The Perfect Children’s Book on Facing Your Fear

I am delighted to introduce Aruna Khanzada’s Harrison Braves The Hill, a beautifully illustrated book that teaches children the power of courage and hope through the anxious journey of the main character, Harrison, a young bird. When I first read the book, it totally blew me away with its gentle but persuasive story about transformation. It perfectly illustrates how we must lose something to gain something better — to always have a little hope to massage our fear, allowing courage to come forward and transition to the next chapter in life, whatever that is.

What led Aruna to writing this book? And why did she select the characters she did to represent, hope, courage, change, loss? Here’s our Q&A with Aruna herself to expand on these questions and more.

Q: Where did the story idea for Harrison Braves The Hill come from?

A: The idea just evolved. I’d be lying if I said I had a plan. I realise now that Harrison is probably my own inner child watching my own children learn self confidence and courage to face the unknown: first days at new schools, performing in concerts, travelling alone and going off to Uni. It doesn’t stop for any of us in life; I still find myself taking deep breaths and climbing new hills!

Dolly Dog, I think, is the parent I for one aspire to be — quietly supportive…