About Salim

Salim Mansoor is a children's book author with a passion for creating stories that celebrate the richness of the diverse world we live in.

 

He grew up a child of mixed heritage and struggled, as every mixed child does, to understand who he was, and where he fit in. Most mixed children try very hard to be one or the other, out of a desire to belong. It’s usually hard for them to accept that they are not just one or the other, and also that in reality they are both, culturally. It is similar to being raised bilingual: you are not half English-speaking and half French-speaking, but in fact both fully English-speaking and fully French-speaking. It is also usually not obvious to mixed children that being dual culture is a great thing, because it gives them one more perspective than the one or the other. It’s only when you get older that you understand what a superpower that really is. 

 

It’s confusing enough to grow up with mixed heritage, but the world has gotten smaller. Not only do we have more and more mixed couples having mixed babies, but the word ‘mixed’ needs to take on a broader lens. American children born of Greek parents, and German children born of British parents are also of mixed heritage. In Northern Ireland and India, a child of parents with different religions struggles as much as Salim did, perhaps more. Children of expats who grew up everywhere but home also struggle to understand themselves, and where they fit in. 

 

Salim’s books are intended to introduce the concept of identity in a safe way at an early age before it inevitably shows up in real life. His books are as much for the child as for the parents, who may not understand the crisis of identity that their child will go through, never having gone through it themselves.

 

Through his heartfelt storytelling, Salim aims to inspire young readers and promote empathy, understanding, and a love of culture. Learn more about Salim's journey, his inspiration, and the impact he aims to make with his children's books.