There's enough to coax kids to read The Amazing Moustaches of Moochhander the Iron Man and Other Stories from cover to cover. Pakistani author Musharraf Ali Farooqi's four tales, with life-like illustrations, will rekindle how we read our stories, the old-fashioned way

India's favourite children's book writer Ruskin Bond believes this book is delightful to read out loud, or for children who are beginning to read for themselves. "The illustrations add to the fun," he adds. Each of the four stories created by Musharraf Ali Farooqi, author, novelist and translator, have been written to bring the essence of storytelling back to how it is meant to be -- simple, effortless and life-like.

Giving breath to each character and story are Michelle Farooqi's illustrations - created in a style that is reminiscent of artwork usually observed in Scandinavian and Russian fairy tale books. The Guide caught up with Musharraf Ali Farooqi to tell us more about his utterly charming characters -- including weight-pulling mustachioed Iron Man and a giant baker, the blending of old and new styles and what kids can take home from this collection.

What was your inspiration to create Moochhander, Molka, Madame Snotbog, Profondus and the rest?
These stories were written seven or eight years ago. If I had known I would be asked this question I would have tried to remember. Probably, the characters came to the mind first. In the case of Profundus, the idea for the grab-itty-scope came first, I think. Madame Snotbog was modelled on a dear aunt of mine although I am not half as clever as Profundus. However, I'm not above stealing pies and regularly overdose on sweets. There are a lot of autobiographical details here for future researchers, I'm afraid.