Please write a few short paragraphs about yourself in your own style, it can be anecdotal, professional, humorous or whatever you feel represents you in the best light to your readers.

Alhamdulillah, I am a working mum of two adorable littlies residing in the land Down Under, age 2+ and 4+. They are my source of pride and joy and I love being able to watch them grow every single day. I enjoy spending time with them and plan to one day travel the world with them, and show them the beautiful world that Allah (swt) has created for all of us. Being an avid reader from a young age it is only natural for me to adore writing stories just as much. Writing has always been a passion of mine and, after having kids, I feel that I should channel my passion into children’s books. I am also very much aware of the scarcity of high-quality children’s books suitable for Muslim kids, carrying Islamic themes that Muslim children can relate to; hence I decided to join forces with Greenbird Publishing and publish a book through them.

What inspired you to write Mummy says’?

My daughter, Ayra. She’s turning three soon and has started attending a local playschool. The teachers told me that on most days she would let them know what is good’ and not good’ to eat, and starts each sentence with My mummy says. Even my four-year-old son Adam knows not to eat lollies or candies and prefers veggies and fruits over those things. I know this because of the high amount of candies he bring home from school (they reward good behaviour using lollies) and throwing them in the rubbish bin instead of eating them behind my back!

But they still occasionally enjoy their chocolate chip bikkies (homemade without preservatives, and halal, of course). Nothing tastes as good and healthy as homemade food. Alhamdulillah, I like to think that I did a pretty good job educating them to be nutrition-savvy. And I truly believe that good habits like drinking plain water and eating healthy, wholesome food should be instilled in kids at a very young age. But the best way to teach them is of course through example, so I make sure I eat my vegetables as well and avoid unhealthy snack foods. You won’t find junk food in my house and I even politely request my house guests to consume their unhealthy’ food in their guest room as not to show a bad example to the kids. Even guests are encouraged to eat healthily as well.

What was your favourite book as a child?

This is a very hard question, because I have read so many books and have loved each and every one of them, but if I were to choose a writer, I’d have to say Enid Blyton, and one of the best series that I liked so much was The Naughtiest Girl’ series. I guess life in a boarding school intrigues me at that time. Due to the influence of the series, I accepted an offer to attend boarding school in my home country, Malaysia, at the tender age of 13, only to plead my mum yet again, to bring me back after only two weeks! What can I say? I love and miss my mum so much! I guess this somewhat proves that a book can have an impact on one’s life, especially young kids.

What are you reading right now?

I am currently reading The Status of Woman in Islam by Sheikh Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradawi which I find to be very enlightening and somewhat refreshing. It is very interesting to know that the common clichs’ on how women are mistreated in Islam, etc are usually due to local culture’ and low level of Islamic knowledge. Sheikh Yusuf has explained very beautifully as to why some rules regarding men and women might seem bias on the outside, but if looked at a different angle, it is actually for our own good. Indeed, Allah is the Most Wise.

If you could be any character in a book who would you choose?

Sara Crewe from the classic book A Little Princess. It was one of my favourite books (notice my fascination with boarding school when I was young) as well and I really loved her character as she is very compassionate, helpful and patient throughout her ordeal at a very young age. I could identify with her as she loves reading books and was full of imagination.

What message are you hoping to give to children reading your book?

The message that I hope the children get is to eat healthy wholesome food, with the emphasis on eating vegetables. Apart from observing the Islamic etiquette of eating (Sunnah) in this book, which to me is very important for all Muslim children to follow, they are also exposed to some basic nutrition knowledge. So at the very least they have an idea that the food that they eat is very important for their growth as it has an effect on them, and is not just something that mum and dad force them to eat during dinnertime. Who knows, by reading this book, it might inspire future nutritionists or the very least help create an awareness of eating wholesome food. As they say, you are what you eat.

I understand that this is your first children’s book – do you have plans to write more?

InsyaAllah, I plan to do so in the near future, if the opportunity arises. I have written a children’s book before with a similar theme but it was targeted for a different age group and was written in Malay.

You have an interesting background; tell us about your studies.

Alhamdulillah, I am given the opportunity to do research at a doctorate level at an Australian university. No prizes for guessing what my major or background is, given how passionate I am about healthy eating and food. My studies involve me working on a particularly beneficial grain legume, run numerous tests and treatments/processing to improve the taste (sensorial properties) of that particular grain without jeopardising its nutritional qualities. The improved version of the grain will then be incorporated into a food product.

What was your favourite food growing up?

I grew up in Malaysia, a well-known food haven, and so it’s hard to choose a food that I love, given my mixed-parentage of Malay, Indian, Pakistan and Arab. But if I were to choose only one food I was fond of growing up, it is a toss between egg thosai (dosa/dosai) with chicken curry or butter naan with tandoori chicken. But I love ikan bakar (grilled fish) with rice as well. And occasionally the mouth-watering rib eye steak or pizza are also high on my list. See, I told you I just love food so much, I can’t choose.

What advice would you give to other Muslim authors?

For the record, I don’t think I am qualified enough to give out advice, given that the number of books that I have written can be counted on just one hand. But since you insisted, I would say to be creative, think outside the box and remember anything that you dream of is achievable if you work hard, InsyaAllah. One more thing, your intention must be pure. Write for the sake of sharing knowledge, stories and ideas for the sake of the Ummah and the Deen, and not for profit or recognition. InsyaAllah Allah will help you in achieving your dreams.

Do you have a favourite illustrator?

I have to say Helen Oxenbury. The characters look so cute and the background pictures are very minimal (usually white), thus focusing more on her characters, which means less distraction, making it somewhat easier for little kids to read. Two of my children’s favourite books were illustrated by her: We’re going on a bear hunt and Ten little fingers and ten little toes.

Sherifah, thank you for your interview!

"Muslim kids will enjoy Mummy Says, easy to follow, colorful journey through all the main food groups."

Best-selling author, Ponn Sabra, AmericanMuslimMom.com

Sherifah Baharudin is a nutrition-savvy mother of two adorable children and lives in Australia. She has been an avid reader since a very young age and channels this passion into writing for children. Being very much aware of the scarcity of high-quality children’s books suitable for Muslim children living in the West, she hopes this book will not only be educational but fun too. Her interest in healthy eating is not only limited to her children, as she is currently carrying out research for her PhD in Nutrition. Her creative and passionate work ethic is admirable and this will be the first of many entertaining reads!