Sana Rafi is the author of Little Seeds of Promise, and the upcoming title A Mermaid Girl. You can find out more about Sana, her projects and her thoughts, on her website by following her on Twitter and Instagram.
Interview Questions were compiled by Noureen Qadir Jafar and Amna Hussain
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer? What inspired you to write for children and how did Little Seeds of Promise come about?
I don’t know if I ever actively decided to be a writer. It was a part of me from a very early age. I remember loving my elementary school English teacher. I remember looking forward to reading comprehension exercises in third grade. And then I started writing for local children’s magazines in Pakistan around age nine or ten.
I was introduced to picture books only after I became a mother so I think my first inspiration was my son. I also think writing for children meshes well with my personality. Little Seeds of Promise came about from my deep desire to write about immigrants and how difficult yet rewarding their journey is.
As a child, you lived in many countries. Is this story influenced by your own experiences or stories of other new immigrants? Is the grandmother figure based on anyone in your life?
Yes, for sure. I don’t think I would’ve been able to write this book had I not experienced what it was like to be an immigrant as a child. Before moving abroad, I shared a house with my grandparents and so I couldn’t write Maya’s story without including a significant person in her life whom she had left behind. That’s the thing with immigrants–they always leave a part of themselves in their homeland and I wanted to emphasize on mourning that loss with some positivity if that makes sense.
Moving to a new country and changing schools is not easy. What helped you adjust to those big changes in your life?
Honestly, change was hard and I wish I had had access to books that could’ve mirrored my immigration experience. The one thing that remained constant in my life during hard times was my writing–I always continued to write and submit my work to publications, participate in contests as a way of distracting myself but also of giving myself something to look forward to. When I was sixteen, I won a national short story contest and that’s when I knew writing was a deep part of my identity. It became my outlet and friend through the big changes.
On your website, you mentioned that you used to write long letters to your penpals. How did you select your penpals? Would you like to share anything about your penpal experience?
It all started because of a children’s magazine I used to read. They always had a section for penpals and I remember being super intrigued by that. Of course, I loved to write so I thought it would be fun and that’s how it all started. One of my good penpal friends was Shazia who resided in the UK. We’re still friends today, decades later despite the fact that we have never met each other in person. It was a very exciting experience–I used to love receiving snail mail!
Can you talk about the process and time in writing this book?
This book took many shapes and forms. I was constantly writing it and revising it for months before I started querying agents. I sent it directly to my publisher, The Innovation Press and I heard back with some interest. But then a few months passed before I received a book deal from them, which I gladly accepted. Then the book went through several edits–we worked very hard in getting the right messaging across and there was quite a bit of back and forth between me and the editors.
Who was your biggest supporter in your journey of writing Little Seeds of Promise? What does your family think of your book?
My friend and fellow children’s book author Rabea Chaudhry was the first person to nudge me into the world of writing picture books so I always think of her as a monumental presence in my writing journey. My family has been so supportive and excited for me!
Which picture book authors do you draw inspiration from?
I love picture books by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Aya Khalil, Reem Faruqi, M.O. Yuksel, Susannah Aziz and many more!
We know that authors and illustrators don’t often get to work directly together. Were you in touch with the illustrator? Did you have a vision for the way you wanted the book to look and how did you feel about the interpretation by Renia Metallinou?
While Renia and I never got to speak directly, we did communicate via our publisher/editor and I do think she did a lovely job with the illustrations. I was able to see them at different stages and offer my opinions. I was grateful that Renia was able to accommodate some of the changes that I requested and in the end I believe she was able to bring together an even more vibrant and beautiful book than I had envisioned.
Do you feel that books featuring Muslims are being created and marketed in a positive way? Are there trends you like or hope will change?
I believe that the publishing industry has ways to go in terms of supporting Muslim books. It’s hard enough to receive a book deal and then to undertake its marketing and make noise about your own book can be burdensome for some of us. I think the publishing industry needs to do more so that our books become more visible. When will our books be part of the mainstream?
How do you hope your work can impact the Muslim community? How do you hope your work can impact perceptions of Muslims?
I hope to empower the Muslim community though my books. I want them to feel proud of Muslim books that feature the holidays they celebrate or include character names that are easy on their tongues, names they have known growing up. Though my work, I’d like to normalize what being a Muslim is like–build awareness, open doors for meaningful conversations and understanding.
What is the best way to support Muslim authors, agents, editors, librarians and those involved in creating Muslim literature? What do you hope the literature world looks like for Muslims in the coming years? In 20 years?
Support for Muslim and other diverse creatives can come in many forms. Please buy our books or request them from your local library! Please leave us reviews with pictures of our books on Amazon, Goodreads etc. Please consider donating our books to causes that support diversity and inclusion. And one of the best ways to support us to gift our books to children that need them so that they can grow up feeling seen and validated.
In 20 years, I hope there are a whole lot of us Muslim artists out there. I hope that instead of just finding a couple picture books with the word ‘mosque’ or ‘halal’ on the cover, we find them abundantly. Just like non-Muslim children know about Christmas from a young age, I hope authors, agents, librarians can do a good job of showcasing Eid and all the love and joy around this special Muslim holiday.
Your next children’s book A MERMAID GIRL is coming out in summer 2022 and is about modest swimwear/burkini, which we have not seen much of before! Would you like to share anything about it and what inspired you to write it?
