Farida Zaman is a Toronto-based author and illustrator who is well known for her whimsical, uplifting picture book illustrations covering a wide breadth of subject matters, diversity and traditions and cultures from around the world. Farida’s debut board book as an author-illustrator of I Want To Be… A Gutsy Girls’ ABC, with two more picture books as the author and illustrator under contract coming out in fall 2023 and 2024 with renowned publishing houses in Canada. She has illustrated over 14 picture books, including Two Shoes, Blue Shoes, New Shoes!, My First Book of Hindi Words, and Korean Celebrations. Her favourite mediums are watercolour, gouache, acrylics and digital.

Born in Bangladesh, and having called many different countries home, including the UK, the US, and Canada, Farida describes herself as a global citizen, with a flair for illustrating stories related to different cultures, travel, history, and diverse lived experiences. She trained in fine art and illustration at the Chelsea School of Art and the Wimbledon School of Art in London, where she graduated top of her class with honours.

Farida teaches workshops classes  in illustration  and is a member of the Society of Illustrators in New York, SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book writers and Illustrators), and CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers).

When Farida is not writing and illustrating she is tending to her garden, playing with Pippa her dog, dreaming of her next trip or leafing through a beautiful picture book.

Publications

Samina Goes to a Wedding, written and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Owlkids, 2026

• Junior Library Guild Gold Standard

Meena Can’t Wait, written and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Orca Books, 2024

Aliya’s Secret- A Ramadan Tale, written and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Owl Books, Fall 2023

Ta-Da! A Story of Egg Donation, written by Ella Kay and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Second Story Press, September 2022

When Mom’s Away, written by Layla Ahmad and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Second Story Press, 2021

I Want To Be… A Gutsy Girls’ ABC, written and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Second Story Press, 2020

Korean Celebrations: Festivals, Holidays and Traditions, written by Tina Cho and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Tuttle Publishing, 2019

My First Book of Hindi Words, written by Rina Singh and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Tuttle Publishing, 2016

The Magic Beans, written by Margaret Hillert and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Norwood House Press, 2016

The Remarkable Journey of Josh’s Kippah, written by Barbara Elissa and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Kar-Ben Publishing, 2014

The Yoga Game, written by Kathy Beliveau and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Simply Read Books, 2012

Nearly Nonsense: Hoja Stories from Turkey, written by Rina Singh and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Penguin Random House, 2011

Count Your Way Through Iran, written by Jim Haskins & Kathleen Benson and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Lerner Publishing, 2007

Two Shoes, Blue Shoes, New Shoes, written by Sally Fitz-Gibbon and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2005

The Foolish Men of Agra and Other Tales of Mogul India, written by Rita Singh and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Key Porter Books, 1998

The Grandmother Doll, written by Alice L. Bartels and illustrated by Farida Zaman, Annick Press, 1993

Twitter: @fzamanart
Website: faridazaman.com
Instagram: fzamanart
BlueSky: @faridazaman.bsky.social