Shazia Afzal is a teacher and storyteller interested in telling stories for young Muslim readers. She immigrated to Canada in 2002 and now lives in Mississauga, Ontario. With illustrator Aliya Ghare, Afzal released a true story about the physical shipment of a mosque to Inuvik in arctic Canada in Journey of the Midnight Sun (Orca Book Publishers, 2022).
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
The Eidi Bag
Illustrated by Shiva Delsooz.
Toronto: Owlkids Books, 2025.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Today is Sarah’s first Eid Ul Fitr in her new country. She’s excited to celebrate the breaking of the fast with her loved ones, and collect enough money in her Eidi bag to buy goodies for her friends, and a new set of markers for herself. In Pakistan, after the Eid prayer at the masjid, Sarah’s friends and family would fill her bag with coins. But in her new country, no one pays any attention to her waiting Eidi bag. Sarah is disappointed—this year’s Eid celebration is nothing like she thought it would be.
Later that evening, friends and family arrive at Sarah’s house to celebrate Eid. She greets them at the door, wearing her Eidi bag just in case. But instead of money, the guests come bearing other gifts: baklava, candies, flowers, and a new set of markers! Sarah still misses Pakistan, but she’s delighted by the gift-giving traditions of her new home.
Fiction (Juvenile, Board book)
The Sleepy Farmer
Oakville, ON: Compass Books, 2021.
Publisher’s Synopsis
Farmer Salman sleeps deeply while the animals all wake up at fajr time. Will he wake up in time for fajr too?
Links
Publisher Owlkids Books
Publisher Compass Books Inc. (Note, the site is closing at the end of December 2024.)