PRESS RELEASE : "WHAT AM I? BOOK 2" BY ASIILA IMANI & PAPATIA FEAUXZAR
A MUSLIM PICTURE BOOK DEDICATED TO MULTI-ETHNICITY CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD
DALLAS, TX — June 1st, 2019. DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING has officially released What Am I ? Book 2 by African American Muslim Author Asiila Imani and Ivorian American Muslim Author Papatia Feauxzar.
About the main character : Toa Idris is six years old. One of his favorite things to do is listening to G-Ma tell him about his rich ancestral roots. Sometimes Toa becomes a little confused. G-Ma says that his people come from many places: islands in the Pacific Ocean, the west coast of Africa, Europe, China, and the original Native Americans. What race can Toa be? Join Toa as he uncovers the answer to this question.
1. Why did you decide to co-author What Am I? Book2 ?
After receiving a copy of WHAT AM I? Book 1, which coincided with the birth of my first grandchild, author Papatya and I ended up discussing my grand’s varied background. She suggested it would be a fascinating addition to her series. I was a bit skeptical, until she sent a draft prompting me to fill in the details and completing the story. In the process of explaining the intricacies of the people and cultures that came together to ‘make’ this child, I became a believer in the project. I never knew how many decisions and work it takes to put together a children’s book. It was an eye opening learning experience.
2. What do you want to achieve with this children's book?
I would like the children who read this to realize that all of us have a varied and interesting family history. As we know, there’s already a huge interest in ancestry mostly among adults. I’m hoping this book will intrigue children to become interested in their current and past ancestors. I hope they ask their elders questions about their childhoods, memories, distance relatives etc. The research could go beyond ethnic or racial connections too. I’d like children (and adults) to realize that all of us—as different as we can be—are ultimately connected and worthy. After all, God thought enough of each and every one of us to say “BE!”
Imani’s reviewers have these to say about her first children’s book:
“Adorable.”
“It was well written, interesting and very insightful. I really enjoyed it.”
“I liked this very much, especially since it’s based on a real family. This book could be used in classrooms. I envision a number of family history projects students could come up with. Even a math teacher could use it to teach fractions.”
“The different ways people celebrate birth, babies and children always touch me. It was nice learning about two more.”
"I like that the book is written in first person, from the viewpoint of the little boy. He explains himself very well, and it is fun for kids to read the story from the perspective of a child like them… The book ends with Tao Idris explaining that Allah made each person the way they are, and that each person should be thankful for the way they are created. This is a very important concept to teach children, and the book is perfect for reading to children and discussing deep issues in a fun way." — Shifa Safadi at Muslim Mommy Blog
“This incredibly important 37 page picture book highlighting a little boy’s heritage will speak to children who see themselves in his quest to answer what he is, as well as (hopefully) inspire them to search out their own family ancestry and unique make up. “— Kirin, Islamic School Librarian
“This book will be beneficial for all children especially those who are biracial or multiracial in helping them understand all of their ethnicities. Overall, this is a cute book that will be welcomed in every child’s library. Any book that can make a 10-year-old laugh out loud is a win! “— Safa Brown, Black Seedlings
"What I liked the most about this book was the fact that difficult concepts aren’t shied away from... I also appreciated that the message – to be tolerant and accepting of all people, no matter their colour or nationality is very well spelled out in the book’s conclusion." — The Imperfect Muslimah
"Alhamdullilah this book is a resourceful book that needs to be read in every household."— Tales with Mimi
Join us from May 31st to June 4th, 2019 on social media for the book launch and blog tours.
About the authors:
Asiila Imani is an African American doula, midwife, editor and writer. She has a B.A. in Communications and two grown sons whom she homeschooled. She finally became a grandma and thoroughly enjoys spending time with her own “Oogie Boogie.” She is the author of Essay Three in Love, InshAllah. Check out her Amazon and/or Goodreads pages.
Papatia Feauxzar is an American author of West African descent living in Dallas, Texas with her son and husband. She holds a master’s degree in accounting with a concentration in personal finance. After working as an accountant for a corporate firm for almost five years, Feauxzar decided to pursue accounting from home while homeschooling her son. Feauxzar also writes YA and adult fiction. The Ducktrinors is one of her many published novels. Visit her at A Ducktrinor Mom.
What Am I? Book 2 is available on Djarabi Kitabs Publishing's website , Amazon on eBook and paperback formats, and Fofky's Online Book Cafe. Add it to your Goodreads shelf here.
CONTACTS
Djarabi Kitabs Publishing
PO BOX 703733
Dallas, TX 75370
USA
Email: editor@djarabikitabs.com
