We are so excited to interview debut picture book author, Nazneen Akbari. Read our Q&A with her about her book, Home Away from Home, below. 

KLiC: What inspired Home Away from Home?

Nazneen Akbari: It was one of those ordinary afternoons that unexpectedly changed everything. I was nursing my baby while reading a book to my three-year-old when he asked, “Mama, are there any books about Oman?” That question made me pause.

I realized there were very few books in mainstream American children’s literature that represented Middle Eastern children or told joyous stories from the region. That’s how it began. I was also in the middle of the pandemic, raising children and wondering how I might reshape my career in a way that allowed me to be present for them. Writing this story felt like something calling me.

KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take to write and sell this book?

NA: My daughter was six months old when I began writing, and she was six years old when the book finally came out into the world!

I come from a journalism background, so writing wasn’t new to me, but picture books are an entirely different craft. The early versions of this story looked nothing like the book you see today. I revised it over and over again at one point I counted and realized I had 80 drafts saved on my laptop.

It also took three years to sell the manuscript. There were several rounds of revisions with editors before it was acquired. And after that came another wait while the publisher searched for the right illustrator. But when the artwork came in, I knew immediately, it was worth that wait.

KLiC: What kind of research did you do for the book?

NA: In many ways, this book came more from memory than research. As a child, I visited the Omani market many times a year. It was always a magical place -- the colors, the sounds, the smells of spices and frankincense, the chatter of people. So while writing the story, I simply returned to those childhood memories and the sense of wonder I felt walking through the market as a little girl.

KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book?

NA: If I absolutely had to pick one spread, it would be the moment when Nuha first arrives in Oman. There are so many details in that scene -- the women in traditional dress, the men, the colors of the mountains, the expressions of the people. And then there’s Nuha’s face, which says everything without a single word. It captures that moment of wonder and uncertainty all at once.
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KLiC: What’s the one thing you hope children take away from this book?

NA: I hope children realize that their culture and their family roots are something to be proud of. Those roots make them unique. They’re not something to hide or tuck away; they’re something to wear proudly, like a crown.

KLiC: Do you have any advice for pre-published authors?

NA: Most will tell you to keep reading and keep writing and that advice is absolutely true. But here’s something important: take breaks.

Writing for children is a beautiful journey, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of constant comparison and endless productivity, always feeling like you should be writing, marketing, or doing the next thing. That leads to burnout.

At one point I pushed myself so hard that it began affecting my health. I eventually stepped away from writing. During that time, I focused on rest, family, yoga and spending time with friends.

When I returned to writing, I came back healthier, clearer, and joyful. So protect your joy and your well-being. 

KLiC: What’s next for you? 

NA: My agent is currently out in the world with a few more of my manuscripts, so fingers crossed! I’m hopeful some of those stories soon find their home too.

Nazneen Akbari is an Indian American, who grew up in Oman, and has lived all over the world thanks to school, work, and a healthy dose of wanderlust. She’s no stranger to the question, “Where are you from?” a puzzle she answers with her parent's Indian roots and her deep love for the Omani culture she grew up in. Though she’s lived in many countries, Oman remains close to her heart and is a place she will always call home. By day, she works for the U.S. Department of State. By night, she’s dreaming up picture books and enjoying life in Pennsylvania with her husband and three kids.

​Janet Costa Bates is proud to share her Cape Verdean American heritage through the RICA BAPTISTA series and picture book, SEASIDE DREAM. Honors for her picture book TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE include an NAACP Image Award nomination, starred reviews, and multiple 'best books' lists. Her latest book, LOVE GROWS HERE, will be gifted to 70% of newborn families in Connecticut through the Read to Grow organization. When she's not doing bookish stuff, she enjoys letting her grandchildren wear her out. You can find Janet online at janetcostabates.com  and on Instagram @jcostabates. 

Today we feature Sili Recio & Elena Lawrence and their picture book, The Other Side of the Garden, illustrated by Brianna McCarthy.

KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book?

Elena told me this story on November 2, 2019. I know the date because it was recounted during one of our nighttime convos. She said "when I was little" and that phrase, combined with the things she was saying, made me take notes as she spoke. I wasn't sure what this would become, but it felt like such an important story. It sat in my notes app and I slowly created the full story around what she shared. I didn't send a proposal until July of 2021. Months later, I spoke to Denene Millner, my editor, and we talked about the themes. I took lots of notes, edited the story and submitted the final draft. We received a formal offer in October of 2022. 
 
KLiC: What kind of research did you do for The Other Side of the Garden?

Because this was a story that Elena recounted as a lived experience, there wasn't a lot to research around the heart of the story. The research we did was around what other books existed in the space for kids. I felt that there was a need for more books like this one, and I'm now glad that it's here for others. I'm especially grateful to be in the company of a book like The Toy Airplane which offers another opportunity to dance with the topic of grief.

KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book?

Brianna is such a brilliant illustrator. This book wouldn't land with the power, beauty and depth that the story carries without her illustrations. When I saw the first sketches, my breath caught in my chest at the spread toward the end of the book where it shows the little girl's growth over time. I tear up recounting this even now. It reminded me of how much Elena has grown over the years, but also how much life has grown around our grief.
 
Elena: I love every single illustration created by Brianna. I'm truly grateful we have such an amazing artist to help bring this project to life. If I had to pick one, I'd say it's the cover image where the girl is holding the butterfly. I also love the cats that can be found in the background throughout the book.

KLiC: What's the one thing you want children to take away from your book?

Elena: I hope that when kids read this book, they gain a sense of comfort. It can be hard losing someone at a young age, but it's important to understand it gets easier with support from others.
 
Sili: I want children to feel seen and validated. We don't often explore what children are feeling after the loss of a loved one because they might not have the words to explain. I pray this gives them visibility and an understanding that they're not alone.
 
KLiC: What's next for you?

​Elena would probably say college. She will be a junior next year and we are already discussing college visits, SATs, and application essays. I'm sitting in expectation as to what our little book will do for her as she moves forward in life. That's been the unexpected treat this project has provided.
 
For me? There's another children's book in the works and I'm mulling over several other projects for older children and adults. But immediately next is the desire to be present with this new book, to sit with people in their grief – children especially – as this book makes it out into the world.

Elena Djome Lawrence is an artist and violinist who excels in both her schoolwork and creative projects. Her literary debut picture book The Other Side of the Garden was inspired by a story she shared with her mother when she was nine years old. Her imaginative telling of her own grief serves as the foundation of the book, offering inspiration to those navigating their own journeys of loss.

Headshot credit: Deshay Washingtongton)