Through children’s stories, I see opportunity to plant seeds early – Mokwunye

With three books, all focused on children, Esosa Mokwunye has consolidated her billing as a children’s book author.

Despite her rich science background across Geology and Computer Science, the mother of two has exhibited proficiency in the arts, through her books.

In this interview, Esosa, who is an IT professional, events planner, mentor and three-time author, shares with Obinna Emelike her passion, inspiration for writing, focus on children and stories with African values, Chizam’s Colorful Journey, her latest release, the next book, efforts at reaching out to more children, impact of her science background on her writing, among other related issues. Excerpt:

For those who are meeting you for the first time, who is Esosa Mokwunye?

Esosa is a children’s book author deeply committed to telling African stories through a lens of warmth, growth, and moral imagination. Writing for me is both a vocation and a childhood dream come to life — ever since I was a young girl, I knew stories had a power not just to entertain but to shape character, to heal, and to affirm identity.

Beyond writing, I wear many hats: IT professional, events planner, mentor, and someone who believes passionately in the importance of grounding children’s literature in African values.

I am also someone whose path spans multiple disciplines — I studied Geology, Computer Science, and later earned a master’s degree in Media and Communication. That blend of science, technology, and creativity shapes the way I see the world and infuses my work with breadth, curiosity, and imagination.

Why the interest in children’s literature?

My interest in children’s literature comes from a recognition: too many young readers, especially in Africa, grow up reading stories that feel disconnected from their own lives — stories that don’t reflect their names, their neighborhoods, or their emotional journeys. I felt a strong pull to contribute narratives that children can not only enjoy but also deeply resonate with. Through children’s stories, I see an opportunity to teach kindness, resilience, self-image, empathy — to plant seeds early. Also, childhood is where imagination blooms, and I want to be part of nurturing that.

How many books have you written so far as an author?

I have published three children’s books: Princess with Scars, Aunty Nene’s Short Stories, and my latest release, Chizam’s Colorful Journey. Each book represents a different facet of childhood — from emotional healing to moral lessons to the joy of creativity and imagination.

What makes your latest book a must-read for children?

Chizam’s Colorful Journey is a celebration of self-discovery and the beauty of exploring the world with an open heart. It encourages children to embrace curiosity, creativity, and the vibrant colours of their personalities.

Like all my work, it is written with warmth and intentionality. The story provides gentle lessons on confidence, expression, and the importance of celebrating one’s uniqueness. Children see themselves in Chizam’s experiences — and parents find meaningful themes they can discuss with their kids.

How are you ensuring that these books reach more children?

Reaching more children is central to my mission. First, through my website esosawrites.com.

I make the books visible and accessible to a broader audience. I also partner with organisations and bookshops that believe in promoting African children’s literature.

Furthermore, there are also plans to invest in school outreach (more on that below), host readings, and leverage social media to create conversation around my books — not just as stories, but as tools for moral and emotional education.

Are you reaching out to schools?

Yes — schools are a vital part of my strategy. I believe that the best way to influence young minds is where they learn: in classrooms, school libraries, and reading corners.

I actively reach out to primary schools to propose reading sessions, story time, and discussion groups based on Aunty Nene’s Short Stories and The Princess with Scars. In doing this, I hope not just to sell books, but to build reading communities: teachers, librarians, and students who see value in stories rooted in African experience.

Beyond the books, what else do you do to engage children?

Beyond writing, I engage children through interactive storytelling sessions, workshops, and live readings. I often facilitate conversations around the themes in my books — like empathy, confidence, healing, discipline and self-image — and encourage children to reflect, draw, or write their own parallel stories. I also mentor young creative writers, helping them find their voice.

In addition, I explore multimedia: turning stories into scripts for dramatized readings, or even short animations, to meet children where they are in a digital age.

Do you think children are reading in today’s computer age?

Absolutely — but the way they read is changing. Yes, many children are glued to screens, but I believe that reading and screens don’t have to be antagonists. Digital reading, interactive story apps, audiobooks — these are all entry points. What matters is making reading relevant and accessible.

My goal is to meet children in that digital space, offering stories that are meaningful and culturally grounded so that reading can compete with, rather than lose out to, other digital distractions.

How do you conceive the idea and theme of your books to ensure that they appeal to children?

My process always begins with observation and empathy. I pay close attention to the world around me: how children speak, what worries them, what delights them. I also reflect on moral and emotional gaps I perceive — for example, how children handle self-image, friendship, failure, or healing.

When conceiving a story, I ask: What moral or emotional truth needs to be told? I then wrap that truth in a narrative that is playful, relatable, and richly imagined, with characters children can root for. I also collaborate with illustrators to ensure the visual dimension supports the narrative in a way that feels joyful and familiar.

Considering your science background, how do you easily switch to arts?

I am very much grounded in the sciences, as I mentioned earlier, but the arts have always been a natural part of me — a language I use to express the themes and values I care about.

My professional journey may be rooted in scientific disciplines, yet I have never seen science and the arts as opposites. Instead, I see them as beautifully complementary.

Science has given me discipline, curiosity, structure, and the ability to observe closely — qualities that are invaluable in writing. The analytical rigor it demands helps me construct thoughtful plots, explore cultural details with accuracy, and create settings that feel authentic and relatable.

Writing, on the other hand, allows me to step into imagination, emotion, and human connection. It gives me the freedom to translate insights into stories that resonate with children.

So, I don’t switch between science and art — I merge them. Science sharpens my mind; storytelling nourishes my soul. Together, they shape the writer I am.

When are you publishing your next book?

I am currently in the conceptual phase for my next book. While I can’t yet share a firm release date, I anticipate publishing within the next 12–18 months.