Children’s book author Bhakti Mathur is Hong Kong’s first bibliotherapist

Children’s book author and career coach Bhakti Mathur is Hong Kong’s first qualified bibliotherapist. She recently released her nineteenth book, Amma Tell Me About the Avatars of Vishnu (Part 2- Kurma). Here, Bhakti discusses her latest book and shares why bibliotherapy is becoming popular in the coaching industry.

Congratulations on your new book. What’s it about? 

Thank you! Amma Tell Me About the Avatars of Vishnu (Part 2- Kurma) follows Amma, Klaka and Kiki through one of the most fascinating tales from Hindu mythology. Arch enemies, the Devas and Asuras, come together to churn the great ocean to seek divine Amrita. Vishnu, the God of Preservation, assumes the form of Kurma, a tortoise. The Devas eventually overcome the Asuras with the help of an enchantress, and the story explains how the notorious Rahu and Ketu came to be. Interestingly, the avatars of Vishnu trace the evolution of life on earth.

What ignited your passion for books? 

My mother was a librarian and an avid reader in Delhi, where I was born. The first book I clearly remember her reading to me was Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who; I fell in love with it. I spent a lot of time in libraries devouring books. My grandmother and nanny inspired my passion for Indian mythology. Every day after school, they’d tell me fascinating tales about myriad Hindu Gods.

How did you get into writing? 

At Delhi University, I graduated in Economics with a postgraduate degree in Finance from Delhi University. I moved to Hong Kong with my husband and spent 22 years in banking. Our sons were born in Hong Kong, and I wanted to educate them about Indian mythology and the Indian festivals I celebrated as a child. 

I quit my career in banking to spend more time with my children. I had more time to focus on writing and obtained a Master’s in Creative Writing from Hong Kong University. My first book was about the Indian festival of colour: Amma Tell Me About Holi!. There began a series, Amma Tell Me. I set up my own publishing company called Anjana Publishing (Anjana is the mother of my favourite God, the Monkey God, Hanuman). 

Who are your books for? 

I now have two series: Amma Tell Me for children aged 3-8 years and Amma Take Me for children aged 8-12. The books are perfect for families wanting to share stories of Indian mythology and history with their children or for educators looking for a resource on Hindu culture for their students. 

You’re Hong Kong’s first bibliotherapist. What is bibliotherapy?

The use of the written word for therapeutic purposes has been known for millennia. From ancient Egyptians and Greek philosophers to post-World War One, when doctors prescribed books to soldiers to help them deal with trauma. Bibliotherapy combines the Greek words ‘biblion’, meaning books, and ‘therapia’, meaning healing. A bibliotherapist recommends books to help clients navigate psychological, emotional, and social issues. 

Today, bibliotherapy is widely used by therapists, along with other tools, to treat anxiety, depression, loneliness, PTSD, addiction and grief. Books have the power to educate, inform, entertain, and heal; a trained bibliotherapist focuses on the last part, ‘healing.’

What role does literature play in promoting mental well-being?

Reading fiction increases empathy. We are better able to view ourselves subjectively and better understand others’ points of view and situations. This helps us understand that we are not alone and that our experiences are not unique. 

When we read about something happening to a character, the same parts of the brain are activated as if the situation were happening to us. To better understand this, I recommend Rita Carter’s TED Talk Why Reading Matters. In it, Rita discusses the benefits of reading just a few pages of fiction daily on the brain. 

Which books do you frequently recommend to your clients? 

For finding meaning and purpose in life, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl, The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham, The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

Creative Visualisation by Shakti Gawain. For grief: Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Adichie and Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. 

What’s next in your writing career? 

My twentieth book is in the works. Set in the hill forts of Rajasthan, Amma travels with her two children to the magnificent forts of Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, and Amer in an attempt to revive the rich history, culture, and traditions of the brave warrior kings of Rajasthan.

Bhakti Mathur is a bibliotherapist, executive coach, and author of two best-selling books for children on Indian mythology and history, the ‘Amma Tell Me’ and ‘Amma Take Me Series’. To learn more about her career coaching and bibliotherapy sessions, email bhakti@reflectwithbhakti.com or visit her websites, www.bhaktimathur.com www.reflectwithbhakti.com and www.bookswithb.net.