Growing up, our home was always filled with a menagerie of pets and animals. We even had roosters and chickens; playing with baby chicks was a favorite pastime. One day, my father decided to bring some extra flair to our collection by purchasing an exotic rooster and a hen with fluffy white feathers and plumes on their heads and feet.
These delightful birds were destined to accompany us from Queensland to Melbourne, Australia. As we drove through the Outback in the early hours, our rooster decided it was time to crow. The early morning crowing woke us up at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, and soon, people started approaching our van. They were fascinated by the rooster’s unique crow and the adorable appearance of the rooster and hen. The compliments and admiration from strangers made that leg of our journey unexpectedly delightful.
Upon arriving in Melbourne, my father gifted the rooster and hen to our neighbor, who was overjoyed. The neighbor thanked him profusely and returned a week later to express his gratitude again. It was as if these two charming birds had become part of our travel adventure, adding a touch of whimsy to our journey.
In Ratnapped, I aimed to capture that same sense of fun and surprise. Just as those roosters made our trip memorable, I included a funny scene with the mad scientist and a pigeon to bring joy and laughter to young readers. When my nieces read through Ratnapped, they pointed to the pages and laughed, which confirmed that I had achieved my goal.
I hope Ratnapped brings joy and amusement to children everywhere, offering them a glimpse of adventure and fun, much like the unexpected delight of our rooster and hen.
From Roosters on the Road to Adventures in Ratnapped
