Narmeen Lakhani

Narmeen Lakhani is an Ismaili Muslim writer and educational media producer in the children’s media industry. Having begun her professional career in the international development sector, her creative work aims to show the value of a pluralistic world in which people of different faiths and cultures benefit from a multiplicity of narratives that are connected in their search for common truths. She is currently working on a middle-grade novel on the themes of identity and family. Learn more at htt

Narmeen Lakhani is one of ten Fellows named in the inaugural Highlights Foundation Diversity Fellowship. Working with celebrated mentors and faculty, each Fellow will receive five unique opportunities at the Highlights Foundation retreat center focused on craft, community, and mentorship; as well as remote guidance on works-in-progress and publishing goals.

Nina wants to wear something special for the big Grandparents’ Day celebration. Abuelita offers to help by giving Nina an old dress of hers that has special meaning, but Nina doesn’t appreciate the gesture and wants to wear something new instead. With the help of the Star Amigos, Nina realizes that even old items can be special through the memories they share. Image Credit: IMDB

Anita Ali from apartment 3D had been waiting six whole years for her official shoe-in ceremony. After all, she was the only girl in all of Clumsistan who still had to wear training toes in public! Oh, how she hated those ugly, itchy, sweaty rubber things that stuck onto your feet so that you couldn’t even wiggle your toes. But, today would be different.

Last week was my 16th birthday, which usually coincided with the last day of school before summer vacation and also my last day in whichever obscure town we happened to be hiding out in that year. By “we”, I mean me and my grandmother...

It was time to load up the minivan for the annual Alibhai family reunion at Hawke’s Bay, a cozy beach just outside of Karachi, overlooking the clear waters of the Arabian Sea. This was a popular full-day retreat spot for locals and tourists alike, so one had to make sure that the beach huts were rented well in advance

Manal Rasoi’s family built an empire on their secret butter chicken recipe (no, really, they’ve conquered nine kingdoms with their culinary skills). But their reign is threatened when magical forces decide to stir up some trouble. Manal needs more than a touch of masala spice to save the day!

The Highlights Foundation has announced a two-year fellowship in children’s literature for Muslim Storytellers. The fellowship is funded by a grant with the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s (DDFIA) Building Bridges Program. The mission of the Building Bridges Program is to support national efforts, working with U.S. Muslims, to increase mutual understanding and well-being among diverse populations for the benefit of building stronger, inclusive communities. The fellowship aims to furthe