
Writer, researcher, founder and mom. I live and work in Canberra.


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Mehreen Arshi


I was rather proudly mentioning that I had written a blog about storytelling during an afternoon tea when a friend suggested I put together a recommended reading list for children. What a brilliant idea. Not only had she handed me my next blog topic while my review of Animal Farm was still brewing, but she also transported me back to long summer afternoons spent with my nose buried in a book.

Popular with children today are titles like Captain Underpants, Dog Man, The Bad Guys, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Most of us are familiar with these — often smiling bravely as we suppress our inner literary purist and applaud our children’s efforts to “read.”

There is absolutely nothing wrong with these books. In fact, they are highly effective at drawing children into reading, especially in an age dominated by technology and shrinking attention spans. But if you would like to gently guide your child toward classics with a little more depth, perhaps it’s time for a trip to the riverbank.

Join the shy Mole and the clever, warm-hearted Water Rat. Climb into a boat and set off to rescue the ever-pompous Mr. Toad from yet another self-inflicted catastrophe in The Wind in the Willows. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole into the wonderfully bewildering world of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. My absolute all-time favourite is Anne of Green Gables — a coming-of-age story about an orphaned girl navigating the unfamiliar terrain of her newly adopted home. Anne’s spirited personality, daily adventures, and boundless imagination make her one of the most captivating heroines in children’s literature.

One of my accidental discoveries at a local library was a charming children’s book by J.R.R. Tolkien titled Mr. Bliss. It’s a delightfully quirky tale of mishaps that unfold when Mr. Bliss ventures out to buy a motor car.

Other timeless classics include Treasure Island, Where the Wild Things Are, The Little Prince, Heidi, The Secret Garden, A Wrinkle in Time, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Where the Sidewalk Ends, to name just a few.

You might also dip your toes into beloved series such as The 13-Storey Treehouse, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and the Harry Potter collection — another personal favourite. Enid Blyton, a stalwart of children’s literature, gifted us treasures like The Magic Faraway Tree, The Enchanted Wood, The Famous Five series, and Naughty Amelia Jane, among many others.

Reading with your children is a magical journey — and a reminder that you are never too old to enjoy a children’s book yourself.

Rediscover the joy of children's literature alongside your kids.

On Children's Books


We all read for different reasons. Entertainment is an obvious one. Knowledge and personal growth are others. But what makes a book truly click?

When I read, I look for a story that will linger with me long after I’ve closed the cover. I want to be absorbed by it — lost in the language, immersed in the setting shaped by carefully chosen words. Words can make or break a story. The same plot, told in two different styles, can leave entirely different impressions on a reader. Half the magic lies in the story itself; the other half lies in the storytelling.

How did the author arrive at that particular line? How striking is that metaphor? How did they transform ink on paper into something I can feel in my chest? If the language of a narrative fails to captivate deeply, something is missing. The power of storytelling lies not only in what is told, but in how it is told.

That said, words are not the sole pillars upon which a story stands. Attention to detail and character development are just as crucial. We need to understand the characters — not merely their physical appearance, but their essence. Without a backstory, it becomes difficult to form an emotional connection with a protagonist. One of the most effective ways to build this connection is through observing how a character acts and reacts in ordinary situations. Their thoughts, their small opinions about everyday matters — these often reveal more than dramatic events ever could.

Understanding a character also deepens when we see them through the eyes of others. What do other characters think of them? Fear them? Admire? Resent? Without grasping who they are and why they behave as they do, it is difficult to empathise with them — or even to dislike them meaningfully.

Another essential element is emotional maturity within both the characters and the narrative. This is not about age, but about depth. When we read, we embark on a journey — not merely through time, but through transformation. That journey may chart the rise and fall of relationships, a coming-of-age evolution, or the consequences of a single pivotal event. Whether the arc leads toward growth or destruction, there must be movement. Stagnation weakens a story; development strengthens it.

These are just some of the elements I will be exploring in my reflections on each book I read — what made it resonate with me and what fell short. They are, of course, my personal impressions. You are welcome to disagree.


Intricate character development and attention to detail are crucial for readers to connect emotionally with the story.

Blog Posts

On Children's Books

Exploring the art of story telling