Interview with Aya Khalil

Photo by Dr. Kasumi Yamazaki

 We are excited to interview Aya Khalil, co-founder of Kidlit in Color, about her latest picture book, Ramadan for Everyone. Read below. 

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

AK: Ramadan for Everyone is a companion book to my other picture book, The Night Before Eid. In the summer of 2023, my editor at Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano, Jessica Anderson, and I brainstormed ideas for a second book and we both loved this idea of two sisters observing Ramadan but one struggles a bit. This was my tightest picture book deadline, though, so I had a few weeks to draft and send it to my critique partners who were giving me feedback the day I sent it to them! We went back and forth a few times and then I sent it to Jessica. We went through some edits together and then it went through acquisitions and got acquired! She's a brilliant editor and I am so glad I worked with her again and Rashin got to do the illustrations once more.


 KLiC: What kind of research did you do for Ramadan for Everyone? 

AK: I did A LOT of research! This picture book has more religious aspects that The Night Before Eid because Ramadan is a religious holiday for Muslims! I wanted vey accurate information so I consulted a Muslim religious leader, Imam A.R. Chao and he was very thorough with feedback. Although I am an observant Muslim, when you're writing picture books, the text not only has to be factually accurate, but also relevant to young children and it was a bit challenging because of the Islamic terms like taqwa had to be explained really well but also simple for children. I ended up adding lot of back matter to further explain more complex terms in details. 

KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book?

AK: ​There's a few that I absolutely love, but the spread with baba and his two daughters in the car is my absolutely favorite for several reasons. Arab and Muslim men are often vilified in the media and I wanted to make sure this baba really stands out as a caring, loving, compassionate, Arab and Muslim father who loves his daughters. He's very involved; he's a professional chef and makes them the best food during Ramadan and his daughters love to help him. This is actually the norm in many Arab households! It's a peaceful and wholesome moment in the car where it's sunset, Habeeba is happy about her accomplishment and baba is encouraging and kind. It reminds me of drives to and from the masjid with my dad and sister; even his outfit is similar to what my dad wears! 

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

Ramadan is a special months for Muslims and Muslim children of all ages can participate! I hope Muslim kids feel seen of course and that this book is highlighted during the month so they can relate. I hope kids of all faiths learn something about Muslims and Ramadan. I also hope adults who are Muslims enjoy it because growing up I never had these books, so I wrote this book for us too. 

KLiC: What’s next for you? 

I am so excited for my board that I co-wrote with one of my best friends, Bayan Lahham, to come out this fall. It's called A Party of Colors and it's about a child and his dad going through a car wash, but it's the child's first time and seeing it through his eyes is so fun! It's illustrated by Olivia Asser and published by Charlesbridge and their partnership with STEAMWORKS.

Aya Khalil is an award-winning author. She holds a master’s degree in Education with a focus in teaching English as a second Language. Aya and her books have been featured in Oprah Daily, Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Yahoo!, Book Riot and USA Today. Her writing has been published in The Huffington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, Toledo Area Parent and many others. Aya’s picture books and board books have won numerous awards and honors including The Arab American Book Award and NCTE’s Charlotte Huck Award. Learn more at www.ayakhalil.com

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