Welcome to the Back Matter Break Down! Today, we are all in for a treat! I’m bringing you an interview with author Razeena Omar Gutta to talk about the back matter in her debut, Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs. The back matter in this book is informative, fun and really unique–but also a perfect addition to this story about creativity and culture! Let’s dive in!
Book: Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs
Author: Razeena Omar Gutta
Illustrator: Manal Mirza
Publisher / Year: Barefoot Books, 2022
Topics: Fashion, Creativity, Muslim Culture
Blurb: “Hana has a humongous collection of hijabs and accessories – and her hijab is always styled superbly. But when her overflowing collection gets a little out of hand, Hana knows something needs to be done . . . and comes up with a clever plan for sharing her talents and possessions with her community! Young makers will chuckle along with this humorous tale of creative problem-solving and learning to help others.”
Word Count: 524
Back matter word count? Around 300 words
At what part of the writing/revising/publishing process did you start working on your back matter?
Once most of the editing of the manuscript was done, and the illustrations were well underway giving us a good feel for the book, we started looking at ideas for back matter. There were a few things not reflected in the manuscript that I needed to clarify and explain in the back matter, and we had also been given some great feedback by beta readers within Barefoot Books that made us realise we needed some further explanation.
How did working with an agent or editor affect your back matter?
Being my very first traditionally published picture book, and first time working with an editor, it was great to have some guidance on the matter. We discussed a few options and then decided on the interview style.
Why did you decide to do a greeting in the voice of your main character to explain more about hijabs instead of a more typical author’s note or fact box?
Hana is such a vibrant character and the way she’s illustrated by Manal made her a character that I felt kids would just resonate with. By the end of the book, we just loved her personality (and readers have said the same) and so it was just natural that she should flow on into the back matter.
How did the interview section come about? Was that your idea or the editor? Who came up with questions?
The interview was my idea, and I came up with the questions, but it was after some prompting from my editor that it would be great to make the back matter a bit creative. Also, hijab is something personal – and since Manal and I are both hijab wearing Muslim women, I felt it was a good way to get our own points of view across and our own journeys too. In a world that doesn’t always understand hijabs, or the choices Muslim women make, it was a good opportunity for us to speak up and make our views heard.
Did any other books help inspire your back matter content?
I can’t say that they did. We wanted it to be unique.
What do you hope readers will get from your back matter content? Is your back matter aimed for kid readers, adults or both?
It’s definitely aimed at both. I think Muslim kids really resonate with our interview answers, and it helps non-Muslim adult readers explain the hijab to non-Muslim kids in a way that accessible and authentic to our experiences.
I hope Muslim girls in particular will feel inspired and confident in the choices they make once they’re older, with regard to the hijab. And I hope non-Muslim readers close the book with a better understanding and appreciation for Muslim women and girls.
What advice do you have for any picture book writers who are working on their back matter?
Keep the back matter authentic and true to yourself and the book. If there’s a strong connection between yourself and the story, it would really enhance the experience of the book if you’re comfortable to share that. But also, only share what’s comfortable to you. Make it concise and accessible to readers in creative ways does help readers connect with the book. We have had many compliments on the back matter of our book.
What picture book with excellent back matter would you recommend to writers who want to study a good example?
I do love the back matter of Halal Hot Dogs by Susannah Aziz because we get to see the author’s family pictures and learn more about her. I also really loved The Night Before Eid by Aya Khalil for the same reason.
Thank you, Razeena! I think you will inspire other authors to explore new and creative options in their back matter…and I think Hana would approve!
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Purchase copies of Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs: https://www.barefootbooks.com/hanas-hundreds-of-hijabs
Purchase Maymoona’s Moon: https://www.hardiegrant.com.au/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/maymoona_s-moon-by-razeena-omar-gutta/9781761211898
Thank you for reading!
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Judy Campbell-Smith 