Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Local resident, Lathika Sadasivan, with her new book 'My First Millennium,' written to answer questions posed by her three sons. Sadasivan has been a teacher for the past 20 years and has written, but not published, other short stories.
Telling a timeless story for the new millennium
Author's book explains the millennium to children
By Melissa Matchak
At the end of 1999, with all the hubbub about Y2K and the beginning of a new millennium, Lathika Sadasivan's three young children had lots of questions.
To answer their questions, Sadasivan began drawing time lines to explain the meaning of the word millennium. In doing so, she realized it would be beneficial to present the numbers in a more tangible way. From this, her children's book, "My First Millennium," was born.
Sadasivan, a Sunnyvale resident, said she wanted to capture the concept of time and explain it in a way children could understand. Unfortunately, Sadasivan could not find a publisher who could publish her manuscript in the year 2000, so she decided to publish it herself, doing extensive research before founding her publishing company, Peek-A-Books.
My First Millennium tells the story of Katie, whose grandfather is celebrating his 100th birthday. Katie asks her mother what a millennium is, and if her grandfather is 1,000 years old. Katie's mother takes her to a running track and explains that each step they walk backward represents one year. As they walk backward, they count the years until their steps total 1,000. Katie understands the meaning of a millennium and how long ago Jesus was born.
"My First Millennium" features a page of facts about old age, including why people grow gray hair and have wrinkles as they age. It also talks about centenarians and a theory about how and when the earth was formed.
The book also includes colorful illustrations by Sadasivan, who said she wanted to tie together the age of the earth to the millennium.
"The idea of walking backward on a track gives kids a tangible feeling of time," Sadasivan said.
Sadasivan said she wanted to explain to children the needs of centenarians and other elderly people.
"What they need more than anything else is someone to talk to," Sadasivan said. "We don't mean to ignore them, but it happens."
Currently, "My First Millennium" can be found at www.amazon.com and local libraries. Sadasivan said she is promoting the book now and has other ideas for future publishing projects.
Personalized, autographed copies of her book can also be purchased by sending $7.99 for the paperback and/or $14.99 for the hard cover edition to PMB #234, 1669-2 Hollenbeck Avenue, Sunnyvale, 94087. For more information, e-mail Sadasivan at peekabooks@mindspring.com.
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
