For award-winning environment journalist and conservation biologist, Bahar Dutt, writing books for grown-ups about her favourite subject was easier as compared to her newest offering, Planet Protectors (TERI). “I have done complex stories on the environment, but writing for children is a huge challenge, as it must have the right blend of imparting some knowledge while keeping your story fun, introducing them to the world of possibilities while also firing their imagination. So, although daunted by the task, this journey of writing children’s stories turned out to be most satisfying from a creative aspect,” she admits, juggling time for our interview in between patchy wi-fi connection and exploring marine life somewhere along India’s coastline.

The larger-than-life illustrations, courtesy, Pankaj Saikia, are engaging while the layout, designed in the large-size storybook format works well. However, it’s the stories that are the heartbeat. “I find that most ‘hero’ stories follow a linear approach to storytelling. Take for instance a story on a public figure like Malala Yousafzai or Nelson Mandela. The storyline will share when the person was born, where they go to school, the first incidents of greatness and what they were famous for. For a child, this is flat, unrelate-able. I wanted to create a wondrous world — as nature is so wondrous, and then look for those everyday acts of heroism that could be celebrated. Also, such titles can get preachy.”