Tunisian Children’s Book Author Samar Mezghanni

Although there are other things going on in the world, it’s hard (for me) to think of anything outside of Tunisia today. So I thought I’d say a few words about Tunisian children’s book author Samar Mezghanni, who—while only in her early twenties—has published more than a dozen books.

Of course, with self-publishing, that could be true of anyone, but Mezghanni also won the Tunisian national prize for children’s books at the age of twelve.

In a 2009 interview with Menassat, Mezghanni said that she is most proud of a book she wrote about her father’s death a few years ago, دعوني أحلم.

Mezghanni also told the publication:

I feel that there is a lack of inspiration and self-esteem among many of us. We don’t have enough young Arab role models. We just look to the Americans. Young people need to be inspired. They need to be involved in decision-making. Don’t bring 50-year olds to a conference about youth empowerment, for example. Bring the youth instead. Make them feel it’s about them.

You can follow recent updates from Mezghanni on Twitter; she’s at SamarMEZ.