I’m so thrilled and honored that the wonderful Mira Reisberg invited me to write for BLOGFISH. I’m excited for all that 2023 holds, and to see what unfolds in the coming months.
March signals the arrival of spring. It brings with it optimism and hope. This March will be extra special, as it’s also the month of Ramadan, which is the 9th month of the Muslim lunar calendar.
Growing up in the UK, my parents were Pakistani immigrants, at a time when there were few. Even teachers knew little about my culture or background. There was no representation in the books I read. This is one reason why I became passionate about writing books, first for my own children, and now for all children. One of my first stories was about Ramadan. Well, it was about a girl, her family and it was set during the month of Ramadan.
Why do I focus on multicultural books? That’s simply my default. I write from my background, my history, my culture. It’s important. Everyone has a history that is specific to them. Every story is important. Until every child is represented in books, we as writers must keep creating books for all children everywhere.
Tip: Write your family history!
Interview the senior members of your family, for their stories.
There are treasures to be found in the memories of our seniors.
Have fun treasure-hunting!
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Shirin Shamsi has lived on three continents. She moved to the USA over three decades ago, where she has raised six children – three human and 3 feline. She now spends her days writing, sketching, painting and reading. School visits and reading to children are some of her greatest joys. Shirin has twelve published books, and is working on numerous works-in-progress.
Laila and the Sands of Time (Clear Fork Publishing, 2019) is her middle grade novel. Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written with Callie Lovvorn and Melissa Stoller, illustrated by Kate Talbot 2021) Zahra’s Blessing: A Ramadan Story (Barefoot Books 2022) The Moon From Dehradun (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2022) |
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