Interview & Giveaway with Suhasini Gupta: Back Matter Break Down

Welcome to the Back Matter Break Down! I am excited for you to read today’s interview with a debut author who came to back matter task with so many creative ideas. It’s so great to see the journey that led to the final version. And don’t forget to scroll all the way to the end of the interview you so you can enter the giveaway! Okay, let’s begin!

Book: Kai Po Che: Mini’s Perfect Kite

Author: Suhasini Gupta

Illustrator: Devika Oza

Publisher / Year: Gnome Road Publishing, 2025

Genre: Fiction

Topics: Kites, Indian Festivals, Indian Culture, Crafts, Siblings

Blurb: It’s Makar Sankranti, the Indian festival of kites, and Mini wants to join in the fun. But her older brother insists that flying kites is not for little girls. Using her craft-making skills, Mini constructs her own not-so-perfect kite and learns to fly it with her brother’s help. But during Sankranti, it’s fair game to cut another kite’s string and keep it as your own! When a red kite comes along and causes a KITE-ASTROPHE, Mini decides it’s time to challenge the red kite to a battle in the sky. In the end, she discovers that her not-so-perfect kite is really her very own perfect diamond.

Book Word Count: The story is approximately 570 words.

What is your back matter word count? 

The back matter ended up at 440 words.

At what phase of the drafting/revising/publishing process did you decide your book needed back matter?  

I wanted to include back matter toward the end of my revision process because kite flying is more than just an outdoor activity—it encompasses science, math, craft, inspirational values, and a full celebration. The back matter serves as an invitation to spark curiosity and meaningful conversations between children and grown-ups.

Did you do any research for the back matter to include the STEM content?

Since my childhood memories inspired this story, I incorporated an author’s note to give readers a glimpse of my personal connection to kite flying. The STEM content included basic engineering concepts related to how kites function, such as their unique shape and how it differs from a diamond-shaped kite, as well as the forces that help balance a kite in the sky.
To ensure accuracy and make these concepts accessible to a young audience, I conducted additional research using reliable sources. Some of the resources include the American Kitefliers Association, which introduces people to the joy of kite flying, its rich history, the artistry of kite making, and how kites can be used as educational tools. Additionally, I explored kite-related educational content from NASA and PBS Learning Media which provide valuable insights into the science behind kite flight.

For further exploration, readers can visit:
American Kitefliers Association
NASA Learning Resources on Kites
PBS LearningMedia: Kites and STEM

Tell us about the back matter revision process. Why did changes occur? What changes and revisions came about after working with the editor/agent?  

I already had a few key elements in mind for the back matter, such as STEM concepts, a kite-making craft, and possibly a recipe for an Indian snack or dessert—because no Indian celebration is complete without food! Additionally, while the book was in the illustration process, I wrote a rap song that I wanted to include. However, since we had only one page available for the back matter, we had to make choices about what to include. We ultimately prioritized STEM over crafting because STEM and craft go hand in hand—understanding the facts behind kite flying makes designing and building a kite easier.

Is there anything else you wanted to include in the back matter but didn’t make the cut?

Yes, crafting a kite didn’t make it into the book due to space constraints. We could only fit the author’s note and STEM content on one page. Fortunately, I was able to include a QR code for my rap song, “I’m Not SMALL, Am Dynamite,” written by me and sung by my daughter. Additionally, Gnome Road Publishing offers Bonus Material and extra Educator Resources on their website for each book, making the content available there.

What was the most challenging part of the back matter publishing process?

The biggest challenge was working within the space constraints while ensuring the back matter remained engaging and informative for the young kids.

What do you hope readers will take away after reading your back matter content?

I hope kids feel inspired to explore more about kites, spark their curiosity, and create their own designs to soar high in the sky.

Reflecting on this process and what you learned, what tips can you offer picture book writers for writing back matter?

Here are a few tips in my opinion that could come handy.

1. Planning and Prioritizing Content – Think about your back matter in a way that connects to your story and theme, and be prepared to make tough choices about what to include if space is limited.

2. Keep It Engaging – Write in a way that sparks curiosity and encourages young readers to explore further, whether through fun facts, activities, or personal connections, while also offering value to parents and educators.

3. Be Flexible and Creative – If something doesn’t fit within the book, consider alternative ways to share it, such as through the publisher’s website, a QR code, or bonus materials.

Are there resources or comp titles you can share that would be helpful for writer’s wanting to learn more about back matter?  

Your blog is a great resource for checking out authors’ testimonies on back matter. The best approach to learn more is by visiting the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), where they offer workshops and articles on various aspects of writing, including how to craft back matter. Additionally, checking out books from local libraries on related topics and reaching out to author communities and online writer’s blogs for further tips can be incredibly helpful.

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Thank you, Suhasini! I love how you had so many fun and engaging ideas in your head for the back matter. Even though they didn’t all make it into the book, it’s fun that you have great content that you are now using elsewhere. Please support Suhasini:

Reach out on Instagram/Twitter/Bluesky/Youtube– @thesusankam
Website- www.thesusankam.com

KAI PO CHE: MINI’S PERFECT KITE can be purchased anywhere books are sold. Online, it’s available at Amazon and Barnes&Noble, or directly from the Publisher. You can check your local Indie book store.

Now for the giveaway! Suhasini Gupta has generously offered a 20-min AMA or a PB critique (non-rhyming, 600 words or less) to one lucky winner! To enter: leave one comment on this blog post by April 8 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. For additional entries, leave a comment on my (Judy’s) BlueSky and/or Instagram posts about this post for a maximum of 2 bonus entries. (Remember to check back on this blog post and social media to see if you are selected as a winner!)

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Ginger B, you are the winner!

Thank you for reading!

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