Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

A heroic voice in children’s books

A heroic voice in children’s books

AUTHOR ZANIB MIAN DISCUSSES HER LATEST WORK

MORE lead characters from diverse backgrounds are finally being featured in children’s books and that is largely thanks to talented authors such as Zanib Mian.


She has successfully written a whole host of books, including her popular Planet Omar series, which has a young Muslim protagonist. The latest in that series is the newly released Planet Omar Epic Hero Flop, which once again sees the title character get into more trouble after heroically taking the blame for something he didn’t do. This is another successful chapter in the story of a children’s author who has helped to bring diversity into books for the young.

Eastern Eye caught up with Zanib Mian to discuss her latest book, inspirations, and the secret to writing a great children’s book.

What first connected you to writing children’s books?

It was in 2007, with the realisation, when building my son’s library, that some two decades later, things hadn’t changed since I was a little girl. Minorities were still missing from fun stories. There were no Asian heroes in books.

What led towards the creation of Planet Omar?

I had only written picture books before the Planet Omar series, perhaps, as my boys, who fully inspire my stories, were a lot younger when I started writing. As they grew, my imagination was tickled by how much fun I could have narrating a story in the voice of a young cheeky Pakistani boy. But my real impetus was Trump’s presidency campaign, Brexit, and all the racism fuelled by these both. I knew that the world needed to meet a regular Muslim family next door.

What has the experience of writing the books been like? 

Just wonderful! It’s a dream to do what you love, day in and day out. Crafting each story has been an incredible experience – bringing interesting characters to life, with many layers of their personality; thinking up exciting plots with the unexpected; and of course, the real-life goofiness and comical moments – all of my mind’s choosing. It’s such fun.

Tell us about the latest book in the series?

The latest book is the fourth in the series, not including the stand-alone Planet Omar World Book Day 2021 that I had the absolute honour of writing. Epic Hero Flop features another of Omar’s edge-of-the-seat mishaps, when he gets blamed for something big at school, which he didn’t do. This book has some really important themes of mindfulness that Omar uses to get himself through this hard time. It’s something I wanted to include, because I feel adults and children alike need to nourish their mental and emotional health after the difficult times the pandemic has caused.

How does it compare to the other Planet Omar books?

Omar’s always facing some sort of lifechallenge, and he navigates his way through by using wit, integrity and unassuming charm. This one is no different, with life-challenge number four (five including the World Book Day book).

Does the success of the other books put pressure on you?

(Laughs) Thanks! A kind question. Yes and no.

Tell us about the fantastic illustrations in the book?

They are fantastic fun. Books one to three were illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik, but for book four, there’s a new illustrator, Kyan Cheng. It’s fabulous to have the doodles aid the words on each and every page.

So, what is the secret of writing a good children’s book?

Lead inset Planet Omar by Zanib Mian 0983 1

 

Think like a child!

Have you learned anything new while writing these books?

You know something incredibly funny? I have learnt that I have been trying to empower children through these books. I’ve learnt to be comfortable in my own skin, and that being ‘different’ to everyone else around you is absolutely fine.

Is it a challenge to get kids connected to books in the technology era?

Not according to the many parents and teachers that send me messages to say how flabbergasted they are by kids not putting the books down. I feel so blessed to hear such things.

What can we expect next from you?

Oooh, I wish I could say! (Does fun evil laugh) Let’s just say I’m feeling villainous! I’m just starting to write Planet Omar book five, and hopefully, there will be a whole new book coming soon, too.

What inspires you as a writer?

Every day happenings and the people I meet or stare at like the nosey people lover that I am.

What do you enjoy reading and do you have a favourite book?

My favourite is Tolkien’s The Hobbit. I enjoy reading picture books (ahem, to kids).

Why do you love being a writer?

I love making a difference in a child’s life by empowering them with important life lessons and values, through an exciting and entertaining story that will make them giggle. That is a neat little gift to give a kid.

Zanib Mian, a World Book Day author this year, is the author of the Planet Omar series and her next book Planet Omar: Epic Hero Flop (Hodder Children’s Books) is out now.

More For You

Aldi product recall

Aldi is urging customers to dispose of or return specific food and health products for a full refund

iStock

Aldi recall alert: Contaminated and allergen-risk products pulled from shelves in 37 US states

Highlights

  • Multiple Aldi products recalled due to metal contamination and undeclared allergens
  • Affected items include seafood, taquitos, pork carnitas, vitamins, and churro bites
  • Customers in 37 US states advised to discard or return products
  • No related illnesses reported to date

Safety warnings prompt widespread Aldi product recall

Aldi has issued a series of product recalls across 37 US states following safety concerns involving undeclared allergens and potential contamination. The supermarket chain, in collaboration with suppliers and federal agencies, is urging customers to dispose of or return specific food and health products for a full refund.

