Meet the author rewriting the rules of children’s fiction
Representation matters: By Ifham Nizam “There are no books written about pirates with prosthetic limbs, sporting blades, or racing wheelchairs—that is, until now,” says award-winning international children’s author Jann Weeratunga, whose Polly’s Piralympics series is challenging conventional ideas about who gets to be the hero in children’s literature. For Weeratunga, representation is not simply…
Award-winning international children's author Jann Weeratunga is challenging traditional notions of heroes in children's literature with her Polly's Piralympics series. Disability is not presented as a limitation in this series; instead, it is celebrated as an integral part of a character's identity and adventure. Weeratunga's inspiration for the series came from Sir Philip Craven's inspiring words at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, where he recalled a young boy identifying a pirate with prosthetics as an Olympian.
The series follows Polly, a bird-napped African parrot, who overcomes bullying and joins a team of pirates competing in unique events like three-legged races and walk-the-plank diving. Through interactive pages, children can engage with the stories by coloring, drawing, writing, and responding, making it a more immersive experience.
Weeratunga's journey into authorship began with a decade-long career as a Scout Leader in the UK and later as an English teacher in Sri Lanka, where she established a small school to teach English. Her commitment to education and community service continued when she established a non-profit organization to aid tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka.
Now living in South Africa, Weeratunga draws inspiration from the world around her and continues to write stories that promote inclusion, leadership, and the exploration of universal childhood experiences.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
