Author Biography: Manisha Barhate Manisha Barhate is a storyteller, nature enthusiast, and advocate for the magic of childhood imagination. Born and raised in the lush, story-rich landscapes of Maharashtra, India, she grew up listening to monsoon tales spun by her grandmother and chasing fireflies through mango orchards—experiences that planted the seeds for her lifelong love of whimsical, nature-inspired storytelling. An engineer with a passion in childhood development, Manisha is passionate about crafting stories and poems that ignite empathy, curiosity, and joy in young readers. Her work blends lyrical prose with gentle life lessons, often drawing inspiration from the forests, rivers, and creatures she encountered during her treks across India’s Western Ghats. Manisha lives in Perth (Australia) with her family, a well-loved library of vintage storybooks, and a perpetually ink-stained notebook for capturing whispers from the natural world. Fun Facts: -She once taught a classroom of 6-year-olds to write poems about talking frogs. -Her favourite writing snack is masala chai and jaggery-dusted peanuts. -She dreams of opening a storytelling treehouse library for children. “Stories are the roots that connect us—to each other, to nature, and to the brave, kind hearts we’re all meant to grow.” — Manisha Barhate