Zanib Mian
Zanib Mian fell in love with writing at primary school. After studying molecular cell biology at University College London, she taught science in secondary school before deciding to move into children’s publishing. Zanib felt that characters from all minorities were missing from books for young children and launched Sweet Apple Publishers with a clear commitment to publishing inclusive books.
Her books include Oddsockosaurus and The Robot That Said Moo. They have featured on the BBC’s CBeebies Bedtime Stories show and in the Guardian for their contribution to diverse children’s literature. The Muslims won the 2018 Little Rebels Award and was longlisted for the 2018 UKLA Book Awards. She has also been nominated for the 2019 Carnegie Medal. Zanib lives in Wembley, London.
Books
It MUST Have Been You!
Author: Zanib Mian Illustrator: Fatima Mian
Publisher: Sweet Apple Publishers
Interest age: 5-6
Reading age: 5+
A little girl gets into trouble again and again but gets love when she apologises. This is a lovely book celebrating the power of saying sorry, as well as one that recognises that children sometimes feel like they haven’t done anything wrong at all!
Meet the Maliks, Twin Detectives: The Cookie Culprit
Author: Zanib Mian Illustrator: Kyan Cheng
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 6-7
Reading age: 7+
Can Maysa and Musa solve the mystery of who destroyed the competition cookies? Relatable and funny, this is a story about everyday family life, with a gentle mystery and a BIG lie at the heart of it.
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
Author: Zanib Mian Illustrator: Nasaya Mafaridik
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 8-11
Reading age: 8+
Planet Omar has all of the everyday life family drama and silly humour of Tom Gates and Sam Wu, and it's wonderful to read a funny book for kids featuring a Muslim family.
Planet Omar: Incredible Rescue Mission
Author: Zanib Mian
Illustrator: Nasaya Mafaridik
Publisher: Hodder
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 8+
Omar and his friends launch a mission to rescue their favourite teacher and make a disturbing discovery: she has undoubtedly been abducted by aliens!
Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy
Author: Zanib Mian Illustrator: Nasaya Mafaridik
Publisher: Hodder
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+
Omar's mosque is in danger of being closed down, so quick-thinking Omar holds a school talent show to raise the money needed for the emergency building repairs. When the money goes missing, it's up to Omar and his friends to become super spies to track down the culprit!