Laura Robiou Brusa Pasque is a third-year Bachelor in International Relations student at IE University. Before the age of 18, she was already a published author, having written a children’s book called El secreto de las cinco virtudes para convertir el mundo. The book was very well-received, and has now been downloaded over 10,000 times.
We had the chance to talk to Laura about her success as an author and what inspired her to start this project.
Tell us about your book.
My book teaches children about five core values: honesty, friendship, love, generosity, and kindness. It tells the story of five children, one from each continent of the world, that meet in a summer camp. With the help of Claus, the owner of the camp, the children learn the importance of these values, and discover a secret that hides behind each of their names.
How did you decide to write a children’s book?
My father was making and producing videos for Ayuda en Acción, a Spanish NGO, when we decided that we wanted to create something to help this NGO reach people. We wanted to create a message that was more personal, something that’s normally taught at home. We thought that writing a book would be a great way to do this.
There is an African proverb that says “it takes a whole village to raise a child.” That idea was an inspiration to me as I worked on the project.
What is the theme of the book and why did you choose to connect the children in the book to the different continents?
Our idea was to show children that kindness, generosity, and honesty are values that we share with people from all around the world. We believed that this would help to break down the barriers between different cultures to understand that we have a lot in common, no matter where we come from.
Did studying international relations lend you any inspiration during the writing process?
Of course! Studying IR has encouraged me to work in development and cooperation with NGOs, and my experience with IR motivated me to write this book.
Why did you choose to pursue a Bachelor in International Relations at IEU?
I decided to study IR because I have always been interested in development, and I have always known that I wanted to dedicate my efforts to helping people. I knew that this bachelor’s degree at IEU would help me gain the knowledge and experience I need to be able to follow my dreams.
How was the book received by the audience?
We got amazing feedback. A lot of people downloaded it and everyone loved it – children and adults! I think we did a great job at making the story fun and enjoyable for all the members of the family.
Are you currently writing a new book?
I would love to write another children’s book. Right now, however, I am really focusing on my studies, but it is something that I absolutely want to do as soon as I can.
If you would like to download this book, please find the link here.
