A little about me
Stories, opportunities & making things a little better.
I'm Talia Adanna — a children's author, founder, writer and education advocate working at the intersection of storytelling, education, literacy and social impact.
I'm interested in the stories we tell, the opportunities we create and the ways we can make the world a little better than we found it.
Storytelling
Children's literature
I'm the author of Alanah's Amazing Afro and Gerald the Lonely Giraffe, two children's books that reflect my interest in identity, belonging, friendship and representation.
I believe children's books can do more than entertain. They can help children understand themselves, encounter experiences different from their own and develop a sense of belonging. When children see characters who look like them, share aspects of their experiences or reflect their identities, it can change how they relate to reading and the world around them.
This belief sits at the heart of my work as an author and continues to shape the projects I'm building beyond the page.
Campaign
Building Stories #LikeMine
I'm the founder of the Stories #LikeMine Campaign, a children's literacy and representation campaign inspired by a moment that stayed with me. After reading Alanah's Amazing Afro, a child remarked that the character had hair like hers.
What might have seemed like a small observation became the starting point for a much bigger idea: what if more children could experience that same feeling of recognition when they opened a book?
Through #LikeMine, I'm working to address gaps in representation within children's literature and encourage reading for pleasure — with the #HairLikeMine pilot bringing curated collections of representative books into primary schools.
Education
Education & opportunity
Education has always been an important part of my work. Coming from a family of educators and drawing on years of tutoring experience, I founded Brighter Minds Tuition to support students in developing their knowledge, confidence and academic potential.
For me, education is about more than academic achievement; it's about helping people recognise what they're capable of and giving them the tools to pursue it.
As a Global Youth Ambassador for Theirworld and a Youth Ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation, I also engage with wider conversations around literacy, educational access and the opportunities available to children and young people.
Advocacy
Law, writing & advocacy
Alongside my work in children's literature and education, I'm completing my law degree. My legal studies complement my interests in children's rights, educational equality and social impact, encouraging me to think about the systems and structures that shape people's lives and opportunities.
I'm also interested in writing and journalism as ways to explore ideas, question assumptions and contribute to wider conversations — with a particular interest in the connections between law, culture, education and society.
Public speaking is another part of my growing portfolio. I've been accepted to speak at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University in 2027, an opportunity to share my work and contribute to conversations about literacy and educational opportunity.
Looking ahead
What's next?
I'm continuing to develop a portfolio of work spanning children's literature, education, writing, speaking and social impact — particularly the possibilities at the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship and advocacy, and building projects that can grow beyond a single idea into something with lasting value.
Ultimately, I want my work to contribute to a world in which children feel represented, young people can access meaningful opportunities, and creativity is used not just to imagine a better future, but to help build one.
I'm always open to thoughtful collaborations, speaking opportunities and projects that align with this vision.
Let's work together
School and organisation visits, speaking, partnerships on Stories #LikeMine and more.