniqueness. Looking back, while it was difficult at times, I’m immensely grateful for the effort my parents made to share their knowledge and heritage with us. It’s this foundation that has shaped who I am today and what I aim to celebrate through my work with Little Owl Stories.
Were there specific moments when you felt the lack of representation in books and media?
I can’t pinpoint a single moment, because the lack of representation was a constant presence throughout my childhood. Growing up in the ’90s, there were virtually no South Asian faces in mainstream media, and the books I read exclusively featured Caucasian characters. The stories and celebrations highlighted were always centred around Christmas or Easter, with no mention of the festivals that were deeply meaningful to my family such as Diwali, Navaratri or Pongal.
The closest I ever felt to representation was with the release of ‘Aladdin’ and the introduction of Princess Jasmine as a Disney character. But even that connection was distant and incomplete. This pervasive lack of representation, combined with the experiences many children of immigrants faced outside their homes, I believe contributed to the term ‘Australian Born Confused Desi’ (ABCD). We were caught between wanting to embrace our cultural identity but feeling unable to do so in a society that lacked understanding or acknowledgment of our heritage.
How did your upbringing influence your love for storytelling and your decision to focus on children’s literature?
As a child, I had a vivid imagination and a deep love for storytelling. My parents still fondly remind me of how I would look at illustrations in books and craft my own stories, even before I could read. I’d confidently narrate tales, convinced I knew exactly what was happening in the pictures! This early spark of curiosity and creativity left a lasting impression on me.
I’ve always been fascinated by the way vibrant illustrations and meaningful stories can ignite a child’s imagination and sense of wonder. This love for storytelling, combined with my own experiences growing up, inspired me to focus on children’s literature. I firmly believe that helping children feel proud of their heritage and identity from a young age can build confidence and foster a stronger sense of self as they grow.
Moreover, children’s literature offers a unique opportunity to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism. It not only helps children from underrepresented backgrounds see themselves in stories but also encourages those from other backgrounds to appreciate the richness of the world around them. By nurturing this understanding early, we can contribute to building a more accepting and inclusive society.
Did you have any favourite books as a child that resonated with you, or did their absence inspire you to fill the gap?
When I think back to my favourite childhood stories, they were the mainstream ones commonly found in libraries or classrooms—titles like Spot, Clifford the Big Red Dog and various comics. While I enjoyed reading these stories, they didn’t reflect my cultural identity or experiences.
It was the absence of culturally specific, personalised books that inspired me to fill the gap. I often wonder how meaningful it would have been to see a character like me in a story or to read about festivals like Diwali, Navaratri or Pongal—celebrations that were such an integral part of my upbringing. I’m certain that if such books had existed, they would have easily become my favourites. Not just for the representation they offered but for the pride and connection they would have instilled in me.
How do you feel about the state of representation in Australian children’s books today?
I’m encouraged to see the progress that has been made in children’s publishing regarding representation, but it’s clear that we still have a long way to go. Currently, only about 30% of children’s books feature ethnic minorities as primary characters. Considering that over 50% of Australians have at least one parent born outside of Australia, the gap—and the opportunity—becomes very evident.
The lack of representation is even more pronounced in the personalised children’s book market. While some books allow characters to reflect a child’s physical appearance, the stories themselves often remain broad and culturally neutral. There’s a huge opportunity to go beyond surface-level representation and create narratives that celebrate children not just for how they look, but for their traditions, culture and heritage—the unique aspects of who they are.
This is the type of representation we’re passionate about building at Little Owl Stories. We believe in creating stories that allow children to see themselves fully reflected, fostering pride in their identity and a deeper connection to their roots.
Are there any particular changes or trends you’ve noticed in recent years?
In recent years, one of the most significant trends in the children’s book market has been the growing popularity of personalisation. Parents are increasingly seeking learning tools that are tailored specifically to their child’s interests and identity. This trend presents a unique opportunity to go beyond general personalisation and create resources that teach children about their cultural heritage.
As many people from my generation are now becoming parents, there’s a strong desire to pass on the cultural traditions and values that shaped their own upbringing to their children. Personalised books offer an engaging and meaningful way to bridge this generational connection, making cultural education both fun and accessible. At Little Owl Stories, we’re excited to be part of this movement, providing families with stories that not only reflect their children’s individuality but also celebrate their unique traditions and heritage.
What do you think Australian children’s fiction lacks when it comes to reflecting multicultural experiences?
I believe Australian children’s fiction still lacks a nuanced representation of the specific traditions and celebrations that are integral to various communities. While broader multicultural themes have begun to make their way into the market, there is often little focus on festivals like Pongal, Sankranti, Lohri or Vesak—events that may be considered niche but are deeply significant to many within the South Asian and other communities.
