Inspirational Interview With Author Esther Ngobeni On Her New Book The Adventures of Little Num Num
Inspirational Interview With Author Esther Ngobeni On Her New Book The Adventures of Little Num Num. Children book authors are without a doubt the gifts that keep on giving. They play a vital role in shaping developing minds, instilling empathy, and building early literacy skills. One such is Esther Ngobeni, who has a new book out titled, The Adventures of Little Num Num. We recently caught up with the phenomenal author as she shares her amazing journey, hopes for her book and future plans.
- Can you take us through the story behind The Adventures of Little Num Num.
Answer: The Adventures of Little Num Num is deeply personal. The journey of my book began when I was pregnant with my son, who also inspired the book. During that time, I found myself imagining about the kind of world I wanted him grow up in and the stories I hoped he would one day read with me. That inspired me to write the story as my gift to him. When my son was born, I felt that I owed it to him to expand on the idea and that is why I decided to turn this into our brand and give other families the same experience and love for reading.
I must also admit that bringing our book to life was not an overnight journey. I balanced a full-time career while turning my manuscript into a published book and learning about the book industry along the way. There were challenges, but I stayed committed because I believed in the purpose of behind the story.
The Adventure of Little Num Num is a story about how he experiences life’s smallest adventures, and in this particular adventure, he learns how to plant seeds with his mother. Through the journey, he discovers the joy of patience, growth, and spending quality time together.
- How best can you describe Num Num, the main character in your book?
Answer: Little Num Num is a baby rabbit that is curious, enjoys learning and is super cute! The main character is not afraid to explore and embrace new adventures. I wanted to create a character that children could relate to and that it is important to explore and learn. And in many ways, that’s how I would describe my son.
- What important lessons do you hope for readers, specifically children to draw from Num Num?
Answer: I hope children learn that even the smallest seed has the potential to grow into something amazing. Through the story, I want them to understand that growth takes time and that every small step matters. I also hope that Num Num encourages children to develop a love and appreciation for nature. Planting teaches responsibility, curiosity, and the importance of caring for the world around us.
- With so many book genres out there, what inspired you to specifically write a children’s book?
Answer: I’ve always had a passion for children and have believed in the power of education from a young age. I come from a family that values learning, and I was raised to see education as something that opens doors and creates opportunities. Because of that, I’ve always admired the role books play in shaping young minds.
Children’s books are often the first stories we remember. They spark imagination, build confidence, and encourage curiosity.
When I became a mother, that passion became even stronger. I wanted to create a story that was impactful and a simple activity like planting a seed can teach patience, responsibility, and an appreciation for nature.
- What challenges did you face while writing, and how did you overcome them?
Answer: One of the biggest challenges was deciding what kind of story I wanted to tell and how I wanted to tell it. As a first-time author, I spent a lot of time thinking about the narrative, the characters, and who I wanted the book to speak to. Initially, I considered using human characters, but I eventually chose an animal character because I wanted the story to feel universal and relatable to as many children as possible.
I also paid close attention to the rhythm and flow of the story. I wanted it to be engaging for both children and the adults reading with them, so I focused on creating a story that could be read with enthusiasm while remaining simple enough for children aged 0 to 7 years to enjoy and understand.
Another important decision was choosing my audience. While I love working with children of all ages, I knew I wanted to create something for the foundation phase, where a child’s imagination, curiosity, and love for reading begin to develop.
To overcome these challenges, I did a lot of research, reached out to some of my immediate contacts (friends and family) where I sent through some surveys that they answered, committed to writing consistently, and received feedback from experienced editors. Their positive response gave me confidence that I was on the right path. Looking back, the process was incredibly rewarding. Every challenge helped shape the story into what it is today, and I enjoyed learning and growing as a first-time author.
- As an adult, how did you manage to put young readers first when writing your book?
Answer: I constantly reminded myself that this book wasn’t for adults and that it was for children. Every decision I made, from the language and sentence structure to the pacing and illustrations, was guided by one question: Would a young child understand, enjoy, and stay engaged with this story?
I spent time researching early childhood development and reading children’s books to better understand what captures a child’s attention at different ages. That helped me write in a way that was age-appropriate without losing the sense of wonder and imagination that makes children’s stories so special.
- How long did it take you to write The Adventures of Little Num Num?
Answer: The manuscript itself took me about three months to write. Once the story was complete, the next stage was bringing the characters and their world to life through illustrations, which took more than six months as we carefully refined every detail.
Although the writing process was relatively quick, the journey to publication took much longer. From writing the manuscript to officially launching The Adventures of Little Num Num, it took me three years. During that time, I was navigating the publishing process, reviewing illustrations, making creative decisions, and ensuring the book was something I was truly proud to share.
Looking back, every stage was worth it. Creating a children’s book takes patience, so much like planting a seed. You nurture it over time until it’s ready to bloom, and that’s exactly how this book came to life.
- What support did you get from those around you during the writing of the book?
Answer: I was fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible support system throughout this journey. My family, friends, and colleagues believed in my dream from the very beginning and encouraged me every step of the way.
My older brother, Lebogang Manyala, who is also an author, was a great source of guidance and encouragement. He understood the creative process and offered valuable advice as I navigated publishing my first book.
My biggest supporter, however, has been my mother. She never stopped believing in me, even during the moments when the journey felt overwhelming. She constantly encouraged me to keep going and reminded me why I started. This dream became just as important to her as it was to me, and she stood beside me through every challenge and every milestone.
