Paromita De is a children’s book author, educator, wife, and mother based in Orange County, California. A high school teacher with a Master of Arts in Teaching from UC Irvine, she brings both personal experience and heartfelt emotion into her writing. Inspired by her son and her own experiences growing up with an East Indian name, her debut picture book Paromita explores identity, heritage, confidence, and the importance of embracing one’s roots. In this interview with WorldAuthors.org, Paromita opens up about the inspiration behind her book, the emotional impact of names, and why she hopes young readers learn to carry their heritage with pride.
WELCOME TO WORLDAUTHORS.ORG, PAROMITA DE! TO BEGIN, COULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS AND TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AS AN AUTHOR AND EDUCATOR?
Thank you so much! It’s a privilege to be here. Looking back, my path as an educator and author really started when I was just five years old—it was a simple, childhood dream to teach and tell stories that just never went away!
The real turning point for me was high school. I was lucky enough to be part of the Live Poet’s Society, a space that gave me the quiet confidence to explore my own voice through poetry. I owe so much to my teacher, Mr. Root. He saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself. His mentorship was a gift that truly shaped my heart and my career, teaching me that being an educator is about so much more than just a lesson plan—it’s about inspiration. Later on, I also worked at my own High School, and it felt like I came full circle! Today, I’m just trying to pay that kindness forward.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE PAROMITA, AND HOW MUCH OF THE STORY COMES FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES OR OBSERVATIONS?
Paromita is really a piece of my heart. The deepest inspiration behind it was my son. Like me, he has an East Indian name, and I wrote this story because I want him to carry it with absolute pride.
Having experienced the sting of being teased for my own name, I wanted to create something that would protect his spirit. This book is my humble way of teaching him—and others—to cherish their heritage.
THE BOOK BEAUTIFULLY EXPLORES THE IMPORTANCE OF NAMES AND IDENTITY. WHY WAS THIS MESSAGE IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SHARE WITH YOUNG READERS?
Our names are the very first gift we receive when we enter this world. They are a sacred link to our past, carrying the weight of our culture and the deep love of the ancestors who came before us.
When we embrace our names, we are honoring our roots and the story of where we come from. That’s why identity is so important—it’s about protecting that heritage and carrying it forward with pride. I wanted to share it with young readers so that they feel proud of who they are, and where they came from.
PAROMITA’S CONNECTION TO INDIAN CULTURE, ESPECIALLY THROUGH KATHAK DANCE AND HER GRANDMOTHER, PLAYS A MEANINGFUL ROLE IN THE STORY. WHY DID YOU WANT TO INCLUDE THESE CULTURAL ELEMENTS?
I included these elements into the story because I wanted to show how these traditions and relationships aren’t just part of the past, but are the very things that ground us today. They were an integral part of growing up personally.
AS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AND A MOTHER, HOW HAVE CHILDREN INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU APPROACH STORYTELLING?
In my classroom, my students remind me every day how much it matters to feel seen and understood. It helps me to understand and be mindful of the fact that young children are still finding their way. Paromita is my small way of helping them realize that their roots and their names are beautiful gifts to be proud of.
I wanted my son, and my students to see that heritage is to be honored and carried with pride.
THE STORY TOUCHES ON HOW MISPRONOUNCING A CHILD’S NAME CAN AFFECT THEIR CONFIDENCE. WHAT CONVERSATIONS DO YOU HOPE THIS BOOK STARTS AMONG PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS?
I hope Paromita starts a simple, heartfelt conversation about the love and history hidden within our names. I want parents and teachers to help children see their names as sacred gifts from their ancestors, rather than something to feel self-conscious about.
My humble hope is that this book encourages students to lead with kindness and pride in their own roots.
WHAT WAS THE MOST EMOTIONAL OR REWARDING PART OF WRITING PAROMITA?
The most rewarding part has been seeing my son hold this book and read it for himself. I wrote it for him, so knowing it helps him feel proud of his name and heritage is everything to me.
It has also been so emotional to see the pride in my parents’ eyes. I’m just so grateful to have honored the culture they gave me and to show them, in my own humble way, how much I respect and love them.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS OFTEN LEAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON READERS. WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUNG READERS TAKE AWAY AFTER FINISHING PAROMITA?
My hope is for it to foster a world that is a bit kinder and more respectful of the unique names and different backgrounds that make up who we are
YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU MAY BE PUBLISHING ANOTHER BOOK SOON. CAN YOU SHARE ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS OR WHAT READERS CAN EXPECT NEXT FROM YOU?
I’m currently working on a second book, and I hope to write many more stories about Paromita’s journey in the future as well.
You can reach Paromita De through website paromitadebooks.com and Instagram @parode2