In an interview with mid-day.com, the children’s book author and former Mumbaikar dwells on the inspiration behind ‘Termite Fry’, which is about Tamil Nadu’s Irula tribe. She also dwells on why the indigenous tribes in India deserve more importance, why bureaucrats need to do more, and children need to get a chance to enjoy their childhood instead
Children's book author Zai Whitaker was in Mumbai at the 14th Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest. Photo Courtesy: Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest
For children’s book author Zai Whitaker, Mumbai will always be home and where she grew up even though the naturalist moved to Chennai in 1974 and later helped start the Madras Crocodile Bank. Coming from a family of naturalists, her interest in wildlife and conservation almost came naturally. “We lived in Andheri where there were jackals, and you could just walk across the fields to Juhu beach,” says Whitaker, whose oral storytelling is as immersive as her writing in books for children.