Uma Krishnaswami
Encyclopedia
Uma Krishnaswami is an author of picture books and novels for children, and a writing teacher. She is “recognized as a major voice in the expanding of international and multicultural young adult fiction and children’s literature.”
, India
. She received a degree in political science
, and a Masters degree in social work
from University of Delhi
in India
. In 1979, she and her husband moved to the United States where she received an additional graduate degree. They have one son. She lives in Aztec, New Mexico
.
Her first published story appeared in Children’s World, a magazine published in India, when she was thirteen. Her stories and poems have been published in Cricket, Highlights
and Cicada. Her books, which include picture books, collections of stories of India, non-fiction books, and novels, are published in English, Spanish, Hindi, Tamil and six other languages.
Chachaji's Cup, one of Krishnaswami's picture books, was adapted into a musical and performed during 2010 in several theaters in both New York City and California.
Krishnaswami was a founding co-director of the Bisti Writing Project, a site of the National Writing Project
in New Mexico
. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
and a nonresident member of The Children's Book Guild
of Washington DC. She has taught writing to adults and children for years, and for over ten years she was the writer in residence at the Aztec Ruins National Monument
. During that time she also taught writing classes online through Writers on the Net. She currently teaches in the MFA
in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Biography
Uma Krishnaswami was born in 1956 in New DelhiNew Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. She received a degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, and a Masters degree in social work
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
from University of Delhi
University of Delhi
The University of Delhi is a central university situated in Delhi, India and is funded by Government of India. Established in 1922, it offers courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the Chancellor of the university...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In 1979, she and her husband moved to the United States where she received an additional graduate degree. They have one son. She lives in Aztec, New Mexico
Aztec, New Mexico
Aztec is a city in San Juan County, New Mexico, United States. It is part of the Farmington, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 6,378 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of San Juan County...
.
Her first published story appeared in Children’s World, a magazine published in India, when she was thirteen. Her stories and poems have been published in Cricket, Highlights
Highlights for Children
Highlights for Children is an American children's magazine. It began publication in June 1946, started by Garry Cleveland Myers and his wife Caroline Clark Myers in Honesdale, Pennsylvania...
and Cicada. Her books, which include picture books, collections of stories of India, non-fiction books, and novels, are published in English, Spanish, Hindi, Tamil and six other languages.
Chachaji's Cup, one of Krishnaswami's picture books, was adapted into a musical and performed during 2010 in several theaters in both New York City and California.
Krishnaswami was a founding co-director of the Bisti Writing Project, a site of the National Writing Project
National Writing Project
The National Writing Project is a United States professional development network that serves teachers of writing at all grade levels, primary through university, and in all subjects...
in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is a nonprofit, 5013 organization that acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people.The...
and a nonresident member of The Children's Book Guild
Guild
A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade. The earliest types of guild were formed as confraternities of workers. They were organized in a manner something between a trade union, a cartel, and a secret society...
of Washington DC. She has taught writing to adults and children for years, and for over ten years she was the writer in residence at the Aztec Ruins National Monument
Aztec Ruins National Monument
The Aztec Ruins National Monument preserves ancestral Pueblo structures in north-western New Mexico, United States, located close to the town of Aztec and northeast of Farmington, near the Animas River...
. During that time she also taught writing classes online through Writers on the Net. She currently teaches in the MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Awards
- Naming Maya was recognized as a Notable Book for a Global Society by the International Reading AssociationInternational Reading AssociationThe International Reading Association is an international professional organization that was created in 1956 to improve reading instruction, facilitate dialogue about research on reading, and encourage the habit of reading....
in 2005.
- The Broken Tusk: Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha was given the Scientific AmericanScientific AmericanScientific American is a popular science magazine. It is notable for its long history of presenting science monthly to an educated but not necessarily scientific public, through its careful attention to the clarity of its text as well as the quality of its specially commissioned color graphics...
Young Readers Award in 1997.
Picture Books
- Out of the Way! Out of the Way! (2010)
- Remembering Grandpa (2007)
- Bringing Asha Home (2006)
- The Closet Ghosts (2006)
- The Happiest Tree (2005)
- MonsoonMonsoonMonsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
(2003) - Chachaji's Cup (2003)
Retold Story Collections
- The Broken Tusk: Stories of the HinduHinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
God GaneshaGaneshaGanesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
(2006, 1996) - Shower of Gold: Girls and Women in the Stories of IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(1999) - Stories of the Flood (1994)
Short Fiction
- “The Gift,” in Period Pieces (2003)
- “Going to Kashi,” in Soul Searching (2002)
Co-Authored
- Many Windows : Six Kids, Five Faiths, One Community. Written with Rukhsana KhanRukhsana KhanRukhsana Khan is an award-winning Pakistani Canadian children's author, writer, and storyteller whose "stories have enabled children of all cultures to connect with cultures of Eastern origins."-Biography:...
and Elisa Lynn Carbone (2008)
Interviews
- Appelt, Kathi. "Uma Krishnaswami- 'Out of the Way! Out of the Way!' " Calloo Callay. Aug 1, 2010.
- Courtot, Marilyn. “Meet Authors and Illustrators Q&A with Uma Krishnaswami.” Children’s Literature, Independent Information and Reviews. 2009.
- Blevis, Mark. "Interview with Uma Krishnaswami." Just One More Book. Jan 1, 2007.
- Aldama, Frederick Luis. “Uma Krishnaswami and International Imaginings.” Journal of Children’s Literature. Fall 2006. Volume 32, issue 2. p 60-65.
- Pereira, Aline. “Interview with Uma Krishnaswami.” PaperTigers.org, A Pacific Rim Voices Project. May 2006.
- Leitich Smith, Cynthia. “Author Update: Uma Krishnaswami.” Cynsations. Sep 18 2005.
- Leitich Smith, Cynthia. “Interview with Children’s Book Author, Uma Krishnaswami.” Children’s and YA Literature Resources.
- Courtot, Marilyn. Meet Authors and Illustrators: Uma Krishnaswami. Children’s Literature, Independent Information and Reviews. 1999.
External links
- http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n2001-147500| Works by Uma Krishnaswami in libraries (WorldCatWorldCatWorldCat is a union catalog which itemizes the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries and territories which participate in the Online Computer Library Center global cooperative...
catalog) ] at http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n2001-147500 - Uma Krishnaswami's blog