We chose to begin with Diwali because of its widespread recognition and appeal, but our goal is to expand far beyond that. By introducing stories that highlight these unique celebrations, we aim to represent a broader range of cultural experiences and provide children with the opportunity to connect with their heritage—or learn about and appreciate traditions outside their own. It’s about creating a richer, more inclusive tapestry in children’s fiction, one story at a time.
How did you go from recognising this gap to deciding to launch Little Owl Stories?
The idea for Little Owl Stories came from a deep desire to create personalised stories that authentically represent children’s diverse experiences. I felt confident in my ability to write the stories and oversee the illustrations, but I wasn’t sure how to technically bring the concept to life. Around that time, I shared the idea with my friend Yvonne, who was working as an engineer at the same tech company as me. Yvonne immediately resonated with the vision and mission. As a child of Chinese immigrants in Canada, she had also experienced the lack of representation in her formative years and understood how isolating that could feel.
She was excited to join forces, with me taking the lead on creative aspects and her managing the technical side. Together, we were able to turn the concept into a reality. While the journey so far has been filled with challenges, our shared passion and belief in our mission have kept us going. Launching our first series of books centred around Diwali has been an incredible milestone, and we’re motivated to continue creating stories that fill the gap in the personalised children’s book market. We know this is just the beginning, and we’re committed to expanding our work to celebrate and represent even more communities.
What was the inspiration behind starting with the Diwali series?
We chose to start with Diwali because it is a vibrant and widely celebrated festival within many South Asian communities, offering broad appeal and rich storytelling potential. Diwali is full of color, joy and delicious food, elements that naturally resonate with young children and spark their imagination.
More importantly, Diwali is a festival rooted in timeless values and meaningful lessons. Through the stories of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and Goddess Lakshmi, children learn about kindness, humility, generosity and the triumph of good over evil—values that remain relevant and impactful year-round, not just during the festival.
Launching with Diwali felt like the perfect way to introduce Little Owl Stories and its mission. It not only represents an important festival from my own childhood but also embodies the kind of cultural richness and universal lessons we aim to celebrate and share through our books.
How do you make complex cultural traditions engaging and accessible for children?
Making complex cultural traditions engaging and accessible for children starts with a simple storyline and vibrant illustrations. At the heart of these traditions are timeless, meaningful lessons that resonate with people of all ages. Take Diwali, for example—it symbolises the triumph of light over darkness. This concept can be distilled into messages of kindness, humility and generosity, demonstrating how these qualities can overcome negativity in life.
By breaking down these deeper themes into child-friendly, easily understandable messages, we help children connect with the true essence of the festivals they celebrate. Adding vibrant illustrations and making the main character look like the child themselves further enhances engagement and relatability.
Research shows that personalised children’s books lead to greater enjoyment, understanding and connection. Our goal is to leverage this insight to create stories that not only entertain but also instil a sense of pride and cultural awareness in young readers. What goes into creating a personalised book that celebrates culture while maintaining a universal appeal?
Creating a personalised book that celebrates culture while maintaining universal appeal is a delicate balance. At Little Owl Stories, our primary focus is on placing the child at the center of a narrative that deeply resonates with a specific culture. This approach means our books may not initially have universal relevance, and that’s intentional. Over time, we aim to represent as many communities as possible, celebrating the rich diversity of traditions worldwide.
What makes this approach inclusive is the beauty of our increasingly interconnected world. Children today are not confined to celebrating just one culture—they might embrace Diwali, Lunar New Year, or Eid, all within the same family or circle of friends. By providing personalised stories where the characters look like the child and reflect their unique cultural background, we’re fostering representation and creating opportunities for children to connect with, and appreciate, a variety of traditions.
Beyond South Asian traditions, are you planning to explore other cultural stories?
Absolutely! Our mission at Little Owl Stories is to represent as many cultures and traditions as possible, reflecting the beautifully diverse and multicultural society we live in.
We are already in the process of expanding beyond South Asian traditions and are currently working on books that celebrate Lunar New Year and Eid. These stories will highlight the rich customs, values and joy of these festivals, and we’re excited to bring them to life over the next 12 months. This is just the beginning, as we aim to continue growing our collection to ensure children from all backgrounds can see their heritage celebrated in meaningful and engaging ways.
What would a dream milestone for Little Owl Stories look like?
At Little Owl Stories, our dream milestone is to become the go-to destination for parents seeking culturally rich and personalised books for their children. We envision building the largest library of culturally diverse, personalised stories that celebrate every child’s unique heritage and experiences.
Right now, it’s just my business partner Yvonne and I driving this mission, managing everything from the creative process to the technical aspects. While it’s incredibly rewarding, we aspire to grow our team in the future. Expanding our capabilities would allow us to release books more frequently, capturing the diverse stories and traditions of children from all backgrounds. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every child can see themselves authentically represented in the stories they read.
How do you see books like yours helping children from multicultural backgrounds embrace their heritage?
