Farrah Riaz & Navya Raju: The Twirly Wiggly Dance
About Author
Farrah Riaz is a London-based author from a Hindustani background. Creating characters in all sorts of narratives brings her a lot of joy. When she isn't living in fantastical worlds or spending time with her loved ones, she works in Higher Education. The Twirly Wiggly Dance is Farrah's debut picture book. Find Farrah on X @FarrahRiaz
Navya Raju is an illustrator-storyteller based in Hyderabad, a multicultural city in India, with an academic background in Architecture. When she's not drawing or writing you can find her making some really fun playlists, collecting quirky trinkets and stationery, and visiting bakeries! Find Navya on X @navyarajuart
Interview
The Twirly Wiggly Dance (Oxford University Press)
August 2024
Featuring a South Asian Muslim wedding, group dancing and finding your own beat, The Twirly Wiggly Dance is a gorgeous, warm-hearted picture book about a little girl who is asked to dance at her aunt's wedding - but who struggles to get the dance right.
We spoke with author Farrah Riaz and illustrator Navya Raju to find out more about how the picture book was created, and the story's message of persistence, finding our own way through problems, and talking about your worries.
Q&A with Farrah Riaz & Navya Raju, introducing The Twirly Wiggly Dance
"The Twirly Wiggly Dance is a story about dancing to your own beat. I love that it's a fun tale set in a
South Asian wedding atmosphere, teaching the importance of embracing your uniqueness."
1. We'd love to know a bit more about you, and how you got started in writing for children?
Farrah: I live in London, and I work in Higher Education. I started writing in 2019, enrolled in picture book and novel writing courses online and met my lovely agent (also online) during lockdown at a writing festival. My writer friends are a huge source of inspiration for my writing career. I feel very thankful to have met so many different types of writers. The prolific ones are wise and tell me it's a long haul, and I know that everyone must start somewhere.
Navya: I think of myself as a storyteller, currently shuffling between Manchester and Hyderabad. Besides writing and illustrating fun stories, I also do campaign design and visual communication for brands. Growing up, I was a pesky, curious, crafty kid with a hyperactive imagination. My love for reading and stories fuelled my creativity and discovering the works of Benji Davies, Julia Sarda, and Mary Blair inspired me greatly. Their captivating world-building and cinematic styles sparked my imagination.
2. Can you tell us about your new picture book, The Twirly Wiggly Dance?
Farrah: The main character is called Intisar. She is super excited about her favourite Auntie Mahira's wedding and doubly excited to be asked to perform in the big group dance at the end of the festivities. As she practises, she realises there is one move she isn't able to do and ends up making up her own move. She is rather chuffed with it, but then her perfect moves, older cousin Isla tells her she is doing the routine incorrectly, and Intisar questions her ability to participate in the dance.
Navya: The Twirly Wiggly Dance is a story about dancing to your own beat. I love that it's a fun tale set in a South Asian wedding atmosphere, teaching the importance of embracing your uniqueness. Farrah Riaz hit it out of the park with the amazing characters inspired by her own family. Intisar is such an adorable character and she's super relatable. It's a warm story with a lot of funny mishaps and groovy characters.
3. What inspired you to write / illustrate a picture book about a wedding and what did you want to celebrate in this story?
Farrah: I went to A LOT of weddings when I was younger, and the more memorable ones are woven into the fabric of my childhood. In this story, I wanted to show a big family event that feels really important to everyone around the child; we often remember the first one we were excited about and had a fantastic time at.
Navya: To be honest, dancing in a public setting is the most nerve-wracking thing for me because I never got the move right, so this book naturally stood out to me - Intisar reminded me so much of myself, and the story was so unique and colourful; I could immediately visualize it! I took some iconic moves from Bollywood movies and gave them to certain characters, so you could say I was vicariously living through them. As a kid, I often enjoyed spotting quirky, funny details on the second and third read. I hope I've created something that everyone will enjoy revisiting.
4. How did you decide to approach the illustrations for the picture book, and did you need to do any research for the images?
Navya: I start by reading the text repeatedly to get a feel for the book and the rhythm of the story. The first thing I do after reading the story is build a visual library and start on some loose character sketches, scribbling little nuggets until I find something concrete. Farrah and the Oxford team gave me notes on the characters, many of whom were inspired by Farrah's family and childhood.
I love creating mood boards and treating each story like a movie, often taking inspiration from films and screenshotting visuals for their composition. I also browse a lot of bridal sites and Pinterest to gather outfit and décor inspiration. I created very detailed colour studies for every spread because it was vital to work out how the colour would flow throughout the book.
After lots of back-and-forth emailing, we reach a point where the text and sketches blend and feel secure. That's when my favourite part comes in, I get to move to full-colour spreads. I then take things digitally, add a splash of colour, and incorporate further details.
5. Do you each have a favourite spread or moment in the story?
Farrah: Oooo, choosing just one spread- gotta be the last one because it's a large group photo which encompasses what weddings should be like. Everyone having fun. My favourite quiet moment is when Intisar tells Mum she doesn't want to do the dance anymore and Mum is immediately loving and supportive.
