Media Bio

Tasneem Dairywala is a children’s author, illustrator, and South Asian artist with a BFA from OCAD University—but most of her education comes from reading with her daughter. Her self-published picture books, like The Little Elf Finds His Spark and The Little Fairy Finds Her Glow, have become Amazon bestsellers in categories ranging from Children’s Inspirational & Personal Growth to Children’s Books on Manners. Drawing on her heritage, experiences as a mom, and life as someone living with a disability, Tasneem creates stories that help kids navigate complex emotions and celebrate what makes them unique.

Her creative journey isn’t confined to picture books. Tasneem’s work has appeared in publications such as The Shallot and Lived Magazine, and her paintings have been shown in galleries across Ontario. Along the way, she’s received support from mentors like art director Giuseppe Castellano and editor Sarah Harvey, as well as grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council.

As a proud member of The Writers’ Union of Canada and founder of Art Ignite—a non-profit that brings creative workshops to schools and libraries—Tasneem is passionate about using art to spark positive change in communities. She lives in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, with her husband and daughter, always exploring new ways to share her love for art and storytelling.

For media inquiries, please email tdairywala@gmail.com.

To learn more about Tasneem, download this Tip Sheet.