Children's Book Author and Freelance Editor

Rima and the Painter

★ "A tender testament to the healing power of art." — Booklist, starred review

“Drawing from her own experiences, Boukarim perfectly captures the creative genius and kind mannerisms of Bob Ross, as seen on his TV program The Joy of Painting, as she weaves a gentle tale of joy, healing, community, and the power of art.” — Kirkus Reviews

“This gentle ode to a beloved art instructor demonstrates how a sense of belonging can emerge from unexpected sources—and how creativity can transform despair into possibility.” — Publishers Weekly

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Mariam’s Dream: The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar and her Food Truck of Hope

★ NYPL Best Books of 2025

★ Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards (PADIBA) Commended Book

★ 2026 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List

“Uplifting and highly inspirational.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Food and words have long been an important part of Palestinian resistance. This uplifting picture book perfectly utilizes both while sharing a story of hope and liberation in the face of injustice.” — Hannah Moushabeck, award-winning author of Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine

“Mariam’s Dream (…) blows apart stereotypes of subservient Arab women and the helplessness of refugees.” — Cathy Camper, award-winning author of Ten Ways to Hear Snow, Arab Arab All Year Long!, and the Lowriders series

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Sundays Are For Feasts

★ The Canadian Children’s Book Center, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Fall 2025

“A winsome ode to Middle Eastern food and families.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“This story could serve as a tool for children who suffer from performance anxiety, as it ends with a message that what matters is that we try our best and not focus on what could go wrong, and that our efforts are recognized, whether we are successful or not.”

— Quebec Library Association

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Lost Words: An Armenian Story of Survival and Hope

★ New York Public Library Best Books of 2025

★ Kansas National Education Association’s Reading Circle Recommended Titles List 2025

“It is difficult to find the words to describe the type of loss a genocide can cause to a young child. I’ve been looking for something similar for my own son. This picture book is a good start to help explain loss and raise the many questions necessary to start the conversation.” — Serj Tankian, activist, artist, and lead vocalist for System of a Down

“Boukarim’s storytelling and Avedikian’s illustrations find the delicate balance between conveying the message while making it appropriate for children. This story is both heartbreaking and inspiring—a must-read.” — Sona Movsesian, Cohost of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

“Heartbreaking yet warmly tinged with hope.” — Kirkius Reviews

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The Zips and Eeloo Series

★ American Library Association, 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List

“[A] wonder-filled graphic novel introduction to the art of food preparation—with an extraterrestrial twist.”

— Foreword Reviews

“A mix of simple comedic ingredients with a few twists as garnish makes for a funny, fast read.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“Simple yet energetic dialogue combines with deliciously bright artwork, making the events of this goofy early reader graphic novel offering practically bounce off the page.”

— Publishers Weekly

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A Million Kites: Testimonies and Poems from the Children of Gaza

"This tiny-big book - as I like to call it - is a petition for life, a prayer for peace that arrives through the untarnished voices of the children of Gaza. Some of these children have died since sharing their childlike desires and pleas for peace."

— Myfanwy Woods-Jack, Author

" I believe this book will change the world. It will change hearts, perspectives, strengthen resolves, bring shifts. It is an honoring to the kids whose words are captured in it and countless, truly countless, others represented by those words and these gentle, at times darling, at times desperate illustrations. It is a gift to all of us as we listen, sit, witness, let the poems sink in, move us to action. A MILLION KITES, a million wishes for freedom."

— Danielle Davis, Author

"If I could peg this story with a one word review, I'd choose the word miraculous."

— E. G. Al Araj, Author

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"It was such a pleasure to work with Leila. Very professional, punctual, and extremely thorough! I learned so much from her in such a short period of time."

“I honestly don't know what to say about Leila to convey how amazing working with her has been.”

“I am so grateful for Leila. Without her help, I can honestly say my story wouldn’t have been a story at all. Her feedback felt above and beyond what I’d expect from an editing process.”

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