Khadija Academy Cookbook for First Years

So I received an email from a young Zahra fan who asked me what happened to the Khadija Academy Cookbook for First Years. Oh yeah, I answered. I need to finish that. So this month will be dedicated to re-testing/adding my own little touch to the recipes before they are included in the cookbook. Today I made chicken fried rice. Simple dish that any young girl or boy could make. I also made spicy french bean curry (not sure will include that in the cookbook). Here it is:

Visit to Parliament

So I had the absolute pleasure in taking year 6 school children to the Houses of Parliament for a visit. Sweet to see a few stand at the despatch box in the chamber pretending to be Prime Minister. Absolute rubbish to suggest that children from inner city areas unaware of politics. They even recognised the statue of Mrs Thatcher (but the 'Iron Lady' film might have something to do with that). They loved it, I loved it and I'm looking forward to inviting more schools. More details at www.bibifoundation.org.uk

Secrets of the Henna Girl in 2012

So a happy new year for 2012 to all my readers. It always takes me a while to get back into work after the holiday period, hence my best wishes twelve days into the new month. This year will, iA, see the release of my new book with Puffin Books. It's called 'Secrets of the Henna Girl'. I'm very excited about the launch which will be in March 2012. Puffin Books kindly gave me a sample copy for now.

Muslim Writers Awards 2011

I've been away far too long from the blog ... blame my new book. What have I been up to? Quite alot but I'm only going to higlight one event which I attended. It was the Muslim Writers Awards held at the Shakespeare's Globe in London. A lovely venue by the river Thames. I had the honour of presenting the award for 'best unpublished children's story' to Mehdad Sinclair. Wonderful evening.

Visit to Batley library

I was invited by Batley Central Library to do a reading from my Zahra books today. A lovely sunny Saturday brought out lots of young children and their mums to the Gallery Room at the Carnegie library.
I read from some of my favourite chapters from my books. One of them was from’ Zahra’s Great Debate’ called ‘Spider’s Pie’. A somewhat mischievous Zahra takes revenge on her enemy Saira by depositing live spiders in a shepherds pie ... which Saira then eats!

Disgusting, I know, but I think the children in the room enjoyed that chapter. I also read from ‘Zahra’s Trip to Misr’, the third book in which Zahra and her best friend Marya witness the runaway camel flee into the desert with an Academy pupil on her back. Who is the girl? Well, seeing as Zahra’s best friends, Hannah and Jo, are responsible for scaring the poor camel, most of the children guessed the unfortunate girl to be Saira!

I also took delight in showing the children the image that will feature on the cover of the fourth Zahra book. The title is ‘Zahra’s Second Year at the Khadija Academy’. It will be released, IA, in December 2011.

Thank you to Chris and Jane for arranging the event and making me feel so welcome. Thank you also to the mums who invited me to their children’s schools. I would love to come back to Batley! x

Brit Writers Awards 2011

Had a great time at the Brit Writers Awards last night. Held at Madame Tussauds, the evening recognised new unpublished writers, poets and songwriters. These events do make a difference in bringing new talent to everyone's attention. Last year's winner was Catherine Cooper whose book 'The Golden Acorn' has been published. Since then she's sold foreign rights to her work and has even had Hollywood buy her film rights!
Well done, Catherine.
If you're feeling inspired the Brit Writers Awards Unpublished 2012 is open now for submissions. www.britwriters.co.uk

(with the lovely Zareen Roohi Ahmed, co-organiser of the Brit Writers Awards
and Orianne Breakspear, the winner of the under 16s poetry)

British Muslim Fictions

Had a lovely time last night at the launch of Claire Chamber's book 'British Muslim Fictions' in Bayswater. The synopsis is below. Worth a read if you're interested in British Muslim fiction.
(Photo: Shelina Zahra Janmohamed, me, Claire Chamber & Wendy Meddour

Synopsis

What does it mean to be a writer of Muslim heritage in the UK today? Is there such a thing as 'Muslim fiction'? In a collection of revealing new interviews, Claire Chambers talks to writers including Tariq Ali, Ahdaf Soueif, Hanif Kureishi, and Abdulrazak Gurnah to discuss the impact that their Muslim heritage has had on their writing, and to argue that this body of writing is some of the most important and politically engaged fiction of recent years. From literary techniques and influences to the political and cultural debates that matter to Muslims in Britain and beyond - such as the hijab, the war on terror and the Rushdie affair - these thirteen interviews challenge the idea of a monolithic voice for Islam in Britain. Instead, together they paint a picture of the diversity of voices creating 'British Muslim fictions' which ultimately enriches the cultural, social and political landscape of contemporary Britain.

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/claire+chambers/british+muslim+fictions/8538051/