Zanib Mian, a renowned children’s author is all set to release her new book, "Meet the Maliks - Twin Detectives" on August 31, 2023. Overflowing with infectious humour and the author's signature warmth, this upcoming book is a fresh series by Zanib Mian.
Centred around Maysa and Musa Malik, the story introduces a pair of twins who couldn't be more different from each other. However, when they join forces, they become an unbeatable team, particularly when it comes to unravelling mysteries!
Maysa Malik finds it challenging to be as well-behaved as her twin sibling, Musa. In a bid to change her parents' minds after being barred from a school excursion, Maysa participates in a cookie competition hosted at the mosque.
But when the cookies are unexpectedly ruined, Maysa, Musa, and their neighbour Norman must collaborate to crack the case. As they put on their detective hats, they'll need to apprehend the culprit and restore Maysa's reputation.
Mian is best known for her books Planet Omar and Tom Gates and her books have garnered attention on prestigious platforms like BBC's CBeebies Bedtime Stories and The Guardian, recognized for their valuable contribution to enhancing diversity in children's literature.
Observing the underrepresentation of diverse characters from various minorities and backgrounds in literature for young readers, she established Sweet Apple Publishers. This initiative stems from her commitment to produce inclusive books, many of which she has authored herself.
Speaking to Asian Voice, she talks about her book and exploring diverse topics for children.
Can you describe the inspiration behind “Meet the Maliks”? What sparked the concept?
I wanted to share a story set in Ramadan, in a mosque, where there was something chaotic going on. I also wanted to write a girl character, and thought twins would be great fun. From there, I imagined what tumultuous thing could happen to them in Ramadan. The charity cookies being destroyed, leading to a whodunnit idea sprang to mind.
Can you provide a brief overview of the main characters and their personalities? How will young readers connect with them?
Maysa is a sassy but warm-hearted girl, prone to melodrama and speaking before she thinks. Her twin brother Musa is the exact opposite. He’s the voice of reason, keeping Maysa grounded. He’s the kid that breezes through life – the instantly likable one. And then there’s Norman, the next inquisitive and simple-minded next-door neighbour with a knack for mystery-solving. I can’t wait for readers to meet them all!
What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your book? Why are these themes important to you?
The book is set in a madrassah classroom, attached to a mosque. I wanted to open a window into a busy mosque. For people to meet an Imam and a Muslim community. Naturally, when a story is set in a mosque, the reader learns about Muslim life, which is wonderful. Creating understanding of different cultures is very important. Before this series, I’m not sure what a reader’s understanding of an Imam would be, but it will get a lot clearer through the series!
What is the importance of being inclusive and representing diverse backgrounds and experiences in books, especially those for children?
The importance is two-fold. Firstly, children from other backgrounds get to learn about different cultures and the practices within those cultures. Education creates empathy and builds bridges. These stories also highlight how much people of different backgrounds have in common, which is a lot more than things we do differently. And secondly, when a child picks up a book with a main character from their culture, they enjoy that reading experience because of how much they can relate. It makes them feel proud that others are reading about their culture and it makes them confident to be themselves because maybe if it's in books, then people understand them.
Can you describe your writing process? How do you maintain a childlike perspective while crafting your story?
My writing process is very intuitive. I let the story lead me. This means I have very little plotted out when I begin to write!
A child-like perspective is maintained by being very much in tune with my inner child. I can be a big kid sometimes. I love kids and pick up lots from the children in my family. Raising two boys meant that I knew exactly how a young boy might think or speak, which was fantastic for writing Planet Omar. And now, I spend a lot of time with my nieces and am learning how different they are!
What do you think makes your story unique?
I think uniqueness comes from the characters most distinctly. Other than that, I don’t think I’ve read a whodunnit mystery set in a mosque yet!
