Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy

Summary: Omar is back with a big mystery to solve in the second installment of this imaginative, highly-illustrated series.Omar is always full of ideas! His family’s favorite mosque needs a new roof, and Omar’s money-raising plans are brilliant, especially the talent contest at school. It’s a huge success, but the next day, the money is missing! Omar needs all of his super-spy creativity to track down the thief. And when the truth is revealed, even Omar’s imaginative mind is blown! FAST PUB SCHEDULE: We have seen that series with fast pub schedules work well for hungry readers, so Books 1 and 2 will publish only 7 months apart, keeping Omar at the front of shelves and kids' minds. MORE BIG THEMES: Where Book 1 tackles issues such as islamaphobia, bullying, and being the "new kid" at school, this second book addresses similarly big issues that kids face as well: financial troubles, sibling rivalry, and not judging people too quickly. WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS: This is an important Own Voices series that Zanib Mian wrote for children who do not normally see themselves in stories about everyday struggles. PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS: Omar's wonderful point of view shows that with a little creativity and a lot of love, life's biggest problems can always be solved, even if it's not in the way you thought they would be. POIGNANT AND HUMOROUS: Omar's narration is friendly, funny, and accessible. It's a wonderful mixture of breezy and thoughtful as the highs and lows of the story play out. UK BUZZ COMING IN: The UK is getting a great response after publishing Book 1 in the Planet Omar series, and we are confident that with the expedited pub schedule and paper-over-board format, we'll have a positive response from American readers as well. ENERGETIC AND VISUAL PACKAGE: Illustrations and bold design throughout highlight Omar's big imagination and positive outlook on life. The paper-over-board format is perfect for backpacks and bus rides. Quotes:"This sequel to Accidental Trouble Magnet (2020) retains the lighthearted humor of the first and continues to seamlessly weave Islamic and Pakistani cultures and Arabic and Urdu terms into the everyday lives and practices of Omar’s British Pakistani family. . . . [It] focuses on the importance of community and the spaces that foster identity, growth, and love. A charming follow-up for an endearing hero." -Kirkus Reviews"This highly-illustrated mystery will be devoured by any kid that reads it . . . Perfect to bridge the chapter book/graphic novel divide." -Here & Now, WBURAuthor Bio: Zanib Mian was a science teacher before launching a small independent publisher, Muslim Children's Books. Passionate about representation in children's publishing, she is on the panel of judges for the prestigious Young Muslim Writers Awards.Nasaya Mafaridik is based in Indonesia. Self-taught, she has a passion for children's books and bright, colourful stationery.