Arshaan Lakhani: A young author on the rise

For parents in Pakistan, not a lot of options exist when it comes to books for children written by local authors. The small selection available tends to feature works by adult authors who attempt to appeal to a young child’s mind.

Enter Arshaan Lakhani. At just 10 years old, he has already made his mark on the literary world with the release of ‘Kidnapped’, his debut novella for kids. Although the book was published quite recently, it was completed by the Karachi Grammar School student — currently in Class 6 — before his 10th birthday.

Described as "whimsical, wacky, and full of wonders" by renowned author Aamer Hussein, who wrote ‘Another GulMohar Tree’, ‘Kidnapped’ follows the adventures of a young boy and his family as they journey from London to Italy. As Hussein describes it, the story unfolds "in cities that come to life in the imagination of the then nine-year-old author."

"I haven’t read anything so enjoyable and entertaining from a child writer since the stories of the young Daisy Ashford," Hussein adds in his blurb for the book, emphasising Arshaan's natural flair for writing, driven by his vivid imagination and passion. The book is accompanied by some exceptionally beautiful illustrations that transport readers both young and old to the world Arshaan describes.