KVI Network · Editorial Spotlight
When Kindness Becomes Magic
Article by Vo Thi Nhu Mai
Emma Hanh Ma · Electra and Prince Ladamir
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A celebration of literature, compassion, cultural diversity and community spirit came together today as Australian author Emma Hanh Ma officially launched her children’s fairytale, Electra and Prince Ladamir. Bringing together families, children, community representatives and multicultural performers, the event was a celebration of the values that connect people across generations and cultures. The occasion also carried a meaningful charitable purpose, with 100 per cent of book sales proceeds dedicated to Project Humanity Australia Inc., demonstrating Emma’s commitment to turning creativity into positive action.
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An accomplished Australian pharmacist, philanthropist, entrepreneur and author, Emma drew inspiration from her own life experiences and observations of human nature. She explained that her intention was to introduce children to the moral and ethical values of life at an early age, encouraging them to develop kindness, compassion and self-awareness. The story follows Princess Electra, whose kindness wins the hearts of the kingdom, but whose happiness is threatened by jealousy as Prince Ladamir prepares to choose his bride at the Grand Ball. Through courage and compassion, Electra overcomes challenges and discovers that true kindness is the greatest magic of all. Emma revealed that the first draft took her just two hours to write, but developing the illustrations, refining the characters and preparing the complete publication and launch took approximately ten months. She described the creative process as being much like bringing a child into the world.
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One of the most engaging moments was the interactive conversation between Emma and the young audience. Rather than simply introducing her book, she invited children and adults to reflect on a fundamental question: “What does kindness mean to you?” The discussion explored kindness as generosity, consideration and genuine care for others, while introducing an equally important message: kindness must begin with ourselves. Emma highlighted self-love, self-care and self-respect, reminding everyone that helping others does not mean sacrificing personal wellbeing. She also emphasised the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries, including having the courage to say no when necessary. During the question-and-answer session, Emma shared how she developed her characters by drawing inspiration from real people, combining different personalities and qualities to create distinctive figures with meaningful lessons for young readers. Her choice of a fairytale format was deliberate: she believes stories can reach children’s hearts, nurture self-growth and encourage a more compassionate generation.
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The celebration continued with an entertaining programme of multicultural performances, reflecting the rich cultural fabric of the Australian community. Princess Electra, Prince Ladamir and Guard Bryson brought a segment of the story to life through a dance performance to the song Perfect, while the Western Australia Vietnamese Women’s Association presented a charming Vietnamese dance. Audiences were also treated to a graceful Thai dance by Dara Thai Dancing School and a vibrant Filipino performance by the Penafrancia Dancers. These performances transformed the occasion into a joyful meeting place of cultures, where music, dance and storytelling spoke a universal language of friendship and belonging. Children and families also enjoyed activities, refreshments, face painting and opportunities to meet the characters and have their books personally signed by the author.
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In her closing remarks, Emma expressed gratitude to the organisations, individuals, media representatives, performers and supporters who contributed to making the event possible. Special recognition was extended to Project Humanity Australia Inc., Multicultural Press Inc., The Rhythm of Vietnam, Radyo Natin Perth, Pinoy Stories Abroad Events Inc., Philippines News Perth, the Philippine Community Herald Newspaper Australia, and the many community groups and volunteers involved. The launch of Electra and Prince Ladamir was ultimately a reminder that literature can do more than entertain: it can plant seeds of goodness, inspire thoughtful conversations and influence the way young people see the world.
Editorial credit & further reading
Article by Vo Thi Nhu Mai, presented by KVI Network Creations.
Event details and observations are drawn from the contributor’s account of Emma Hanh Ma’s book launch and the accompanying event photographs. Book: Electra and Prince Ladamir, by Emma Hanh Ma.
