Shenaaz is a cultural hybrid writer, who grew up in East Africa in a fusion of cultures: Bantu-Swahili, East Indian, Arabic and Colonial British, and lives in Calgary. She holds an M.F.A. in Writing for children and young adults from Vermont College.

Her books span all ages from picture books to short stories and novels. She has presented in schools across Canada and in events as Children's Literature Round Table, Word on the Street Festival, Family Fair in Pincher Creek and workshops in Ottawa, Okotoks and Calgary. Being a teacher once, Shenaaz considers teaching as one of the most honorable professions. A strong advocate of literacy, her presentation hopes to catch them all including the falling or reluctant readers. She likes to inspire and motivate children to read and believes that words have power to change lives - especially young minds.

CHILD OF DANDELIONS, Front Street, USA, 2008. ISBN 978-1-932425-93-2 Grade level 7-12

A breathtaking account of a young girl's determination to triumph over a devastating historical event; it illustrates themes of friendship, clash of cultures, home and identity and ethnic cleansing.

This is a gripping tale full of beauty and horror, friendship and betrayal, family and country, love and fear. It opened up a whole new world to me, peopled with rich believable characters. Nanji never lets up on the tension inherent in the story. Historical writing at its best. Carol Matas (Award winning author of some 38 novels)

In language that evokes the color, flavor and mystery of Africa and India, Nanji chronicles the experiences of an Indian girl in Uganda during the time of Idi Amin's expulsion order. As Sabine awakens to the violence and oppression in her community and country, she also awakens to the healing power of tolerance as only the young can. Told to the unbroken beat of a day-by-day countdown, Nanji tells a suspenseful and important tale. Martine Leavitt (Award winning author of 7 novels)

INDIAN TALES, Barefoot Books, U.K. & USA, 2007. ISBN 978-1-84686-083-6 Grade level 4-6 (Also translated into Italian and Korean languages)

Readers will come across magical spirits, sneaky robbers and brave heroines. The stories will transfer cultural and moral values of kindness, honesty, courage and wisdom. You can compare the Indian myths and legends to Greek myths in Social Studies.

Many stories in this entertaining collection should be read over and over again. B.B.C. Asian Network UK in a radio interview on Indian Tales.

Part folklore, part cultural tour, each story has the tight structure, a well-honed pace and a distinctive authentic flavor. Filled with East Indian customs and flavors and secrets and brave and silly characters, this savory collection is well suited for independent reading aloud and multicultural studies. Linda Perkins - American Library Association Booklist Magazine

Nanji is a graceful storyteller; her retellings captivate. She not only provides readers with a brief history of India, from the Indus Valley civilization (2600 BCE to 1500 BCE) to the Mughal dynasties (which reached the height of its power in 1700 CE), but paints a realistic picture of modern India as well. In addition, each story is preceded by a well researched note that offers readers fun facts about each of the states from which the story came. Pooja Makhijani - 2007 Winner of Cybil Award

AN ALIEN IN MY HOUSE. Second Story Press Canada, 2003. ISBN 1-896764-77-0 Grade level 2-4 (Also translated into Korean and German.)

The wacky story reveals the sometimes confusing process of changing our perceptions of people especially when they are involved are at opposite stages in life.

This imaginative full-color picture book will delight readers as it explores the problems that different generations have in understanding each other. As Ben and the Alien learn more about each other, they discover that they have more in common than they ever would have thought. Susan Perren, Globe and Mail

TREASURE FOR LUNCH. Second Story Press Canada 2000. ISBN 1-896764-32-0 Grade level K-2 (Also translated into Malayan in India)

Wonderfully funny - a story about celebrating and being comfortable with one's heritage. At the same time, it's a lovely tale of acceptance of difference.