Years ago, as an adult, I tried to learn how to swim. I vividly remember telling my dad ‘no’ to his offer of getting me enrolled in swimming lessons as a child. I still don’t know how to swim but am hopeful I’ll learn one day (those adult swim lessons didn’t quite work out). But the book came about with me thinking of how uncomfortable I felt wearing a swimsuit as a Muslim girl child living in a Muslim country. I would’ve learned how to swim with a female coach in an all-female pool. Yet, there was something that stopped me, apart from my fear of the water. And that led me to imagine myself growing up in a non-Muslim country and wearing a burkini to the pool. It’s not something I have witnessed yet but I do have friends whose daughters wear modest swimwear. The point is that all of us deserve to experience swimming if we want to and what we wear to the pool or the beach shouldn’t be something that stops us from receiving joy in the water. So, I wrote A MERMAID GIRL in hopes of giving children like myself a little nudge towards courage, bravery and owning their identity.
What is something that you would like your readers to know about you. Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to pass on to young writers?
Writing can become your best friend, in both good times and bad. It can help lift your mood and it can also fuel your creativity. Some days it’s harder to write than others but it’s always worth it so keep on writing!
Amira’s Picture Day. Reem Faruqi, Illus. Fahmida Azim. 2021. 40p. Holiday House, $17.99. (9780823440191). PreS-Gr. 3. 
Hannah and the Ramadan Gift. Qasim Rashid, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel. 2021. 40p. Viking Books for Young Readers (PRH), $17.99. (9780593114667). PreS-Gr. 2. 
Amina’s Song. Hena Khan. 2021. 288p. Salaam Reads (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), $17.99. (9781534459885). Gr. 3-7. Fountas & Pinnell Level U. Amina’s Song was the 2022 Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature.
Huda Fahmy’s fictionalized graphic memoir follows a high school-aged Huda who has moved with her family from a place where she was the only hijabi in her class to Dearborn, Michigan with a significantly higher Muslim and Arab population. Huda struggles to find her place in the high school hierarchy and realizes that not only has she made hijab her personality (harder to do when surrounded by other hijabis and cliques of hijabis), but that she has made herself small in order to be pleasing to others. Her humor, while witty, is often self-deprecating and her internalized self-loathing causes further harm to herself and the ones that she loves. Fahmy 
Misfit in Love. S.K. Ali. 2021. 320p. Salaam Reads (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), $19.99. (9781534442757). Grades 9-12. 
Fun-loving prankster Parvin Mohammadi is elated to start high school with her new boyfriend, Wesley, only to have him dump her at freshman orientation for being “loud” and “too much.” Wallowing in romance movies, Parvin comes to the (false) realization that demure girls get the guy and plans to show up Wesley by getting bisexual sophomore Matty Fumero to be her Homecoming date. Parvin’s attempt to 180 her personality and style has best friends pansexual, Korean American Ruth and gay, Mexican American Fabian doubtful and disapproving. Parvin’s aunt Sara, who is viewing it all via Skype from Iran while waiting on her U.S. visa to arrive, also urges Parvin to be herself. Compounding this self-doubt is Parvin’s internalized identity struggle and how much this affects her perception of beauty and romance. Despite their obvious affection, she is not able to glean much from her Iranian Shi’a father, does not look much like her white Episcopalian mother or any of the beautiful women in the media, nor does she feel Iranian enough to fit in with the other Iranians Americans, even as it becomes obvious that one of her classmates from Farsi school may want to be more than friends. But when her schemes and internalization lead her to ditch her friends when they need her most and her aunt Sara’s plan to visit is threatened by the Muslim ban, Parvin must decide what is most important to her and what kind of person she truly is. Even in her most self-deprecating moments, Parvin is funny, witty, and lovable. And while some elements of representation might give readers pause, it is all in the cause of learning acceptance. A truly enjoyable read. 
This review was originally published in 
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The seed analogy is possibly an overreach for very young readers (the targeted age is listed as 3-7) and may be better understood conceptually with elementary students or require an adult to more fully explain how successfully planting seeds in hard soil is analogous to coming out one’s comfort zone and opening up to new experiences.
Another tie, both universal and culturally specific, are the memories of grandparents. Maya’s sweet Nani, with “a thousand wrinkles on her face” always smells like jasmine flowers
The illustrations are intricate and detailed, further enriching the story, and patterns on the clothing, colors, and jewelry are a beautiful representation of elements commonly seen across South Asia. Additionally, the depiction of Maya without hijab is refreshing. Despite hijab being a religious marker that is most associated with adult women and Muslim girls that are post-pubescent, it is often shown in children’s literature on pre-pubescent girls as a way to emphasize the ethnicity, religion, or develop the story line when it is not always in a religious setting or age appropriate.
Listen, Layla
Gr 8 Up–Layla, a 14-year-old Sudanese Australian, has just finished Year 8 of school and has exciting summer plans, primarily preparing for an international design competition and working toward becoming a world-class inventor. Those plans are abruptly upended, however, when her grandmother becomes ill and her family must travel to Sudan. Afraid to lose her spot on the school’s championship design team, Layla secretly attempts to balance family and team obligations, all the while reconciling the Sudan of her imagination with its realities and questions about her own identity: Is she Sudanese or Australian? Can she be both? When the Sudanese people take to the streets demanding change, Layla is determined not to be left behind, even if it goes against her parents’ wishes. She learns that she must draw strength from the regal legacy of her ancestors and listen to the impulses of her heart and the wisdom of her elders. Arabic phrases, Islamic references, and Australian slang contribute to the authenticity of the well-paced narrative. Shining a light on Sudan’s oft-forgotten history and the current challenges facing the nation, this novel will resonate with those working to make sense of multiple identities. Dialogue about gender roles between Layla and her grandmother, as well with friends and family, offers fodder for discussions about gendered expectations for women across the world. A glossary of Arabic terms helps to make the work accessible.
Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero
Nadiya Hussain, the 2015 winner of BBC’s The Great British Bake Off, has been captivating fans everywhere with her charisma and creative recipes especially in her shows, 
This review was originally published in 