Publishing a book is never a solo achievement. It takes a village of people who believe in you, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped turn The Adventures of Little Num Num from a dream into a reality.
- How are you promoting your book so it reaches the target readers?
Answer: I’m using social media to share the story behind the book, introduce the characters, and create engaging content that connects with parents.
I’ve also hosted a book launch to celebrate the release and create awareness within my community. I will also be launching an official website very soon, where readers will be able to learn more about The Adventures of Little Num Num, stay up to date with new adventures, events, and exciting announcements.
There are many more amazing plans in the pipeline, so this is just the beginning. Watch this space!
- It has been a week since the release of the book, how has the reception been so far?
Answer: It has been amazing! People have grown curious and the children really enjoy the book.
- Do you have any plans for read-aloud sessions for groups of children?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. Read-aloud sessions are an important part of my vision for the book.
My hope is to host sessions at schools, libraries, bookstores, and community spaces where children can enjoy the story together, ask questions, and be inspired to read.
- Will there be a follow up book, or another book in the future from you?
Answer: Yes, definitely! This is only the beginning of Little Num Num’s journey. I already have ideas for the next adventure, so my Num Num community can be on the lookout for announcements soon.
- The 2nd of April marks International Children’s Book Day. What does the day mean to you, and how did you spend it?
Answer: International Children’s Book Day holds a special place in my heart because it celebrates the power of stories to educate and spark the love of reading in children. As a first-time children’s author, it was meaningful to experience the day from both a parent’s and an author’s perspective.
I was fortunate to spend the day reading The Adventures of Little Num Num at my son’s school during a special event where parents were invited to read to their children’s classes. It was an unforgettable moment to have my son sitting on my lap while I shared the story with him and his classmates.
For me, it felt like everything had come full circle. A book that began as a dream while I was pregnant with my son was now being read to him and his friends. It was a rewarding moment and a reminder of why I wrote the book in the first place.
- As an author, do you have a fellow author that you draw inspiration from?
Answer: I draw inspiration from a variety of children’s stories rather than one particular author. I’ve always admired books that combine simple storytelling with meaningful life lessons and beautiful illustrations.
- What is your favourite book and why?
Answer: One of my favourite books is Intelligence Isn’t Enough by Carice Anderson. I appreciate it because it offers practical guidance for young Black graduates and professionals navigating the corporate world. It goes beyond academic achievement and highlights the importance of confidence, communication, building relationships, and understanding workplace culture.
As someone who has built a career in communications, I found many of the lessons relatable and valuable throughout my own professional journey.
While I write children’s books, I also enjoy reading books that encourage personal growth and learning. I believe we’re never too old to keep learning, and every great book has the power to teach us something new.
- Is there anything new that you have learned about yourself while writing The Adventures of Num Num?
Answer: Writing the book taught me just how resilient I am. There were moments when the journey felt challenging, but I learned to keep going even when the process took longer than I expected.
It also showed me that I’m capable of achieving things I once only dreamed about. Before this, I had never imagined myself becoming a published author, and now I’m holding a book that started as an idea.
To be honest, I’m still processing it all. Seeing my book in the hands of children and families is incredibly rewarding, and it has given me the confidence to dream even bigger. This experience has taught me that with faith, perseverance, and consistency, it’s possible to turn an idea into something that can make a lasting impact.
- Any message for parents out there to instill the culture of reading in their children?
Answer: Reading to your child is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. It doesn’t have to be for hours, even if it’s 10 to 15 minutes a day can spark their imagination, build their vocabulary, and strengthen your bond. Once reading becomes part of your family’s routine they’ll naturally become curious about reading. Children learn by watching us, so when they see us valuing books, they will too.
- At what age or stage, do you think it’s ideal for children to start reading or have someone read to them?
Answer: I believe it’s never too early to introduce a child to books. I started reading to my son when he was still an infant. In the beginning, I introduced him to black-and-white images, which are great for helping babies develop their visual focus. As he grew, reading together became part of our bedtime routine, and it quickly turned into one of our favourite ways to bond.
Today, he loves his books, and seeing his excitement reminds me that creating positive reading experiences from an early age can make a lasting difference.
My advice to parents is to start early, be consistent, and make reading fun and enjoyable.
- What would you like to say to children authors who are reading this interview and wondering if they can keep creating?
Answer: Keep going. Every great book started as an idea, and every published author was once a first-time writer. Don’t let fear, self-doubt, or perfection stop you from sharing your story with the world.
Trust the process, keep learning, and remember why you started. The world needs more stories, and it needs your voice too.
- What are you currently working on besides writing, and where can your fans follow your journey?
Answer: I’m currently working on growing The Adventures of Little Num Num into a brand and I’m also developing the next Little Num Num adventure, which I’m excited to share in the future.
In addition, I’ll be launching the very first episode of our Little Num Num series, which is an exciting new chapter for the brand. I can’t wait for children to experience the story in a whole new way.
Readers can also follow our journey on our social media platforms, where I’ll be sharing updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and exciting announcements as Little Num Num continues to grow.
You can follow Num Num’s socials at:
- Instagram: @theadventuresoflittlenumnum
- TikTok: @Little_NumNum
- YouTube: @Adventuresoflittlenumnum
