I wrote a book with my MUM!
Something people probably don’t know about my parents, is that although my dad has a knack for farming, and my mum is a sewing whizz, both my parents are actually secretly talented writers! I remember Mum helping me with my stories for school and competitions – she would have the best ideas and they were super original – I remember one story I wrote in high school, I’d written it from the point of view of a salt shaker (yes! to be honest that was probably her idea too 🤣) and I needed a good title, so in steps Mum with the goods: “How ’bout ‘All Shook Up!’ ?”
Winner. 
There were more of course. I’ve even read some of her own stories, very sweet with a touch of charm.
And then Dad. A regular contributor to his local car club newsletter (and might I add has no qualms writing a bad review 
). My mum does her best to type up his articles as he dictates what he’s written on some notepaper. I’ve read his stuff – it’s gooood! And his speeches I would say are peppered with hilarity!
So, back to the book...
It was after dinner one night, Mum and I sat down to write this book. We were on holiday in Singapore and I saw this brilliant illustration on Instagram by Aissa (one of my super talented illustrators).
I’ve worked with her before on our ‘A Cat Like Me! A Fun Hajj Tale’ book (award-winning too, cough cough ). The drawing was of this bear and bunny under the sea. I thought it was fabulous and thought surely, it must be part of a book she’s working on. And what a cool book it would be. And to be honest I was kicking myself that I hadn’t thought of that myself!
I msgd her and asked about it, and she said it was just an image she did for her art portfolio. And THAT my friend was my inspiration. I thought fantastic … I have an idea for a story. Missed opportunity no more!
And with that I grabbed my laptop, set it up on the hotel dining table and started writing. My mum came over too (sorry crossword puzzle!) and we started writing lines together. Picking character names, testing out rhymes.
We finished it in that one sitting and sent it to Aissa to see if she liked it and would be keen to illustrate the book.
I also sent it to one of my editors and she also loved it Alhamdulillah.
Let me send u the msg!
Above: The actual message! Typos and all! 🤭😉😊😏
So there you have it! The story behind the story — Oh gee mashAllah that sounds good!
And it’s ready for you all soon inshaAllah! So excited! As you can see by this msg, it’s been about a year and a half! Books take time people. But we all have other things going on and Aissa and I work on multiple books/projects so we take our time with it and don’t rush.
So Alhamdulillah!
I also wanna just say a big thank you to my mum for allowing me to make the book suitable for Muslim families that prefer to have faceless images, and sprinkling dhikr throughout.
She didn’t have to let me do that, but she was so cool about it, I’m so grateful 
, Alhamdulillah.
If you’d like to keep posted on when it’s out, join my ‘Emmails’. I share random stories, book and song updates, and free activities for Muslim families. You’re welcome! 
That’s it for now – I’m so beat! I literally spent nearly all day on my computer and I’m definitely feeling it now! So please excuse any typos or awkward sentences! 
Luv n Duas
Wasalaams,
Em xxx
P.S. – wanna read my other blogs? Find them HERE.
About
