
Tina’s Athaide's journey began in Uganda, with stops in London and Canada, before settling in Southern California. A lifelong booklover, she never saw someone like her—a samosa-loving, salwar kameez-wearing, brown-skinned Asian Indian—reflected in stories. Now a teacher of 30+ years, she writes diverse books to fill that gap. Her middle-grade debut, Orange for the Sunsets, won a Canadian Children’s Book Centre Award for Historical Fiction and reaches readers worldwide. She has also written picture books and bilingual leveled readers. Tina’s stories celebrate the richness of cultural experiences and aim to open hearts, one page at a time. For more information visit her website: http://www.tinaathaide.com
1. How did you begin your journey as an author?
My writing journey started with a simple goal: bringing more diversity into kids’ books. As a teacher, I knew how important it was for students to see themselves in the stories they read, so I started by creating early literacy readers with diverse characters. After a lot of persistence, and thirty rejections, Orange for the Sunsets, was published. That love for storytelling grew, and soon I was writing picture book and another middle grade story.
2. What one piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring kidlit authors?
Write the stories that light you up inside—the ones only you can tell. Don’t worry about trends or what others say is “in.” Stay true to your voice and keep going, even through rejections. Every “no” is just one step closer to the “yes” that matters.
3. What are you working on? What’s next for you?
Up next, I’m diving into a fantasy middle-grade story filled with an assortment of characters that will surprise and delight readers—it’s shaping up to be a wild, magical ride! I’m also working on several picture books, blending humor, heart, and cultural richness.

4. If you could tell readers one secret your most recent book, what would it be?
Here’s a fun secret: Officer Graham in my book, Wings to Soar, is inspired by a real person! I connected with Graham Jewell on Facebook, and his kindness, sense of humor, and heart for helping others made such an impression that I couldn’t resist weaving him into the story.
5. Who should read this book?
Wings to Soar is for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in, for dreamers who refuse to give up, and for readers who believe in the power of friendship and resilience. It’s perfect for struggling readers because it’s written in verse, with lots of white space and fewer words on the page, making it accessible and engaging. The fast pace and relatable characters keep the story moving, offering a heartfelt adventure that’s hard to put down!
6. What was the most challenging thing you faced while writing/researching this book?
The most challenging part of writing Wings to Soar was capturing the mood and atmosphere of the 1970s, especially since I wanted to include photographs to bring that era to life for readers. Finding the right images was tough, but I’m so grateful to Jonathan Sayers, a wonderful person I met on Facebook, who lives in Berkshire. He provided a treasure trove of photographs that really helped set the scene and give the story that authentic 1970s feel. His generosity made a huge difference in shaping the book’s atmosphere!
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