Ruth Jeyaveeran

While growing up in Africa as a child, she was entranced by the world of books. They were a big influence on Ruth Jeyaveeran, "offering an escape, what it's like to live in a different place."

The 32-year-old novelist and painter now wants children, especially of ages 4-8, to enjoy that very same land of fantasy by laying hands on a debut book "The Road to Mumbai." (published by Houghton Mifflin)

Filled with vivid color illustrations and drawings by Jeyaveeran herself, the book is the result of several trips to India. "I did a lot of drawing, writing, sketching in my journal during those visits," said the Brooklyn, New York resident, whose parents are originally from southern India. "I held on to the illustrations and notes in the journal till I came up with the idea for the book," she said.

	The Road To Mumbai

In "The Road to Mumbai" (about 32 pages), magical things happen to a girl and her pet monkey during a trip to a top-secret wedding. Along the road to Mumbai, Shoba and her monkey, Fuzzy Patel, make many new friends � mysterious monks, a curious camel, and a snake with a sensitive stomach, just to name a few. But you shouldn�t expect an invitation. According to Fuzzy, it will be the most boring wedding in the history of the universe.

But magical things can happen on the road to Mumbai � and when trouble threatens to ruin the big event, unexpected friends come to the rescue. In vivid paintings filled with color and light (and more than one uninvited guest!), the author brings the beauty and excitement of India alive for children everywhere to enjoy.

Jeyaveeran plans to write a sequel to the book in the future.

But up next is another children's book. This time it�s about a hippo that wants to skateboard. Now, that�s a thought or two for the little ones!

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