Navya: I particularly like the spread where the whole family comes together to dance. It's such a fun spread, full of details to notice!
6. Intisar has tried hard but still can't manage a tricky move in the Walima dance. What would you like young children to take from Intisar's experiences? How can adults sharing the story extend this with their children?
Farrah: For a child, it feels very significant to be given a task - a sense of responsibility because they have been trusted to do this important thing. And I do believe that children try their best. I don't see small children going nah, I'm not doing that. Children can be very eager and earnest, and I wanted to show Intisar trying and practising and taking her role seriously. Trying hard is good, but when Intisar reaches her limit, she tells Mum. I want children to know that if you're getting wound up or upset, it's time to tell a grown-up. I hope the adults reading this story discuss this important turning point and encourage children to tell an adult if they are sad, unhappy, or upset. And that they won't get told off for expressing their fears and concerns.
Navya: Intisar's journey shows that it's okay to struggle with certain tasks and that what truly matters is enjoying the process and being oneself, rather than striving for perfection. Additionally, the extra pages with non-fiction information about Muslim wedding events provide a wonderful opportunity to educate children about different cultures and traditions. Adults can use these pages to discuss the significance of each event, encouraging curiosity and respect for cultural diversity. This can be a springboard for broader conversations about various cultural practices and the beauty of celebrating differences.
8. Why did you want to include more about South Asian Muslim weddings in the pages at the back of the book - what do you think most stands out for you in these celebrations?
Farrah: I wanted to include the four events as they are usually the ones most South-Asians celebrate. Each event has its customs, and with that, different outfits, themes, music etc. Having a wedding backdrop felt natural and an obvious choice as we follow Intisar's journey. I wanted to show children how fun it can be to be a part of a big celebration, as it's mostly about playing and having fun.
Navya: For me, the most standout aspect of these celebrations is the vibrant mix of traditions, colors, and joyful communal spirit. Each event, from the Mehndi to the Walima, is filled with rich cultural significance, beautiful attire, lively music, and heartfelt moments shared with family and friends. It's this blend of festivity and tradition that makes South Asian Muslim weddings truly unforgettable.
7. Do you have your own 'twirly wiggly dance' when you've faced a problem and found your own way to overcome it?
Farrah: I have a lot of Twirly Wigglys! And, of course, it depends on what the problem is. Not all problems can be resolved by trying hard and practising. But if it can be, I always do that first. Trying so I have no regrets is very important to me because then, with a deep breath, I can let it go! Also - getting things done - if it's my version of 'perfect', then great, but if not quite perfect, is it 'good enough', 'passable'? (Like making videos!)
Navya: Absolutely! Everyone has their own 'twirly wiggly dance' when tackling problems. For me, it's all about getting creative when I'm in a jam. I take a breather, soak up some inspiration, and experiment with different ideas until something sparks. Just like Intisar, I remind myself that it's perfectly fine to stumble because the adventure of figuring things out and growing along the way is what counts!
9. Are you involved in other picture book projects currently? Where do you prefer to write, and where do you go for inspiration?
Farrah: I have a lot of book projects on the go. I write at home, preferably with closed doors, so that I can focus. I need the quiet to concentrate on the story in my little bubble. I don't have any specific physical places where I go for inspiration. My mind is place enough for all the crammed ideas it currently houses! Small moments of observation can also trigger a story, whether around people, books, or TV/film. However, most of my ideas stem from my own experiences, and I decide if it has the makings of becoming a story I expand it.
Navya: I'm currently diving into some exciting picture books and a middle-grade chapter book, all set in vibrant, quirky settings, coming out this year and next. It's been a whirlwind year with all the publishing hustle, but I'm incredibly grateful for my fabulous agent's help. Plus, I'm cooking up some secret personal projects on the side -- shh, announcements coming soon! I usually illustrate in libraries, cafes, and parks, constantly switching up my surroundings to keep the inspiration flowing. I love people-watching and sometimes sneak them into my pages.
10. What kinds of activities do you enjoy in your down-time, when you're not working? Are there any celebrations you're looking forward to being part of this summer?
Farrah: This summer is all about the book coming out, so I'm equally terrified and excited to do the events following the release. Meeting the children and the adults who have read the story to them will be great. My downtime consists of reading and watching a tonne of TV. I watch A LOT. I also love going to the theatre and movies, eating out, spending time with people I care about, and talking for hours. I talk a lot. Seriously. Ask any of my friends.
Navya: Apart from reading and listening to podcasts, I love picking up new skills and diving into new hobbies. I often catch up with friends at craft sessions. One of these days, I plan to make miniature figurines of my characters, it's on my to-do list! I enjoy wandering the city, and discovering interesting nooks and crannies. This summer has been packed with deadlines, but I managed to sneak away for a Stevie Nicks concert. It was a dream come true and an absolutely fabulous howl!
The Twirly Wiggly Dance