Allows readers to understand others, while affirming their own diverse backgrounds. Manitoba Education recommends for Physical Education/Health & Learning Resources

Another snowy book with a lot of charm is Shenaaz Nanji's Treasure for Lunch. Snow is the medium that joins children of many different backgrounds together on the toboggan hill. Illustrator Cathcart's pictures, framed with whimsical borders, make winter look like a lot of exciting fun. The lovely message and delightful visual support make Treasure for Lunch a shining snow diamond among books on winter for Canadian children. The St. Catharine's Standard

THE OLD FISHERMAN OF LAMU. TSAR 1995 Canada ISBN 1996 0-920661-53-X Grade level 3-4

Set on the east coast of Africa. Mzee, an old fisherman, catches one fish at a time, sells half of what he catches, and appears to be lazy. Mzungu, a smooth-talking foreigner, tries to change Mzee's ways, but a young boy shows Mzee the smarter of the two. Includes a map and brief notes at the end. Focus on Environment and Colonialism.

The story is rhythmic, and the excellent, imaginative black line drawings support the ideas beautifully.

TEENY WEENY PENNY. TSAR Publications 1993 Canada ISBN 0-920661-36-X Grade level K- 2

A little girl finds a lucky penny and cannot part with it.

A simple story which reflects the innocence of the special times of childhood and is a wonderful book to read just for the gleeful rhythm of the language. It's also a fun way to introduce a unit on money. Not only does the money have monetary value, but to Shaira the penny becomes a sentimental lucky piece. Wonderful for primary students being introduced to money math for the first time.
Canadian Content (Resources for Classroom Teachers)

GRANDMA'S HEART. TSAR Publications 1993. Canada. ISBN 0-920661-35-2 Grade level K- 2

A little girl, who loves her grandmother, struggles to share her with her family. Exploration of Feelings is central in the story.

A heartwarming story about the love between a little girl and her grandma. They have a wonderful time together, but at the same time, Shaira struggles with the emotions of love, jealousy, and hurt and with her place within the family. She comes to realize that there is lots of love to go around and that love remains even if the loved person goes away for a while. This is a beautiful story for a theme on families, especially for primary students.
Canadian Content (Resources for Classroom Teachers)

SAND CASTLE PARTY, Chirp, Let's Read Section Summer 2005, Canada Grade level: K-1

One hot summer day, a little girl enters the big sandcastle she has built on the beach. Particularly suited for Early Readers.

Shenaaz works with students from ECS to Grade 12 and adults. She is happy to design a new program or tailor her presentations and writing workshops to meet your needs.

1. Her presentation (45 min to 1 hr depending on the grade level) begins with a Show and Tell that will detail The Birth of a Book from a scribbled draft to a published book; the children will get a chance to peek into the life of a writer and appreciate the craft of writing. The second part will include playing one or two writing games adapted from her popular workshop, Games, Games, Games Galore. The last part will be a reading from one of her books appropriate to the age of the audience.

2. Her workshop Games, Games, Games Galore (75 min. for Grades 3 to Grades 9) will take the children on a Safari of Imagination to far-away places; they will create never-before-seen creatures on Planet X and design the environment in which their new creatures will live, open a monster cafe and plan monster menus. Other games include: Treasure Hunt, Spinning the Wheel, Silly Stories, Fortune-teller Tales, Freaky Fairy Tales, Let's Fight, and making a Wish Book.

3. Alternatively, she can deliver a Power Point Presentation (45 min. for Grades 10-12) entitled One Button Plastic Surgery, a humorous approach to the Importance of Revision in Writing. The surgery is performed on Frosty the SnowLady, who ardently desires to achieve a Barbie-like dream figure, a fun-packed session that will leave the audience clamoring for more.

4. Examples of her other presentations are: Elements, Types and Morals of Folk Tales, and Humor in Picture Books (her thesis in the MFA Creative Writing Program).

Ross Annett Children's Literature Finalist, Writers Guild of Alberta 2005
Blue Spruce Finalist, Ontario Library Association 2004 Top Ten Notable Picture Books
Our Choice List, Canadian Children's Book Centre 2001.
First Novel Finalist, Groundwood Books 20th Anniversary Contest 1998
Sunshine Sketches for Humor, Calgary Writers Association 1996
Brendon Donelly Children's Literature, Runner up 1994