At the buzzing halls of the 16th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, one theme stood out: stories that reflect real children — their cultures, their emotions, and their everyday challenges. And at the heart of this conversation was British-Pakistani immigrant stories, brought to life by author and educator Maryam Hassan.
The panel discussion, “Crafting Stories That Resonate with Today’s Children,” featured voices from around the world: Australian author Andrea Rowe, Arabic literature expert Dr Bayan ‘Amr, and British-Pakistani teacher-writer Maryam Hassan, moderated by mindfulness coach Dr Sandy Zanella.
Each of them spoke from personal experience, but it was Hassan’s passionate voice that struck a universal chord — especially for children growing up between cultures.
Stories That Feel Like Home
“I’m a Montessori teacher who has taught in the UK and the US,” said Hassan. “I saw immigrant kids struggling — not just with English, but with feeling like outsiders. That’s why I began writing: so they could find themselves in stories.”
Her books center on small but powerful moments — like bringing parathas to school or dealing with misunderstandings at lunchtime — and they spotlight characters from South Asian backgrounds. These British-Pakistani immigrant stories give children a mirror to see themselves and a bridge for others to understand.
“You don’t need to be an immigrant to connect,” Hassan explained. “But if you are, these stories can feel like a lifeline.”
Emotions, Identity & Joy
Andrea Rowe, author of the award-winning Jetty Jumping, emphasized that stories come from everyday childhood bravery. “I found inspiration in scraped knees, quiet fears, and nature’s moods,” she said. “Kids experience the world in feelings — and good stories reflect that.”
Dr Bayan ‘Amr brought in the power of heritage, advocating for modern takes on Arab folktales. “Stories like The Ugly Duckling work because they show transformation. Our own traditions hold that same magic.”
And that’s where Hassan chimed in again — reminding the audience that the problem isn’t a lack of powerful stories from underrepresented cultures. “The voices are here. The talent is here. What’s missing is visibility. British-Pakistani immigrant stories, like so many others, deserve global platforms.”
A Future of Belonging Through British-Pakistani Immigrant Stories
As the festival continued with events like the Sharjah Animation Conference — where creators across MENA and Africa discussed diversity in animation — one message was clear: children need stories that reflect the world as it truly is.
And thanks to voices like Maryam Hassan’s, British-Pakistani immigrant stories are helping lead the way — one page at a time.
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