Prameet Dhaliwal, a 32-year-old author from Dulwich, has recently made her debut in the world of children’s literature with her book, The Girl and Her Globe. Inspired by her own experiences of feeling culturally unrepresented in British children’s literature while growing up, Dhaliwal’s book aims to empower young South Asian girls to dream big and believe in their potential to make a difference in the world.
Growing up in Coventry as the second child of a third-generation family from the Punjab region of India, Dhaliwal felt a lack of accurate South Asian characters in the fiction she read as a child. She longed to see characters who resembled her own background and aspirations, rather than the dull stereotypes that often populated the pages of the books she read in the 1990s.
Reflecting on her childhood experiences, Dhaliwal shared, “I wanted to read about girls like me, with ambition, curiosity, and drive – and see what they could become or achieve.” Her desire to fill this gap in representation led her to write The Girl and Her Globe, a story that follows a young South Asian girl on a journey to explore different communities and cultures, discovering the importance of connection and rootedness in her environment along the way.
Despite recent progress in the representation of black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) characters in children’s literature, with 30% of books published in 2022 featuring BAME characters compared to just 4% in 2017, Dhaliwal believes there is still work to be done. She recognizes the importance of diverse representation in empowering young readers to see themselves reflected in the stories they read and encouraging them to dream beyond societal expectations.
In addition to her work as an author, Dhaliwal is the founder of Girls in Movement, an initiative that advocates for improved education for girls around the world by investing in village schools. Inspired by her grandmother, who dreamed of becoming a teacher but was married at a young age, Dhaliwal is passionate about ensuring that young girls have access to educational opportunities and the freedom to pursue their dreams.
Through her podcast, also titled Girls in Movement, Dhaliwal amplifies the voices of women and girls who are breaking barriers and making a difference in their communities. With guests like journalist Stacey Dooley and radio/TV presenter Nihal Arathanayke, the podcast serves as a platform for inspiring stories of empowerment and resilience.
Reflecting on the legacy of her grandparents, who defied societal expectations and pursued their dreams against the odds, Dhaliwal is motivated to challenge generational stereotypes and encourage others to be bold in their pursuits. She believes that by breaking barriers and embracing their true potential, individuals can leave a lasting impact on the world around them.
As The Girl and Her Globe continues to inspire young readers to dream big and embrace their cultural identities, Dhaliwal’s work stands as a testament to the power of representation, education, and empowerment in shaping the future generation. With her dedication to uplifting girls and women globally, she is paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a difference.
To learn more about Prameet Dhaliwal and her children’s book, The Girl and Her Globe, visit https://girlsinmovement.com.