From listening to his Mom tell him bed- time stories, to story time in school, Ranchi boy 9- year old Kavan Kislaya has started writing his own novels. His first book titled ‘Simba Capeman’ published in September 2019 has been one of the best sellers amongst children and has been flying off the book store shelves alongside Tintin.
Born in Ranchi, the budding writer moved to Nairobi with his parents in 2014. A student of Braeburn International School, Kislaya is presently in year 4 and wants to become an author.
“From listening to telling, I have slowly graduated to writing stories. Initially I would fold an A4 size paper, give it a shape of a book and write different stories. I have been reading superhero stories for a while. I started writing adventures about one called Capeman as all of them wear a cape. Lions are my favourite animal and are called ‘Simba’ in the local language here. Hence, my book is called ‘Simba Capeman’. I started writing a few short stories on my favourite character and never stopped,” said Kislaya.
Talking about his novel, the author said, “Simba Capeman is the greatest superhero on earth with a lion’s heart and blood. He can see and hear everything and can also lift the heaviest of weights. It is said that he has a third eye.”
The book is available online on the portals of Crossword and Amazon and also offline across all retails Crossword outlets globally. The young author has also started a series of digital stories on Simba Capeman which can be read on his website www.simbacapeman.com.
Inspired by the famous author Ronald Dahl, Kislaya has also been nominated in Kenya for the young achiever award- The TAWAA Award.
Apart from reading and writing stories, Kislaya is also fond of drawing, swimming, cricket and playing the guitar. “To be honest, I read a lot. At airports I enter a bookstore, pick a book and read it through the journey. When I score well, I ask my father to buy me a book of my choice. I have read more than 200 books so far,” added the budding author.
Residents of Professors’ Colony Karamtoli, Kislaya visits his hometown to see his maternal and paternal family with his parents twice a year. His father Krishna Manohar Kislaya was born and brought up in Ranchi and is presently an HR professional and works for Safaricom while his mother Rakhi Kislaya is a PhD scholar and a teacher by profession.
“My parents have been my biggest source of inspiration who always encourage me to write more stories. I didn’t know what a best seller is and once asked my father if I can have one in my name as well. They are proud of me that I have written a book at such a young age and also inspired many other kids to do so,” said a beaming Kislaya.
The author has an ongoing contest on his Instagram account simbacapeman, Facebook page simbacapeman book and Twitter handle Simbacapmen where winners have a chance to win a copy of the book. His second book Simba Capeman: Mission Underground is presently in print and will soon be available for avid readers.