LIVING BRIDGES Picture Book Interview with Author Sandhya Acharya

Bicultural Mama is proud to support multicultural children’s author, Sandhya Acharya, with her new picture book LIVING BRIDGES: The Hidden World of India’s Woven Trees. Illustrated by Avani Dwivedi and published by Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the book releases on June 3, 2025 and is ideal for children ages 4 to 8 years old. Here is the Publisher’s description of Living Bridges:

A boy learns how to care for and weave the roots of the living tree bridges in his village in India in this narrative nonfiction picture book perfect for fans of We Are Water Protectors and The Tree Lady.

In the mountains of Meghalaya, India, a living bridge stands tall, connecting the land and its people with the interwoven roots of tall, wide ficus trees. The bridge is called Jingkieng Jri, and it’s alive. A little boy can’t wait to learn to weave the roots together just like the generations before him.

But when he notices litter on the bridge and scars on the roots from people stealing sap, he knows Jinkieng Jri doesn’t just need shaping; it needs love. By rallying his community and even visiting tourists, the boy protects the living bridge and shares his message of care.

Read on for Bicultural Mama’s interview with author Sandhya Archarya!

What is the book about, and what inspired you to write it?

Sandhya Archarya (SA): The book is a tribute to the Living Bridges that the indigenous War Khasi Jaintia community of Meghalaya, India, has been building for centuries. It is an ingenious piece of sustainable architecture. The name Meghalaya literally translates to an abode of clouds. Located in the mountainous north-eastern region of India, it gets a lot of rainfall, and in the monsoon, its rivers could often overflow. That would have cut villages off if nothing were done.

But the locals devised a solution!  They didn’t have to use cement or steel or bring expensive equipment in; they wove the roots of the abundant ficus trees found by the water. As the trees grew, the woven roots got stronger and formed a bridge – Jingkieng Jri, which translates to Living Bridges. When I read about these bridges, I was overcome by a feeling of awe, of wonder, and rapture. What an amazing way to live in harmony with nature! There was so much to learn and share with our younger generation. I knew there was a story in there. 

How did you research the content for this book?

SA: My research was very immersive. I steeped myself in it for a while. I read a lot about the living bridges, looked at YouTube videos, and read books about the Living Bridges and the communities in Meghalaya. In addition, I reached out to experts and people from the community and interviewed them. One of the experts included Morningstar Kongthaw, the founder of the Living Bridge Foundation, who has worked tirelessly to conserve, repair, and construct more of these Living Bridges in the community. Be sure to read the backmatter information in the book about the work he does!

I also travelled to Meghalaya, stayed there, and witnessed the Living Bridges. It was an exhilarating experience! I am grateful to the local community for making me feel welcome and sharing this beautiful phenomenon with the world. All the information gathered guided me in forming the words, creating the characters, and putting down plot points in the story. It was a coming together. 

How did you come up with the title of the book?

SA: The title came to me in the first version of the manuscript. I didn’t have to say anything more to capture the awe and wonder of this phenomenon. 

You’ve written both fiction and non-fiction children’s books. Do you have a preference, and if so, why?

SA: No, as writers, we write what the story needs. The key is to make the narrative strong and re-readable for kids. 

What level of interaction did you and the illustrator have during the process?

SA: We communicated through the publisher. I sent Avani all my research in photos and videos. Avani did her own meticulous research, as is apparent in the attention to detail with the flora and fauna in all the pages. The team shared initial sketches, and I was able to give more detailed feedback. My suggestions were always respected and welcomed. I believe we worked as a team to bring this story to life.  

What did you think about the cover when you first saw it?

SA: Mind-blown! It was perfect! The reader is immediately invited to step into a beautiful world with the book. Avani has captured so well the child’s innocence, the wonder of the Living Bridges, and the relationship between the child and maternal uncle (Kni) who is teaching him how to care for these bridges. Illustrators are truly magicians. 

Do you have other books coming up?

SA: I have a book coming in 2027 titled EVERYWHERE I CALL HOME, published by Little Brown, Hachette. It is a lyrical story about a child’s reckoning of her belonging to multiple cultures and homes. 

Where to Purchase Living Bridges

SA: Living Bridges is available for pre-orders before its release date on June 3, 2025 on online bookseller sites such as Amazon and others. A Kindle version is also available.

Author’s Bio