Creating positive narratives for  children, about what it is to be a  Muslim is becoming increasingly important with current climate.  Ruqaya’s Bookshelf, is currently accepting manuscript submissions for advanced picture books and chapter books for children, featuring ‘Muslim protaganists’ and diverse characters.

Ruqaya’s Bookshelf is a publishing company based in Toronto, Canada, started by writer and social worker Asmaa Hussein. After her husband was killed in Egypt in 2013, when her daughter was just nine months old – she was suddenly left to deal with dealing with her loss and grief, and as well as raising her daughter by herself, in the way that she wanted to. Dissatisfied with the lack of ‘good quality Islamic books’, and accessible parenting resources for parents left in situations like her’s, she decided to start Ruqaya’s Bookshelf(named after daughter) as a way to remedy this.

On the website, Asmaa writes and posts letters to daughter Ruqaya for her to read when she is older as well as blogging about her experiences as a single parent, and everything she has learnt from her own experience.  It also has a store page with access to Islamic children’s books, as well as her own books that she has written. There is also a section containing activities and resources for children to use at home.

They are looking for submissions of advanced picture books and chapter books, featuring Muslim protagonists, with characters from diverse backgrounds, aim to publish stories representing Muslim children that are interesting to both a Muslim and non-Muslim audience.

If you are a children’s writer ( or a budding one) passionate about creating diverse stories for children, that are positively representative of Muslims, then check out their page to find out more details on how to submit your story, as well as submission guidelines.

This is the perfect opportunity to step up and be part of shaping a new positive narrative for Muslim children.