Author. Publisher. Literary Festival Curator
Mindfulness Practitioner
Hi, I am Monica!
I am a writer, learner and dreamer who believes in the transformative power of storytelling. As the co-founder of Author In Me (AIM) and the AIM Literary Festival, I create platforms that empower diverse voices, nurture young writers, and inspire change. My work spans writing, publishing, curating a literary festival and leading creative writing programmes, all driven by the belief that stories shape minds and spark change.
With a background in science and a passion for neuroscience, I love to explore how narratives impact our mental well-being, creativity, and personal growth. Through my books, workshops, and publishing initiatives, I strive to make storytelling more inclusive, empowering, and transformative. Because when we change the stories we tell, we change the inner world and the world around us. My mission is simple: to use storytelling as a catalyst for growth, connection, and meaningful change.
Out Now...
The Gift That Gives Back is a heartwarming picture book set in the Himalayan town of Manali, India, where eight-year-old Isha eagerly awaits her birthday. But when heavy rainfalls, floods, and fallen trees threaten her community, a wise conversation with her grandmother helps her realise the powerful role trees play in protecting both people and the planet.
Determined to make a difference, Isha decides on a unique “gift” that will help her community and the planet.
Perfect for ages 4–8, this beautifully illustrated and culturally rich story weaves together themes of kindness, responsibility and environmental care. It introduces children to the importance of trees and inspires them to take small, meaningful steps to protect their world.
Ideal for schools, libraries, and families, The Gift That Gives Back encourages important conversations about nature, climate change, and how even the smallest hands can help nurture a brighter future. More than just a story, it can be used as a valuable resource to teach children about sustainability, climate change, and the importance of protecting natural habitats.
Inspiration Behind the Book
I wrote The Gift That Gives Back to affirm that children are active participants, not bystanders, in caring for the planet, even at a time when climate change and natural disasters are part of daily experience.
The story is rooted in personal experience. In 2023, while I was visiting India from the UK, severe floods swept through northern India, destroying homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, including in my hometown of Kullu, Manali. Although I was nearby in Delhi, I was unable to reach my family. That sense of distance, fear, and helplessness stayed with me long after the floods receded.
Over the last three decades, I have witnessed how large-scale deforestation in this region has weakened the land’s ability to absorb water and withstand extreme weather, intensifying the impact of flooding on local communities. As these events have repeated year after year, I began to reflect on what it means for children to grow up in places where such disasters are no longer exceptional, but expected.
Living with repeated environmental disruption can quietly shape a child’s inner world. Constant uncertainty can affect their sense of safety and restrict their confidence to imagine a secure future. I wanted to create a story that recognises these fears honestly, without overwhelming young readers, while also instilling a sense of responsibility and belief in their ability to contribute.
At the heart of the book is the idea that children are not powerless. When Isha learns how trees protect land, manage water, and support life through steady, often unnoticed work, she also learns something deeper: like trees, she too can give back. Even small actions, when taken with care, can restore balance and lead to change.
Rather than positioning children as passive witnesses to environmental change, The Gift That Gives Back invites them to see themselves as capable of thoughtful action. Through Isha’s journey, fear gives way to understanding, and helplessness is replaced with purpose. My hope is that young readers finish the book feeling connected to nature and confident in their ability to contribute, regardless of their age.
