Daily Inspiration: Meet Aya Khalil

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aya Khalil.

Hi Aya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was born in Egypt and immigrated with my parents and brother when I was one. Growing up until high school, I was usually the only Muslim and Arab in the grade, if not the school (aside from my brother and one other girl in middle school). I loved reading and was always in my room with a book. But I rarely saw myself in books with positive portrayals. When I had kids of my own, I began to notice this even more. Where were all the Muslim and Arab characters in books? I didn’t want my kids to grow up not feeling seen. I wanted them to see positive portrayals of Muslims and Arabs in books and for it to just be a normal thing to see.

I was ecstatic when my first picture book, The Arabic Quilt, illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan was published in 2020 by a small independent publisher and won a few awards. I loved receiving emails from parents and educators telling me their students/kids felt seen and could relate to the story. My second book, Our World: Egypt, a board book, came out in October, illustrated by Magda Azab. My third one comes out on March 7th, called The Night Before Eid, and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. I have a fourth one coming out called The Great Banned Books Bake Sale, illustrated by Anait, which is based on true events when The Arabic Quilt and other books were banned at Central York District in 2021.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were a lot of struggles along the way. Finding a literary agent and publishing house is not an easy feat. Writing a picture book, although it’s less than 1000 words, is very difficult. I took classes, found critique partners, and asked for help, and got support from fellow writers. At one point, I thought The Arabic Quilt would not get published and forgot about it. Further, when it was published in February 2020, a month before the pandemic hit, all of my events were canceled.

I am grateful it still sold really well and was particularly popular amongst educators. In 2021 when it was banned, it was really upsetting that kids couldn’t check out this book from York Central District. Arab American authors are very underrepresented, so the fact that kids couldn’t see this book on bookshelves was frustrating. Thankfully it was reversed due to student protests.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an award-winning children’s book author. I write about things like Arab and Muslim joy, immigration, friendship, intergenerational relationships, Egypt, holidays, and more.

My books have won awards and starred reviews. I am proud that kids are able to see themselves in my books and hopefully encourage them to be unapologetic about who they are and empower them to be the heroes of their own stories.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I always believe that working hard, asking for help when needed and taking a step back, and reflecting on your work, including rejections or challenges are all parts of moving forward. Yes, I’ve gotten dozens, if not over a hundred rejections over the short course of my author career, but it’s all part of the process.

Writing and publishing a children’s book is very challenging but having a support group and other writer friends is very helpful. My co-authors at Kidlit in Color, which I co-founded, are always there to support me. I am so blessed to have many other author friends who answer my questions and give support. I am also part of the Muslim Storytellers Fellowship at Highlights Foundation and I am truly grateful for all of these beautiful opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ayakhalil.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ayakhalilauthor
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ayakhalilauthor
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ayawrites

Image Credits
Kasumi Yamazaki