We recently connected with Rita Bhandari and have shared our conversation below.

Rita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Back in the summer of 2019, the spark of an idea ignited within me – The Ace Compeers. I remember jotting down the core concepts, sketching a basic storyline, and then, as life often goes, placing it on the shelf to gather dust. I am naturally risk-averse and, just like many of us, I didn’t actually think that anything would come of it. Little did I know that this idea, momentarily set aside, would become my guiding light during the pandemic. Struggling with my own mental well-being, I stumbled upon my old notes, and something extraordinary happened. It was as if the essence of the project reached out, giving me renewed purpose.

The driving force behind my determination to bring The Ace Compeers to life was, and continues to be, a conviction that I could offer something vitally important and unique. Drawing from my decade of experience as an educator, I recognized a gap that needed filling: educational books that would stand as invaluable tools for both teachers and parents, but that are also relatable, interesting and fun for children to read. The magic lay in their ability to provide not only insightful explanations but also provide thought-provoking discussion questions. These resources facilitate deeper conversations with children, and it’s something I had never seen myself as a teacher and something that I believe is very much needed.

Starting a book business dedicated to teaching children about race and racism is a risk, but a risk that I wholeheartedly believe is worth taking. Witnessing the positive impact of my books, as they empower children to embrace diversity and equality, serves as a constant reminder of the value of this risk. It’s as if every page turned becomes a small step toward a more inclusive world, and that’s a journey I’m fully committed to undertaking.

Rita, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an author who’s deeply passionate about creating stories that go beyond entertainment. My background in teaching, my personal experiences and identity and my educational achievements have driven me to tackle important themes like race, diversity, and inclusion in a unique and engaging way.

My series, “The Ace Compeers,” is more than just children’s books. It’s a platform to spark meaningful discussions about race and racism, especially among young readers ages 8 to 12. I firmly believe in the power of storytelling to promote critical thinking and empathy, which is why I’ve integrated thought-provoking discussion questions and educational content into my books.

Seeing my series receive recognition and awards, including being a gold recipient of the Mom’s Choice Awards, has been incredibly rewarding. But what truly fuels my passion is connecting with young readers through author visits and presentations. It’s amazing to see their enthusiasm and curiosity ignited by the topics I explore.

In essence, I’m an author who’s committed to making a positive impact through storytelling. My aim is to inspire, educate, and encourage conversations that matter.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Yes, definitely. Originally, I wanted to continue with my full time position and simultaneously work on my book series. I’ve quickly realized that I had to change my plans, especially if I want to present at schools during school hours, which would be during my regular work hours. In order to make my author visits a reality, I’ve recently decided to reduce my teaching assignment and income, which is a leap driven by passion and purpose.

The risk is apparent – stepping back from a steady income entails financial uncertainty. Balancing my time between part-time teaching, my book business and familial responsibilities definitely poses challenges. However, the rewards are equally compelling. The chance to passionately pursue my creative vision and make a lasting impact on young minds fuels me.

I’m a mother of two and I also want to show my own children that we can grow, develop new skills and passions, make mistakes along the way and keep going at any point in our lives. The fear of failing often stops us from trying out something new. I believe that we need to shift our definition of success. I want them to understand that success can be the personal growth and courage required to start a new project. I hope that they can see that success isn’t linear. Success is accepting challenges, pivoting, understanding that there are seasons in life and knowing that you are capable of being persistent regardless of this if that is what you really want. Success can be staying true to yourself and finding out what ignites your soul. Success can also be positively contributing to humanity in any small way during our short stay here on earth. It’s trying to be a good human. With that in mind, I cannot fail. Pivoting is just part of the journey and I hope that my children come to understand this as they grow older.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes. Simply put, the mission is to use facts and storytelling in order to promote empathy, understanding and critical thinking skills in the way that future generations think about race and racism. And to do this in an interesting, meaningful and fun way!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://acecompeers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acecompeers/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/The-Ace-Compeers-100073027567116/
• Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/rita-bhandari?challengeId=AQHwdSf46STnvQAAAYng1bZ9UZBxwNMu3LeV2DhAaTcx-6wAdzNstGXx7cGgDlctgY9XgjC2xWiVH-5FgXA_ZmcLlBsnRNVd8g&submissionId=0f2879ea-f41a-7a17-bfbe-0e8850116950&challengeSource=AgFrwsXUuAdbiwAAAYng1pJG58As-9RC2NYiHugciHSiXFHo_r6j6kMUHPDuUnw&challegeType=AgHzm9mIFripAAAAAYng1pJJTBqo-biXsR4XXL0Dcq2mT36DWp435sA&memberId=AgGsVQFKDV3HbgAAAYng1pJM7MrGmujUBtvyUgpUTlz8aNs&recognizeDevice=AgGc8Dz4x6yXZgAAAYng1pJPBN_OLncC6ohtlIyf7LmsjDCpbXm9
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/acecompeers/status/1549080852256198656
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNa2_P4oM_k