The recalls are part of ongoing efforts to mitigate consumer health risks associated with allergen exposure and foreign matter contamination.

Keep ReadingShow less
Queen Camilla

She is wearing a turquoise dress with a rainforest-themed print featuring monkeys, toucans, and lemurs

Getty Images

New photo released to celebrate Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday

Highlights

  • Queen Camilla turns 78 and is expected to celebrate privately at home
  • Official birthday portrait taken at Raymill House, Wiltshire
  • Outfit features rainforest-themed print; jewellery includes iconic diamond ring
  • Recent royal duties include state visits, Trooping the Colour, and military engagements
  • Appointed Vice Admiral of the UK on the same day

Queen Camilla marks birthday with relaxed countryside portrait

A new photograph of Queen Camilla has been released by Buckingham Palace to mark her 78th birthday. The image, captured by royal photographer Chris Jackson, shows the Queen leaning on a metal gate in a field at her private home, Raymill House, in Wiltshire.

She is wearing a turquoise dress with a rainforest-themed print featuring monkeys, toucans, and lemurs. Her accessories include gold drop earrings, her wedding band, a five-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring, and a distinctive gold ring composed of circular plaques.

Keep ReadingShow less
Babies born free of mitochondrial disease

8 babies have been born in the UK using genetic material from 3 people

iStock

Babies born free of mitochondrial disease using DNA from 3 people

Highlights

  • Eight babies were born in the UK using DNA from three individuals to prevent mitochondrial disease
  • The technique combines egg and sperm from parents with mitochondria from a donor egg
  • Legal in the UK since 2015; results show children are meeting expected milestones
  • One in 5,000 babies are born with mitochondrial disease; no known cure exists
  • Newcastle scientists pioneered the technique, now used under NHS specialist service

UK births mark milestone in preventing inherited mitochondrial disease

Eight babies have been born in the UK using genetic material from three people in a pioneering effort to prevent incurable mitochondrial disease, doctors have confirmed. The technique, developed by researchers in Newcastle, represents a significant breakthrough in reproductive medicine and genetic science.

These births are the first proven cases in the UK of healthy children being born free of devastating mitochondrial disorders thanks to this technique, which has been legal in the country since 2015.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sainsbury

The rollout is part of Sainsbury’s broader Nectar Prices strategy

iStock

Sainsbury’s brings personalised Nectar discounts to all checkouts

Highlights

  • Sainsbury’s will roll out Your Nectar Prices to physical checkouts nationwide from 25 July.
  • Scheme gives loyalty members access to personalised discounts based on shopping habits.
  • Over 17 billion tailored offers generated since launch; £60m saved by customers in the last year.
  • More than one million shoppers currently use the feature weekly.
  • Offers now available in-store, online, via app, and soon, at checkout.

Sainsbury's brings personalised loyalty savings directly to the tills

Sainsbury’s will extend its Your Nectar Prices programme to checkouts across the UK starting Friday, 25 July. The move allows Nectar members to receive personalised discounts directly at the tills for the first time, as part of the retailer’s continued investment in digital loyalty.

The supermarket has already issued over 17 billion tailored offers since launching the scheme, with more than one million customers using it weekly. According to the retailer, these offers have helped shoppers collectively save £60 million over the past year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kew Gardens begins ambitious revamp of Palm House

The Palm House, along with the neighbouring Waterlily House, will be transformed

Getty Images

Kew Gardens begins ambitious revamp of Palm House to cut carbon emissions

Highlights

  • Kew Gardens will shut its iconic Palm House for up to four years
  • Grade I-listed building to undergo major restoration as part of net-zero strategy
  • Gas boilers to be replaced with modern heat pumps
  • Rare plant collection, including 45 endangered species, to be relocated during works
  • Palm House and Waterlily House will become the first net-zero glasshouses globally

Historic Palm House to undergo major upgrade

Kew Gardens will temporarily close one of its most recognisable landmarks, the Grade I-listed Palm House, for up to four years as part of an ambitious net-zero redevelopment plan. Opened in 1848, the glasshouse is home to a globally significant collection of tropical plants and houses the world’s oldest potted plant—an Encephalartos altensteinii dating back to 1775.

The Palm House, along with the neighbouring Waterlily House, will be transformed into the world’s first net-zero glasshouses through a large-scale renovation focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

Keep ReadingShow less