Mother-daughter-duo pen their own book

Mother and daughter duo, Sandhyia Gosine, 40, and Isabella Brielle Ramcharitar, 9, have come out with their published children’s book, “Superhero Within Me: Uni: Never Give Up on Your Dream!” The book is meant to inspire children to achieve their dreams by showcasing superheroes who use their powers to accomplish everyday, real-world jobs and tasks. Ramcharitar thought up the protagonist, “Uni” that Gosine then brought to life through colored pencils.

It all started a few months ago when they both had an epiphany while reminiscing on their nightly story times which they used to do when Ramcharitar was two years old. Gosine, at the time, was creating stories every night about superheroes who also have normal jobs and then writing them down for her daughter. Ramcharitar at the same time was drawing the make-believe characters to bring them to life on the page.

Fast forward a few years later and both are now self-published authors with their book on Amazon. Gosine wrote and developed the plot with guidance from her daughter, who in turn illustrated the whole book. The book spreads the message to all children reading that you don’t need superpowers to be a superstar, according to Gosine.

This book project took on a personal meaning for Gosine who said that her childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut or lawyer were stifled by some adults who “kill that real passion.”

“When we say anything is possible, we mean anything is possible, but gearing towards something that’s more achievable,” Gosine expressed. 

Gosine felt that boost in confidence was missing from parents to children today, “Somewhere along the line we lost that [motivation] and we’re like, yeah but you can’t fly, and I feel like that instills doubt [because] we say things like ‘anything is possible’ but anything is not possible because I can’t be a superhero. So, it’s just bridging that gap and allowing children to believe,” Gosine stated.

Ramcharitar learned many valuable lessons through working together with her mom to accomplish a common endeavor. “It makes me feel very happy and accomplished through publishing a book I illustrated, and my mom wrote,” she said. Uni, the FBI agent and main character in the children’s book, is the same profession Ramcharitar wants to be when she grows up.

Ramcharitar explained her creative process in crafting the characters, “First, I started out with a sketch and then moved on to actually drawing and it came out very, very good,” she laughed, illustrating the entire 15-page book in two weeks. They both reported that she is now a mini-celebrity at Steele, which is “fantastic” she said, in her school since reading the book to her class and getting the school’s famed “Book of the Month” title.

Her classmates have now expressed that they too want to write books of their own, which is exactly the point Gosine had in mind. “You did something and showed [the classmates who now] know it’s possible and that’s what the whole purpose was.”

The process was incredible for both, Gosine said, because of all the quality time and teachable moments throughout the process. “The best part was spending time with her, it gave me an opportunity to show that once you have a vision in mind, an idea, all you have to do is work towards it,” Gosine said. Now Ramcharitar makes her own plans to do her homework and study because of those teachable moments that taught her about setting objectives.

When they tangibly held the book in their hands, it was a shock to Ramcharitar, because it cemented for her that dreams could become a reality.    

The book is flying off the virtual shelf thanks to the support of both the Baldwin and Valley Stream community, where they lived years prior to their move to Baldwin three years ago. Staying in touch with Valley Stream through social media such as Facebook, the book was able to reach older friends that were left behind in her schools.

“My heart is in both,” said Gosine, “I was the Parent Teacher Association president of Valley Stream. I was heavily involved in the community.” Since Ramcharitar started school there it is sentimental that Valley Stream has also responded to the book. “Valley Stream is a very warm community, Baldwin too. We moved during the pandemic…and now that everything is settling in there is more interactions happening and we’re loving it.”