The Power of Visual Arts in Learning: Discovering the Magic of “Asha and the Toymaker”

When creativity and academics come together, children discover not just how to learn, but how to love learning. Our next Hooked on Books feature takes a deeper look at Asha and the Toymaker by Sakshi Mangal, a nominee for the 2025 Blue Spruce Award from the Forest of Reading®. Set in the vibrant city of Jodhpur, India, this beautifully illustrated story is more than just a visual delight—it’s a thoughtful exploration of the balance between academic learning and creative passion. We’re thrilled to feature an exclusive interview with Vancouver-based author and illustrator Sakshi Mangal, where she shares insights into her creative process and the inspiration behind Asha and the Toymaker. Keep reading to learn more about the story behind the story—and why it’s capturing the hearts of young readers, educators, and families alike.

At Teachers on Call, our in-person and online tutoring team believes strongly in nurturing the whole child and encouraging creativity in early childhood education. Asha and the Toymaker reflects a key philosophy we bring to both home and classroom support: that education and creativity can, and should, work hand in hand. Academic skills help children deepen their understanding and expression, while creativity makes learning more meaningful and memorable. Whether a child is painting, solving a math problem, or building a story, we believe learning is richest when it includes space for curiosity, exploration, and imagination.

Explore the Forest of Reading and Celebrate Canadian Literature

The Forest of Reading is a nationwide reading program that encourages children and teens across Canada to explore a diverse selection of exceptional Canadian books. Organized by the Ontario Library Association, it’s the largest recreational reading program in the country, offering ten award categories in both English and French. What makes the program truly special is its student-driven format: young readers become the judges, voting for their favourite books in April. The program culminates in the Forest of Reading Festival—a lively event held in May downtown at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8), where students, authors, and educators come together to celebrate the nominated books and announce the winners. At Teachers on Call, we love how this initiative fosters a love of reading while empowering future voters to find value in civic participation, showing them that their voices truly matter. While the festival may have wrapped up for the year, the learning doesn’t have to end, keep reading for our exclusive interview and enrichment with Sakshi Mangal.

About the Author and Illustrator: Sakshi Mangal

Sakshi Mangal is a children's book author and illustrator based in Vancouver, Canada. Originally from Mumbai, India, she developed a love for storytelling early in life and pursued this passion through formal education in the UK. She holds a bachelor’s degree in animation from Teesside University and a master’s degree in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. Her work is inspired by childhood imagination, bold colors, and influences such as E.H. Shepard, Maurice Sendak, Quentin Blake, Walt Disney, and Shirley Hughes. Sakshi's illustrations and stories draw from her own upbringing and have been published and recognized in both the UK and North America. Her debut picture book, Asha and the Toymaker, was released in 2023, and recognized as a CBC Kids Reads Book Selection.

A Special Read Aloud with Sakshi Mangal

Sakshi Mangal on the Inspiration and Heart Behind Asha and the Toymaker

Asha and the Toymaker is set in the vibrant Blue City of Jodhpur, India. How did your childhood experiences in India influence the setting and themes of this story?

I was always fascinated by street vendors in India, especially those who sold toys stacked neatly on wooden carts. They moved through the city, rain or shine, and their creativity left a mark on me. India’s colors, patterns, and cultural diversity have always inspired me. The windmills outside school, the Jaipur dolls I collected, and the handmade wooden toys I played with all found their way into the story. The setting and details in Asha and the Toymaker are a celebration of those vivid childhood memories.

The book highlights the importance of art in everyday life. What message do you hope young readers take away about the value of creativity?

Art is a visual language, it’s how I’ve always expressed myself. For children, it can be a powerful way to communicate when words aren’t enough. I hope young readers see that creativity isn’t just about making things; it’s about exploring, expressing, and understanding their world. Encouraging art gives kids their own voice.

The relationship between Asha and her father is central to the story. How did you approach depicting their bond in both the narrative and illustrations?

Their bond is built on love, care, and quiet understanding. In the story, it shows how they look out for each other. I used body language and expressions, like Asha’s worry when Papa is late or her joy when he’s happy, to visually show their connection. Even small gestures, like Papa gifting her paints, express their deep love.

The book subtly introduces readers to a few Hindi words. What inspired you to incorporate language elements, and how do you think it enhances the reading experience?

I wanted readers to feel immersed in Asha’s world by hearing the words she would naturally use. The Hindi words add authenticity and help capture the mood of the story. It’s also a fun way for kids to learn something new, like stepping into Asha’s shoes.

For educators and parents, what key lessons or discussions would you recommend stemming from Asha and the Toymaker?

I’d encourage parents and educators to focus on listening to children and valuing their ideas. Asha may be small, but her creativity and empathy make a big difference. The story reminds us  to trust in their imagination and give them space to express themselves. Parents and educators can use the book as a starting point to talk with children about what they love and what they're passionate about and how those passions can make a real difference in their own lives or in the lives of others. It's a chance to show children that when they use their creativity with purpose, it can lead to something meaningful. They can even be encouraged to create a piece of art that expresses something they’ve been wanting to share, whether it’s a feeling, an idea, or a personal story.

As a creator, do you have a particular space or routine that helps you tap into your creativity when working on projects like this?

I usually begin by spending a few weeks observing and gathering inspiration. Then I create mood boards to help shape the visual tone of the story, followed by storyboards and rough sketches. For Asha and the Toymaker, I paid special attention to textures, incorporating wooden block prints and experimenting with different paper materials to reflect the handmade quality of the toys. My style tends to shift from book to book, depending on the tone and subject. For this project, I also had the chance to visit India several times while working on the illustrations. Being there, surrounded by the culture, colors, and atmosphere, really helped me while working on the artworks.

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At Teachers on Call, we believe that when children are given the freedom to explore their passions—whether through reading, art, or hands-on learning—they become more confident, curious, and motivated students. Asha and the Toymaker is a shining example of how stories can inspire this kind of balanced growth by showing young readers that their creativity has value both inside and outside the classroom. As you explore this book with the children in your life, we hope it sparks meaningful conversations about learning, self-expression, and the many ways to succeed. Interested in more Blue Spruce-nominated books? Check out more 2025 Blue Spruce interviews with Vancouver-based Roz MacLean and her book, More Than Words or Award Winner, Anoosha Syed, and her book, The Lost Stick.  For the full list of 2025 Forest of Reading winners, check out our latest blog.