Books like ours play a vital role in helping children from multicultural backgrounds embrace their heritage by fostering a sense of pride, belonging and understanding. For many children, seeing themselves represented in the stories they read—whether it’s their appearance, traditions, or festivals—can be incredibly validating. It tells them that their culture is valued and worth celebrating.
For children from multicultural families, our stories also serve as bridges, helping them navigate and connect with the different aspects of their identity. They’re not just learning about their heritage; they’re celebrating it in a way that’s fun, meaningful and deeply personal. Over time, we believe these books can help children grow up with a stronger sense of who they are and an appreciation for the rich diversity of the world around them.
What would you say to aspiring authors who want to bring their unique cultural perspectives to children’s literature?
I would encourage aspiring authors to write the stories they wish they’d had as children. Think about the moments when you felt unseen or misunderstood—what kind of story could have bridged that gap for you? Each of us brings a unique perspective shaped by our personal experiences, even within the same community, and that diversity is what makes storytelling so powerful.
There is no limit to the number of books that can celebrate culture, heritage, and tradition. Each one adds to a rich tapestry that helps children feel seen, valued, and celebrated. By sharing your unique cultural lens, you’re not just telling a story—you’re creating a space where children can connect with their identity and learn about the beautiful diversity of the world around them.
Who writes the text for your books?
As the creative lead at Little Owl Stories, I write the text for all our books. The process begins with deep research—reading extensively, speaking with family and friends about their experiences and connecting with members of the communities we aim to represent. These insights help shape the storyline and ensure the cultural elements are authentic and meaningful.
For our debut Diwali series, we have created two books tailored to different age groups:
• My First Diwali: Designed for children aged 0–3, this book introduces the key themes of Diwali—the festival of lights—in a simple, vibrant and engaging way. It highlights elements like rangoli, lamps and delicious foods while weaving in the values our Gods teach us through this celebration.
• My Diwali Dream: Geared toward children aged 4 and above, this book takes readers on a magical dream journey where they meet Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Goddess Lakshmi. Each deity shares a valuable life lesson about kindness, humility and generosity.
Writing these stories allows me to express my creativity while crafting meaningful narratives that resonate with children and families. It’s incredibly fulfilling to bring these cultural celebrations to life in a way that’s both engaging and educational.
What about the illustrations? Who is the artist behind them, and how do you work together to bring these stories to life?
We collaborate with incredibly talented freelance illustrators based in Indonesia. Our Diwali books were brought to life by Dwi Santoso, who understood our vision from the very beginning and perfectly captured the essence of the stories through his art.
Creating illustrations for personalised books comes with unique challenges. Each book requires multiple variants to accommodate different eye shapes and colors, hairstyles, hair colors and skin tones. Dwi expertly crafted these individual assets, allowing customers to personalise the story to reflect the child they’re purchasing it for.
Our collaboration is entirely virtual, utilising online tools to communicate and share feedback. We provide clear briefs and detailed instructions to guide the creative process, but it’s truly a partnership with a lot of back-and-forth to refine each design. Dwi’s dedication and talent have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life and we’re thrilled with the outcome!
Who is your publisher, and what has the publishing journey been like?
We are proudly self-published. Personalised books by nature are one of a kind, with each story tailored to the specific child. This uniqueness makes them incompatible with traditional publishing models, as no two books are ever the same. Instead, we’ve sought out bespoke printers to bring our stories to life and have taken on the responsibility of marketing and outreach ourselves.
The publishing journey has been both challenging and rewarding. For instance, right before we were set to print and ship our Diwali books, our previous printer informed us they could no longer support us due to organisational changes. It was a stressful moment, but we quickly found a new printer and established operations with them. Thankfully, they’ve been incredible partners, and we’ve successfully shipped our books to customers.
These hurdles are part of building a new business, and we’re embracing them as opportunities to learn and grow. Each challenge teaches us something valuable and we’re excited to carry these lessons forward as we continue to expand.
How can readers get their hands on your books? Are they available online, or will they also be sold in stores?
Our books are exclusively available online at www.littleowlstories.com. The process is simple and magical: customers can choose their preferred book, customise it to reflect the child they are purchasing it for and we take care of the rest! Each personalised story is carefully crafted and delivered with love.
Readers can also stay connected with us on Instagram at @littleowlstories. We share updates on what we are up to, behind-the-scenes glimpses of how we create these stories and sneak peeks of upcoming book launches. Following along is the best way to stay in the loop and join us on this journey!
Do you have plans to expand into international markets?
Our books are currently available to customers in the USA, UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. As we continue to grow, we absolutely plan to expand into additional international markets. We want children all over the world to feel represented and celebrated and we’re excited to bring our culturally rich, personalised stories to even more families in the future.
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🌟In an exclusive interview, Krithika Mohan shares her journey with #LittleOwlStories, crafting personalised children’s books that celebrate multicultural identities.📚Rooted in her South Indian heritage, she champions inclusivity & pride.🌟#TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/J4CmEpYbxS
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