Move over, flying and laser vision – there’s a new superhero in town, and her name is Uma. She doesn’t wear a cape (well, not always), but she does something far more powerful: she listens, she cares, and she solves problems with kindness. Super Uma! – the dazzling new picture book from award-winning author Rashmi Sirdeshpande and debut illustrator Nakul P – is a love letter to every child who has ever felt overwhelmed by a busy, noisy world. We sat down with Rashmi to talk about Sparkleopolis, the chaos of London, the 5pm witching hour, and why the real superpower might just be noticing when someone needs a little help.
Rashmi – superheroes, capes, and saving the day. Was this always the plan, or did Super Uma sneak up on you between writing award-winners and wrangling your own little ones?
This one definitely snuck up on me. But I love it when an idea lands out of nowhere like that. It starts with a feeling and fragments of story and grows into something irresistible and fun.
Uma’s superpower isn’t flying or laser eyes – it’s kindness and problem-solving. Was there a moment in your own parenting journey that made you think “actually, THAT’S the real superpower”?
I don’t know if there was an exact moment, but I remember thinking over the years that I’m so proud that my kids have big hearts and curious minds that love a challenge. I think if you put those two things together something amazing happens.
We have to ask: if YOU had a superhero power, what would it be? (And no, “getting kids to school on time without shouting” is absolutely a valid answer.)
Ha! Teleportation for sure. Which might also solve the “getting the kids to school on time without shouting” thing. I love travel but the actual traveling is often exhausting. Just BEAM me there, please. And let’s skip the roadworks and (shudders!) the temporary traffic lights.
Uma lives in Sparkleopolis – a city that’s “bright, busy and full of fun.” Sound familiar to any London mum?! Was our glorious, chaotic capital lurking somewhere in those illustrations?
Of course! Sparkleopolis is a little love letter to big, multicultural cities like London (with a beautiful infusion of Asian architecture from illustrator extraordinaire Nakul P).
One of the things we loved about Uma is that she finds the city overwhelming sometimes. So many children (and let’s be honest, so many MUMS) feel exactly the same way. Was it important to you to show that even superheroes get overstimulated?
Yes, absolutely. I love London to bits but it can sometimes be a bit too much. And even children who have a great time at parties can find their senses being pushed to the max (or they might notice their friends feeling this way). I wanted to highlight this and show how spaces can be made as inclusive and welcoming as possible. Noticing what the people around us might need is a big thing too – it helps children exercise their empathy muscle.
The message that superheroes help others “feel safe and happy” is gorgeous. In your experience, what’s the smallest thing a child (or a parent) has done that made YOU feel safe and happy in a chaotic moment?
Publishing deadlines can be intense and they can overlap, causing absolute chaos. But at moments like that, my kids give me little pockets of quiet “alone time”. And they’ll leave my favourite fidget, a cute little soft toy and encouraging handwritten notes on my desk saying, “you’ve got this”. It’s adorable.
Nakul P. is a debut illustrator, and the artwork looks absolutely glorious – those glittering cityscapes! Did you have any “pinch me” moments when you first saw Uma come to life on the page?
Nakul is amazing. Even his rough art was incredible – that’s the early-stage black and white sketches. And when he added that colour and sparkle, it blew me away. This story was MADE for him. I think little readers will love flicking through those pages. I know I do! Stuff of DREAMS.
How much do you and Nakul collaborate? Did you send detailed notes, or did you trust him to run wild with Sparkleopolis?
I trusted him to run wild! And as you can see… it worked! I love seeing how an illustrator and art director bring a story to life. I think having that freedom means they get to put their creative soul into it and it shows.
You’ve written about everything from politics to kindness to dinosaurs (obviously). What draws you to a story? Is it a character, a message, or just something that makes you laugh?
I just write what I love! I go where my interests and curiosity take me. But also, I think about the reader and what they might love or need or find interesting. Sometimes that’s a comforting story, sometimes that’s an eye-opening take on a big theme, and sometimes that’s a chance to smile and laugh because that matters too!
If you could give every parent reading this one tiny piece of “superhero advice” for navigating the 5pm witching hour, what would it be?
Find that magic moment to help turn the dial down a few notches. Something like finding a quiet space for soothing cuddles or sharing picture books together (ok, fine I’m biased, but books work wonders even for the tiniest little ones and reading together is a way of saying “you matter and I’ve got time for you… I’m here for you…”).
We’re big believers that mums are basically superheroes in disguise. What’s the most heroic thing you’ve seen a mum do that definitely won’t make it into a picture book but absolutely should?
Oh 100%! Mums are often performing the WILDEST of juggling acts and frankly deserve shiny gold medals for even vaguely keeping things together. I have two kids in two schools and I live in leggings and sneakers. When I see a mum with 3+ kids on the school run with an actual sense of STYLE, I think hero.
For the small humans reading Super Uma!, what do you hope they take away? Apart from “I want sparkly illustrations on every page forever”?
I want them to have FUN, of course! But also, I’d love them to appreciate that we all have different needs so it’s important to create spaces that make everyone feel comfortable, safe and happy. And for those who feel like things can get a bit much, I hope they see that they’re not alone. Nakul and I… we get it. We see you. 100%.
And for the grown-ups reading it for the 47th time in a row (you know who you are), what do you hope they notice that they might have missed the first few reads?
Hmmmm I can’t give that away now, can I? Hopefully you’ll see there’s so much to see and spot and lots of nods to some well-loved superhero and story tropes with a fresh and fun twist.
Okay, hypothetical: Super Uma teams up with one other children’s book character to save the day. Who’s her sidekick and why?
Gina Kaminski from Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf. I love how that little girl sees the world and how she isn’t afraid to tell it like it is.
Finally – and this is crucial – what snack keeps YOU going during a writing day? Asking for a hungry journalist.
Sweet and salted popcorn and anything with pistachios (mildly obsessed with them after a trip to Italy, my most favourite place in the world!).
And one for the kids: If YOU had a superpower, what would it be – and would you let Uma borrow it?
My kids say that telepathy (mind-reading) would be cool. And sure, Uma can borrow their superpower. Told you they’re big-hearted. Although… they did say she better give it back at some point!
Super Uma! by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrated by Nakul P is out now.
For more information, visit the publisher’s website, a local bookshop, Amazon or online retailer.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
