A bit about me. My great-aunt and great-uncle immigrated to the United States in the ’70s. There was a shortage of doctors, and visas were being given to foreign medical graduates. My great-aunt, Ayesha, who was financially stable, sponsored my recently widowed grandmother, Sophia.
After struggling with the American immigration system for many years, my parents and I finally immigrated to the United States in 1986. It was not an easy choice. When my father first came to the U.S., he couldn’t get a $500 loan to buy a car. He worked two jobs, and my mother studied twice as hard. After 10 years, they earned their American dream: being an accountant and a physician, giving their two daughters a good education, and keeping the culture and country we left behind alive in our hearts.
My parents and I came to the U.S.A and discovered this new country and culture together. I remember teaching my mother to make French toast at the age of six because I saw Pee Wee Herman make them. I learned about American culture from books, television, and my peers, but my first-generation children have the unique experience of learning about Muslim American and South Asian American culture from me.
I started IslamiMommy to share the traditions and activities that bring joy to my family. It began as a way to offer value to other parents. Now, it has grown into a creative career. While writing my blog posts, I discovered wonderful picture books. In 2019, I asked myself a big, scary question. What was stopping me from writing and illustrating my own stories? So I started the long journey to learn how to write and illustrate picture books and how to navigate the publishing industry. After A LOT of work, I published my first picture book, Moon’s Ramadan (HarperCollins), in February 2023. Alhamdulillah.
Since 2023, my published picture books include Moon’s Ramadan (HarperCollins), Lulu in the Spotlight (HarperCollins), and Bela and Lily (Penguin). Each story reflects a piece of my faith, my culture, and my community. It is history-keeping, not just for my kids but for all kids. A reminder that all our stories are a part of the American story.
Peace & Salam,
Natasha Khan Kazi
