World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Uma Krishnaswami

ウマ・クリシュナスワミ

Uma Krishnaswami

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1956-01-01 （New Delhi, India）
Nationality
India, United States, Canada
Languages
English, Hindi
Residence History
New Delhi (birthplace) → Aztec, New Mexico (long-term residence) → Victoria, British Columbia (current)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Writing teacher
Active Years
1990-
Affiliations
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (member), CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers), Vermont College of Fine Arts (MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults faculty)
Memberships
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (member), CANSCAIP (member)

Education

University of Delhi
Political Science (BA), Social Work (MA/MSW)
Degree: BA; Master's in Social Work
Period: 1970年代（正確な在籍年不明）
Country: India
Holds a degree in political science and a master's degree in social work
University of Maryland, College Park
Graduate studies (unspecified)
Degree: Graduate degree
Period: 1979年以降（在籍年不詳）
Country: United States
Completed additional graduate studies in the United States

Awards

Scientific American Young Readers Award
1997
Work: The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha
Organization: Scientific American
Result: 受賞
Notable Book For a Global Society
2005
Work: Naming Maya
Organization: International Literacy Association
Result: 選出
Scholastic Asian Book Award (Grand Prize)
2011
Work: Book Uncle and Me
Organization: Scholastic
Result: 受賞
Crossword Book Award (Children's Literature)
2013
Work: Book Uncle and Me
Category: Children's Literature
Organization: Crossword Book Awards
Result: 受賞
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
2018
Work: Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh
Organization: Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)
Result: 受賞
USBBY Outstanding International Books List
2017
Work: Book Uncle and Me
Organization: United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
Result: 選出
Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Books of the Year
2022
Work: Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World
Organization: Bank Street College of Education
Result: 選出
Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Books of the Year
2022
Work: Two at the Top: A Shared Dream of Everest
Organization: Bank Street College of Education
Result: 選出

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World

2021 Middle grade, Non-fiction

Introduces children to the lives and influences of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., presenting lessons about peace and activism.

peacecivil rightshistorical education

Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh

2017 Middle grade

Follows Maria Singh as she grows through sports and friendships, discovering herself and her strengths.

coming of agesportsfamily

Book Uncle and Me

2012 Middle grade

A child's-eye view of politics and community, showing growth and civic awareness through the relationship with a beloved 'book uncle.'

civic engagementfriendshipeducation

The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha

1996 Retold stories, Children's folklore

A collection of retold stories about the Hindu god Ganesha, adapted for young readers.

mythologycultural transmissionmoral lessons

Two at the Top: A Shared Dream of Everest

2021 Picture book

A picture book about two people who share a dream of climbing Everest, exploring friendship and determination.

adventurefriendshipperseverance

Chachaji's Cup

2003 Picture book

A picture book about family, tradition, and memory; it has been adapted into a stage musical performed in several theaters.

familymemoryculture
Adaptations
  • [Stage musical] Tea with Chachaji (stage adaptation) (2012)

Bibliography

  • Threads of Peace: How Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the World (2021)
  • Two at the Top: A Shared Dream of Everest (2021)
  • Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh (2017)
  • Book Uncle and Me (2012, 2016)
  • The Grand Plan to Fix Everything (2011)
  • The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha (1996, 2006)
  • Chachaji's Cup (2003)
  • Monsoon (2003)
  • Bringing Asha Home (2006)
  • Remembering Grandpa (2007)

Adaptations

  • Stage adaptation 'Tea with Chachaji' based on Chachaji's Cup performed in New York and California

Translations of Works

  • Translated into Hindi, Tamil and 12 other languages

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Warm, clear prose with a multicultural perspectiveChild-centered, conversational voice
Recurring Motifs
familycultural identitymigration and roots

Legacy

Uma Krishnaswami is recognized as a major voice in international and multicultural children's literature, conveying diversity and civic themes across picture books and middle-grade novels. She has also played a mentoring role in education, nurturing many writers.

Academic Societies

  • Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
  • CANSCAIP

Archives

  • WorldCat (library holdings and identity)

In Popular Culture

  • Stage musical adaptation of Chachaji's Cup ('Tea with Chachaji')

Quotes

  • Recognized as a major voice in the expanding of international and multicultural young adult fiction and children's literature.
    Source: Journal of Children's Literature (Frederick Luis Aldama, 2006) (2006)

Trivia

  • First published in Children's World at age 13.
  • Served for many years as writer-in-residence at Aztec Ruins National Monument.
  • Holds dual citizenship of the United States and Canada and is an Overseas Citizen of India.