Author Interview with Serena Hassan

LQ: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

SH: I live in Surrey with my husband and two wonderful daughters. My first children’s book, The Tap-Dancing Pigeon Of Covent Garden was published in September 2019. It is about a Pigeon who leaves home for the first time to discover his passion and find a place he can truly call home of his own; interwoven with the vital message of the impact of human littering on our local wildlife. 

I have since been on a rather amazing journey of self-discovery. A year ago, I would never have imagined that I would be interviewed on Sky News Live, Radio Jackie and on the Jo Good Show on BBC Radio London. I have visited many lovely schools, entertaining 180+ children on my own. The children’s enthusiasm allows my book to transition to another level as the children become part of Pigeon’s journey in my interactive storytelling. 

LQ: What does your writing process look like?

SH: I believe writing to be a very personal experience as everyone has their own unique process. For me, I don’t like to constrain myself with writing rules until the editing stage, this prevents writer’s block.

I start by jotting down ideas in a sketch book. I think about the characters, the books message and where the story will take place. 

Then I let my imagination run wild and free. When I think my draft is ready, then I start editing it. 

LQ: What was your favourite book to write so far?

SH: The Tap-Dancing Pigeon Of Covent Garden as in a some small way it reflects my own personal experience in finding my own passion for writing and the need to keep persevering. 

LQ: Who is your favourite character to write about?

SH: It’s of course my main character Pigeon because he is gutsy, comical, adventurous, believes in himself, full of determination and that he ultimately adapts to life living amongst humans.

LQ: Who are your favourite authors? Have any of them influenced your work?

SH: I grew up in the countryside, spending my days outdoors in nature, hanging upside down off branches of a Silver Birch tree and also going on long bike ride adventures through amazing woods with stunning views. This was certainly an influence on the type of books I liked to read and still to this day when I look back at these books, I am in total awe of the authors. 

1. My first-choice author is Cicely Mary Barker who wrote poems and illustrated beautiful fairies, titled The Flower Fairies. Cicely’s amazing flower fairy books created a sense of wonder and belief that there is magic all around us and that nature is so precious. To think that she was published in the 1920’s and the flower fairies tale lives on all this time later is amazing. I recently bought a pop-up book of the flower fairies for my daughters and we like to go into the woods and look for their tiny doors. That warm feeling of adventure, excitement and magic I had when I was a child flows through me every time we undertake that adventure. 

2. My second favourite author is Kenneth Grahame, who wrote ‘Wind In The Willows’ first published in 1908. This book is about a mole, rat, toad and badger which represents another classic countryside adventure. 

I cannot say that these books directly influenced me to write my book, but I believe my love for nature did play a part. Seven years ago, I was having lunch in Covent Garden and I noticed a pigeon with plastic tangled around its legs. When I tried to approach it, it flew away. To this day I have always wondered and of course hoped that that poor pigeon found a way to untangle its legs. 

This sparked the idea to write a story with a loveable character that children can relate to and gently show them the impact of human littering on our wildlife but also that humans can provide solutions to safeguard our precious world. 

With climate change being such colossal problem and our beautiful earth suffering, I want children to understand that plastic pollution isn’t just in our oceans or where the polar bears live, but that it is right here on our doorstep. We all have a choice to make a change and we can help create a healthy world. The next generation are the future and their decisions can save our planet. 

LQ: How are you doing during the current pandemic?

SH: At the beginning I felt sad to have to cancel all of my school visits. Major disappointment set in when I was informed that the two prestigious festivals that in which I had been selected to participate, namely the Sharjah Children’s Book Festival in April (UAE) and the Barnes Literature Festival in June would be cancelled. 

Now after a few weeks in lockdown, I have adapted and I see every day as an opportunity to exercise, spend quality time with my children and create lasting memories. I also make time to be creative for myself as I think that is really important. Of course, I am determined to bounce back and continue my exciting literary journey!

LQ: What are you currently working on?

SH: I have begun work on the second adventure for Pigeon. Watch this space…

LQ: Anything else you would like to share?

SH: I am passionate about creating environmental awareness and many other positive underlying messages through my children’s books. My book is for 3 to 8 years old.

My book is available to purchase at the majority of bookshops in the UK and Amazon.

Follow me on:

Twitter: @serenahassan4

Instagram: @serena_childrens_author