Process Talk: Nadia Salomon on Goodnight Ganesha

Photo courtesy of Nadia Salomon

When I heard about Nadia Salomon’s new picture book, Goodnight Ganesha, illustrated by Poonam Mistry, I knew I had to talk to Nadia about it. After all, it was Ganesha who showed me the way to writing for children with the publication of The Broken Tusk.

Also, the name of this blog practically demands this conversation.

[Uma] Nadia Salomon, I love hearing how writing took place through revision! Talk about about how this book was a challenge that turned into a lark and then into a tribute song to grandparents, grandchildren, and incidentally also to Margaret Wise Brown’s classic, Goodnight Moon.

[Nadia] I was challenged by my child to write a bedtime story that featured our family and our bedtime routine. At first I shrugged it off and said maybe someone else could write it. But then Big-10 said, well, why not you Manmie? You're a writer. Why can't you write it? At the time, Big-10 was only seven. It really struck a chord in me and I remember talking to my family about it, then I got the same response from my husband and mom-in-law. When you have your child and then the whole family onboard, you can't really not act upon such a challenge.

So, one night after reading Goodnight Moon, I heard a whisper in my ear. Then Goodnight Ganesha came to mind. And then I wrote a 136 word Goodnight poem in the same vein as Goodnight Moon, but it just flowed onto the pages as Goodnight Ganesha. It was October of 2017. I sent this hot potato or 'lark' story to my critique partners. They loved it and pushed me to keep revising it and make it my own. So, that's where the ode to Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon kicked off my journey of Goodnight Ganesha. The tribute song to grandparents and grandchildren - just happened. It made sense to write about our bedtime routine when we visit with family in India, especially when we go to our Nainamma's house in Hyderabad.

[Uma] As you developed the book, what was it about your own experiences and background that shaped this story?

[Nadia] In the US, it feels so taboo to co-sleep with your parents, grandparents, or relatives. In my case, my ninen (Godmother) or cousins. As we know, in many immigrant households, that's normal and it's what we do. Bedtime is usually the equivalent of a slumber party, but with family.

Aside from writing this story at the urging of my child, it was also an opportunity to share the universality of bedtime routines. It doesn't matter where we are from, we have bedtime routines that incorporate different routines and traditions. Maybe a special meal, some form of storytelling - oral or through books, lights out and 'saying goodnight'. My family told stories - sometimes about family history, the different journeys to the US, silly jokes, monster tales or some kind of folklore.

And of course, I had to write this story to answer my child who wanted to see himself reflected in books.

[Uma] Every book teaches a writer something. What did writing this book teach you?

[Nadia] I learned that while I wrote Goodnight Ganesha to answer my child, unbeknownst to me, I was also writing for the Desi community, other immigrant communities who are also looking to see themselves or closest to themselves represented in a commercial bedtime story. Something so universal, but yet not always viewed from the person of color gaze. It also opened my eyes to privilege. Until I partnered with The Pajama Program, I did not realize how much privilege so many of us have in terms of having a loved one to read us a bedtime story. Kids in Foster homes, in refugee camps, and the like aren't always as fortunate. That's why I wanted to do my part to help out however I could by hosting a book drive and possibly doing more with this wonderful organization. Writing Goodnight Ganesha taught me, that although bedtime is universal, how fortunate my family is to be able to share something so special, while another child here or around the world may not have that privilege. It taught me to be mindful and thankful for organizations like this.

Thank you, Nadia! With Ganesha on board, I don’t have to say “Good luck!”