About the Author

'From The Toddler Diaries' started as a series of poems that Shoumi wrote for her daughter. This collection, in its stapled makeshift binding, was the center of several bedtime story sessions and play dates with friends. Inspired by this interest amongst kids and encouraged by their parents, she decided to publish the collection. Shoumi is a Strategy, Sales and Marketing professional at a leading Energy Management company. She grew up in Bombay and Dubai and studied Engineering at BITS, Pilani and the University of Maryland, College Park. She loves to travel, has lived and worked in many countries, and currently lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and daughter. 'Celebrate Durga Puja with Me' started as a thought while holidaying in Australia. Shoumi and her family attended Durga Puja celebrations in Brisbane with an old friend she grew up with in Bombay. "Bombay comes alive with festivities for five days every year during Pujo," they reminisced, as they attended a condensed 'weekend Pujo', which is typical outside India. Memories of celebrations from her childhood form the essence of her collection - the frenzied 'dhunuchi' dance during Durga Puja, the rhythmic chants of the oarsmen during Onam or the expression on a friend's face as you snuck up to smear 'abeer' during Holi! "I wanted to recreate these memories in verse for my daughter and kids all over who may not have the opportunity to experience festivals the way we did."