I’m thrilled to be welcoming Ani Bushry in this space to talk about her illustrations for my upcoming book DO YOU EVEN KNOW ME? This book tackles religious discrimination and Ani did a PERFECT job bringing a heavy topic down to a child’s level. Ani’s illustrations of my main character Salma are endearing and animated! I love the variety of emotions she captured.
A starred review about our book: “With colorful, appealing cartoon illustrations and a text that reads aloud well, this touching story encourages kids not only to accept people from different cultures and religions but to stand up for themselves when they’re being bullied.” —ALA Booklist (starred review)
Book Summary: From award-winning author Reem Faruqi, of Amira’s Picture Day, Lailah’s Lunchbox, Milloo’s Mind, and Unsettled, comes an empowering picture book about a girl who stands up for her Muslim culture and identity and counters bullying with love, peace, and kindness.
My name is Salma, which means peace. Islam also means peace. I wish more people knew that.
Salma is Muslim, an identity she takes pride in. But not everyone understands Salma’s religion the way she does, including news reporters, and even a boy in her class, who bullies Salma for belonging to the culture and faith she loves. However, when things go too far, Salma says, “Enough is enough!” and finds the courage to defend herself while also spreading a message of peace.
- Welcome Ani! What do YOU hope people think or feel when they read our book for DO YOU EVEN KNOW ME?
I would love for people to put themselves in Salma’s shoes. Childhood and growing up has many unique challenges. And in Salma’s case it certainly makes it more challenging if you do not ‘fit in’ as neatly. I hope the book empowers children, and encourages them to stand up for themselves when they are being mistreated. This book is a small reminder for readers to be kind, tolerant and accepting and understand how prejudice and misinformation can hurt everyone, and specially kids who are navigating childhood.
2. How did you hear about this project? Does an email land directly in your inbox or go through an agent?
I received a request through my agent, Christy Ewers, from the Cat Agency. I am really grateful that I got to work on an important subject, and appreciate that I got to contribute to bringing the book to life.
3. Could you tell me more about your heartfelt illustrator note?
Spirituality and faith are rooted in the betterment of self and society. Achieving harmony across faith can only be achieved with an open mind, and willingness to see beyond warped stereotypes. While it might be challenging to understand what you’re not familiar with, it is important to understand that what makes us different is part of the beauty of who we are as individuals, what we’re capable of, and how we contribute to society.
4. What drew you to this project?
It is an important topic, and one that should be discussed with children at an early age. To be part of such a message, and to portray it in such a way that it would be easier for children to understand was something that drew me to this project. Salma and her friends and family were written so well, I hoped to portray the depth of the characters visually as well.
5. I’m so glad my story resonated with you! Thank you Ani for bringing this special book of mine to life. I remember seeing your art and being drawn to how much kid-appeal and range of emotions your work captured. Would you share your design process and vision?
After giving the manuscript a thorough read, I start out by making very small thumbnails to plan out the book. In this process I try to work out how the main characters would look visually as well. Once I’ve added enough detail to the thumbnails, so it’s not super rough, I share it with my AD, who in turn shares it with Reem, the editor and team.
Once the thumbnail/sketch stage is approved, I move on to detailed sketches and line drawings. And from here I move on to the colouring stage, which is one of my favourite parts of making a picture book.
Sometimes I go back and forth between the stages, till I’m happy with it and till Reem and the team give it a go ahead.
In each page, I tried to add to Salma’ personality by adding little details to her home and environment. I think it’s a great way to give depth to your characters.
6. What is your favorite page in the book?
It is a tie between the 2nd spread (spread that shows the photo frame of Salma’s family) and the page where Salma says Enough is enough!
7. I love the second page too! Do you have any tips for illustrators or designers?
Working on things that you aren’t familiar with is a great way to push yourself and learn. Spending time on personal illustrations are a great way to express yourself and working with more freedom, both technically and conceptually.
Having an agent is very helpful. Updating your portfolio regularly. Putting work out on social media, even though working the algorithm is challenging, it’s nice when you find a niche that appreciates your work.
8. Just for fun, where’s your favorite local place to go? ( I saw you live in the Maldives, SO COOL!! Do you go to the beach often?) I was looking up a beach photo to share and got distracted by the beaches and resorts!
I would love to say the beach since I live in the Maldives, but I live in the main city, and the beaches are less ideal than many beaches you’d find across the islands of Maldives. When I get the time, I love to get away somewhere there’s a nice beach, good food and plenty of time to unwind and relax.
Aside from that, I would say I’m a homebody, so you can always find me at home with take out or home cooked food, or ‘staying in’ with my friends, playing board games. (Big fan of Settlers of Catan)!
9. What’s your favorite snack?
I love rice crackers with seaweed, or spicy ones. It’s not the most exciting snack but it’s my go to comfort snack. I also love fries! I’d have fries with anything or on their own.
Also there are a lot of local snacks which we usually have for tea in the evening. Savoury pastries, dumplings and finger food which has meat and vegetable fillings, and there are also local sweets and bakes which are sweetened with condensed milk, coconuts and have aromatics such as cardamom and pandan leaves. They are always a good treat!
10. What’s your favorite beauty product or skin care item?
Medik8 range of skin care products are great for me since they don’t irritate my skin. I also love a lot of Korean skin care products. My favourite makeup brand is Bobbi Brown, I think they make really nice shades for brown skin.
11. Any next projects you have coming up? Please share the links of how we can support and follow you!
I’m currently working on a middle grade graphic novel, Off the Cuff, written by Supra Kelkar, which is due to come out in 2025. I’m also working on book 5 and 6 of the Marya Khan series, written by Saadia Faruqi
You can find most of my personal drawings, and updates on upcoming books on my Instagram (@anibushry) and website.
Ani is an author/illustrator from the Maldives. She grew up listening to stories her Mom used to tell her from memory – sometimes made up and some that were local fables from her childhood and since, she has always had a soft spot for drawing and writing stories for children.
She graduated from the University of West of England , and her background is in both graphic design and illustration. She is the illustrator of children’s books Bhangra Baby by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal and the Marya Khan series by Saadia Faruqi. She lives in the Maldives with her husband and their cats.
Please attend our virtual event here: And please order signed copies from my local bookstore here. Books are available wherever books are sold and we would LOVE your support. Pre-orders show the publisher that you our stories matter. And especially in this troubling time Muslim children need books in which they feel seen, heard, and safe!
7 Ways to Support an Author and Illustrator:
- Buy their Book (Pre-orders are great because you are showing the publisher your interest)
- Review their book (Amazon, Goodreads, your social media)
- Borrow their book from the library (this also helps put it on the librarian’s radar!)
- Donate a book to a classroom
- Donate a class set of books to a classroom or a school library (see question 18 for bulk orders and discounts here).
- Talk about their book
- Reach out to the author/illustrator and tell them you liked their book! (or send them a picture of a person reading the book or fan mail.)
Doodling Through Life 