Author Vidya Varadarajan on a mission to kindle a love for reading in children

Vidya Vardarajan
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Bengaluru-based children’s author Vidya Varadarajan is on a mission to reignite a joy for reading in young minds. With her AKA Detective Series The Mystery of the Graveyard Gold and The Missing Geometry Boxes, she aims to engage the imagination of children in the nine-to-12 year bracket.

Vidya’s books blend adventure, curiosity, and everyday experiences in an engaging manner. While her AKA Detective Series has already gained a dedicated readership, the third instalment, The Mystery of the Disappearing Drones, is set to be released in June.

Through her books, Vidya hopes to make reading fun and relatable for children, particularly those growing up in contemporary India. Set in familiar urban landscapes, the books resonate with young readers who see glimpses of their own lives in the characters and settings.

Born in the United States and raised in Chennai, Vidya’s love for reading began early, inspired by an intensive reading and writing curriculum in her childhood. She recalls, “I grew up seeing my sister reading a lot of books; that is how my interest in reading grew.”

Mystery novel series such as Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys fascinated her and shaped an early love for storytelling in her. Her family moved to India in 1986, and as she continued her education, Vidya found that writing became an essential part of her life. “I had a strong foundation and my writing skills helped me in many ways — from academics to expressing myself through fiction and essays.”

Encouraged by her father, she pursued an MA in Communication at a time when cable TV was booming, leading her into the fields of advertising, copywriting, and later, digital marketing.

Target audience

But how did she step into the world of children’s books?

“I was looking for books that would motivate my daughter to read when she was around nine years old. Somehow, books just didn’t appeal to her; but I also understood that many books didn’t reflect the world she lived in.”

Vidya observed that while previous generations saw books as a window to another world, today’s children — growing up with social media — lack books that truly mirror their own lives. “In India, we have many picture books, and quite a few address social issues and our culture. But I wanted to write stories that children could see themselves in.”

With a firm belief in authenticity, Vidya ensures her books reflect the realities of modern Indian children. “Children in Bangalore relate better when I mention the traffic and food, or use familiar names such as Aarav, Asha, or Karthik. I keep the character’s names simple so kids can see themselves in the story.”

Her AKA Detective Series was born from this vision, offering engaging mysteries that young readers could relate to.

Vidya’s writing process is natural. “It starts with a story. I don’t do much planning. For my first book, I wondered — what would happen if someone found gold? Where would the story go from there?” She focuses on keeping the mysteries logical yet exciting, and avoiding elements that come across as too far-fetched or simplistic.

Challenges and joys

Writing for children presents unique challenges, shares Vidya. “I realise that sometimes I don’t explain enough. My feedback often suggests adding more details so young readers fully understand what is happening. Balancing a fast-paced mystery without making it confusing is something I’m still working on.”

At the same time, she views it as an opportunity to introduce children to new concepts. “While writing, I realised I had to explain certain things such as the working of QR codes and RFID technology. It happened organically, as my characters used them in the story and learned about them through research.”

Ultimately, Vidya’s goal is to make reading an enjoyable habit for children. “Reading is fun, and it is a lifelong habit that never lets you down. There is always another great book waiting for you.”

The Mystery of the Graveyard Gold and The Missing Geometry Boxes by Vidya Vardarajan is available online and in bookstores