Nadia L. Hohn
Storyteller: Nadia L. Hohn
Nadia L. Hohn, M.Ed., is a world-traveling elementary school teacher and the award-winning author of several books for children, including A Likkle Miss Lou, published by Owlkids and the Malaika series, published by Groundwood Books. Her first picture book, Malaika’s Costume, was selected as the 2021 TD Book Giveaway and distributed to over 550,000 Canadian first graders. Nadia is a frequent presenter and advocate for diversity in children’s and young adult literature. In June 2020, in solidarity with #KidLit4BlackLives, she organized #KidLit4BlackLivesCanada. In 2014, she founded Sankofa’s Pen, a group to support 200+ aspiring and published Black Canadian kidlit authors and illustrators. Nadia is currently completing her MFA in creative writing. She teaches courses in writing for children at local colleges and universities. She is a proud alumnus of Highlights Foundation workshops.
On writing for children:
“The intersection between art and activism is where I see my stories and my role as a writer for children. Don’t forget education and have fun. I grew up in Toronto, searching for books featuring children who resembled me. There were few. As an author today, I feel it is my responsibility to give Black children a variety of ways to see themselves and help keep the doors open for diverse “kidlit/MG lit/YA lit creators”
What was the most valuable or memorable experience of AMPLIFY for you?
In this historic moment of racial injustices, loss, and isolation, reconnecting with many new and old African American writing colleagues provides a source of community and affirmation. Through Amplify, I found three contributors for my anthology to be published in 2023 and the illustrator of my upcoming picture book in 2024.
