'Zahra's Blessing' author Shirin Shamsi wrote the children's book about Ramadan years ago for her kids, but it was rejected by publishers.
VILLA PARK, Ill. -- A Chicago-area mother's mission to create a children's book with a Ramadan storyline is now reality.
"I wanted them to see books that mirrored their own experiences and books where they felt seen and validated," Shamsi said."So I just decided I'm going to write a book about Ramadan."Illustrator Manal Mirza saw herself in Shamsi's first draft decades ago, when Shamsi actually read to Mirza's elementary school class. And now Mirza is the artist to bring the story to life with colors, patterns and images inspired by Southeast Asian cultures.
Shamsi and Mirza read their new book"Zahra's Blessing" to the students at the Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park on Wednesday. Among the students listening was a 5th grade student named Zaara.
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