By Krithika & Yvonne - Co-Founders - Little Owl Stories

As children of immigrants growing up in the West, the stories we read often didn’t reflect the world we knew. Sure, there were tales about Easter and Christmas, but those weren’t the celebrations that filled our homes with light, color, and joy. Diwali, Navaratri, Chinese New Year—these were the festivals that shaped our childhoods. Yet, these vibrant traditions were conspicuously absent in the books we found at school or in libraries.

We couldn’t help but wonder: why weren’t our celebrations part of the larger story? Why didn’t other children learn about and celebrate these occasions with us?

These questions lingered well into our teenage years and early adulthood, leaving us with a quiet but persistent feeling of being unseen. It wasn’t just about the way we looked—it was about the cultural experiences that shaped our identities. Without representation, it became harder to embrace the uniqueness of our heritage.

It wasn’t until much later in life that we began to fully embrace our identities, wearing them as a badge of pride rather than a source of self-consciousness. But looking back, we wish we could have told our younger selves to stand tall and feel valued. And while confidence grows with time, we recognize that the books, stories, and shows that surrounded us during those formative years played a pivotal role in shaping how we saw ourselves—and how others saw us.

So, we decided to change that narrative.

At Little Owl Stories, our mission is simple yet transformative: to create the largest library of culturally rich, personalized children’s books that represent every child—not just through their physical features but also through the traditions, culture, and heritage that make them uniquely special.

We want children to feel truly seen and celebrated, not only for who they are but also for the richness of their backgrounds. We want them to open a book and find not just a character that looks like them, but one that lives and breathes the same traditions they do.

Today, 70% of children’s books still fail to reflect the multicultural fabric of our society. And while strides have been made in recent years, particularly in mainstream children’s literature, there is still a glaring gap in the personalized book market. For children growing up in multicultural families or communities, the need for stories that reflect the duality—or multiplicity—of their identities is more important than ever.

At Little Owl Stories, we’ve started this journey with our debut series, which celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights. These books not only teach children about Diwali’s vibrant traditions but also instill the deeper values of the festival—family, love, and hope. The joy of seeing themselves represented in the pages of a book is an unforgettable experience for children and their families alike.

But this is just the beginning.

Our vision is to expand far beyond Diwali, creating stories that celebrate Eid, Lunar New Year and countless other festivals and traditions. We aim to ensure that every child—regardless of their cultural background—can find a story where they feel at home.

Ultimately, our goal is to see our books on the shelves of libraries, schools, and households worldwide, becoming a cherished part of childhood memories. We want to raise a generation of children who not only feel pride in their own identities but also develop empathy and appreciation for the rich diversity of the world around them.

Representation matters. And through Little Owl Stories, we’re building a world where every child can see themselves in the stories they love.

To purchase one of our personalized children’s books, you can visit us at www.littleowlstories.com. 

You can also follow us on Instagram at @littleowlstories to keep up to date on the latest news and get behind the scenes access on what we are working on.